All C32 owners!
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Orlando FL
CLK55 AMG
All C32 owners!
If you've had the dreadful throttle actuator malfunction, it is NOT your actuator. It's the electric plug on the actuator. It has a loose connection and pulls a code for the throttle actuator. I fixed mine this way by zip tying the plug agains the intake manifold. It will loose it's connection and go out. I'll post a video later. A way to diagnose this is to turn the key to accessories and listen for a high pitch buzz that comes from the actuator. If you don't hear it then push on the plug towards the intake manifold until you hear it. Then zip tie it so it stays.
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From: Orange County
a land yacht.
Well I just replaced my TB which temporarily fixed the problem...but it's back again. The TB is an E55 one and used so it could have gone bad as well I suppose.
When I get the symptoms, unplugging and plugging it back in seems to temporarily fix the problem.
I will try the zip tie today and update how it goes.
When I get the symptoms, unplugging and plugging it back in seems to temporarily fix the problem.
I will try the zip tie today and update how it goes.
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From: Houston, TX
C32/C55 AMG
I just can't see much that can go bad with the throttle body and it should be a fairly straight forward rebuild if something does go wrong. Looks to be nothing but gears and few other things.
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From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
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From: Northern Suburb of Indianapolis
CLS55
what are the symptoms when this issue occurs (want to log this thread in back of my head for future reference, but I'm not even sure what problems this fixes). When the throttle actuator is not working, how does the car behave?
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Langley BC Canada
2003 C32 AMG
I tried the zip tie route with mine and cleaning the connections but it didn't work for me. You made a good point about the method of testing the connector though. The throttle body off the E55 I used has a sealed connector on the throttle body. It is obvious Mercedes knew the plug had issues.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Orange County
a land yacht.
well it has been a couple weeks since I zip-tied the plug together and so far so good...I hope I am not speaking too soon but I think it fixed it!!!
Holy cuss that saved me a lot of time and money and effort! thanks c32kompressor!
Holy cuss that saved me a lot of time and money and effort! thanks c32kompressor!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 769
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From: Orlando FL
CLK55 AMG
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32
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From: South Georgia
C32 AMG, E55 AMG (w211)
I've had this p0120 problem as well since I got the c32 and have tried everything. I've really just lived with it since it goes away usually if I reset the battery, clear the code, or wiggle the plug.. Good to hear that it might just be my plug.
