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The MB roadside assistance tech who responded to a recent non-start situation could not tell me where this wire goes... only that it's a grounding wire (I could have guessed that myself, LOL).
When my new battery was installed two years ago, it apparently was allowed to sit on this wire by mistake, so the wire is now frayed back by the battery. I've wrapped it with electrical tape for now to keep it from shorting anywhere.
Any help appreciated.
Just teasing about the prizes...
The MB roadside assistance tech who responded to a recent non-start situation could not tell me where this wire goes... only that it's a grounding wire (I could have guessed that myself, LOL).
When my new battery was installed two years ago, it apparently was allowed to sit on this wire by mistake, so the wire is now frayed back by the battery. I've wrapped it with electrical tape for now to keep it from shorting anywhere.
Any help appreciated.
Just teasing about the prizes...


Just teasing about that as well.



German cars usually use brown wires to connect to ground. Called circuit 31 on many drawings. Mercedes allows repairs of wiring issues, and thinks one should use yellow wire for repairs. This makes it easier for future tech's to see where there has been work done. This makes me think an outsider worked on the car.
One of my minions had a problem with their SL discharging the battery. Under the hood I found a similar wire. It was not on the car wiring diagram. It also disappeared into a harness. Chasing it down with a borescope, I found a 8x6x1 inch brick wedged between the inner wheel liner and the sheet metal inside the engine compartment. I pulled the brick out and had a look at it on the bench. The battery drain stopped when I took this box out.
Inside was a long dead (it was a MY 1995 car) gel battery. It said Kenwood on the label, but inside was a radio receiver and transmitter. It was a LoJack unit. The current driver bought the car 2nd hand and had no idea that there was a LoJack, so when the internal battery quit, it drew current from the car battery.
Is it possible you have such a device?




German cars usually use brown wires to connect to ground. Called circuit 31 on many drawings. Mercedes allows repairs of wiring issues, and thinks one should use yellow wire for repairs. This makes it easier for future tech's to see where there has been work done. This makes me think an outsider worked on the car.
One of my minions had a problem with their SL discharging the battery. Under the hood I found a similar wire. It was not on the car wiring diagram. It also disappeared into a harness. Chasing it down with a borescope, I found a 8x6x1 inch brick wedged between the inner wheel liner and the sheet metal inside the engine compartment. I pulled the brick out and had a look at it on the bench. The battery drain stopped when I took this box out.
Inside was a long dead (it was a MY 1995 car) gel battery. It said Kenwood on the label, but inside was a radio receiver and transmitter. It was a LoJack unit. The current driver bought the car 2nd hand and had no idea that there was a LoJack, so when the internal battery quit, it drew current from the car battery.
Is it possible you have such a device?
BTW, this wire does NOT appear to be any modification. It weaves seamlessly into a factory installed harness, and appears to be just as old as the rest of the wiring. Nor has my service dealer had the car long enough or for any past service reason to justify such a modification.
So, I think it's an OEM wire.
Some other guesses, please.
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