wiring harness fix
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From: Washington, the State
1993 300CE Sportline
wiring harness fix
I read in the E Class Bible what appeared to be a cheap wiring harness fix. The wire that the insulation has fallen off can be wrapped in a piece of plastic cut from a plastic bottle and then covered with heat shrink. Has anyone a comment on this? It actually sounds like it would work.
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From: Sherman Oaks
2004 C240, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
The harness is cheapa nd an easy diy.
I don;t get why one would not try it themselves. it is simpy a manner of unplugging the harness starting at the main ecu, pluggin in the new one, then as you go along routing it and replacing the cable. don;t just unplug the whole thing, follow the cable and unconnect the old harness and connect the new on as you move along the line.
There is a diy article on mercedesshop about it. Harness cost like $300.00 or so, and probably a couple of hours of yoru time to put in yourself.
The harness is only a problem on the 1993 - 1995 models as far as I know.
My harness is original and my mech checked it and it is good, no problems.
Never heard of it needing to be done on any car earlier than 1993.
I don;t get why one would not try it themselves. it is simpy a manner of unplugging the harness starting at the main ecu, pluggin in the new one, then as you go along routing it and replacing the cable. don;t just unplug the whole thing, follow the cable and unconnect the old harness and connect the new on as you move along the line.
There is a diy article on mercedesshop about it. Harness cost like $300.00 or so, and probably a couple of hours of yoru time to put in yourself.
The harness is only a problem on the 1993 - 1995 models as far as I know.
My harness is original and my mech checked it and it is good, no problems.
Never heard of it needing to be done on any car earlier than 1993.
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Originally Posted by jpganman
What is the "E Class Bible"? - I had to replace the wiring harness for $1100. I like your suggested fix much better.
http://www.bentleypublishers.com/product.htm?code=gmob
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From: Motor City
95 E320 Cabriolet, 108K
Ashman... $300?.. I wish!!... This may be for diesel versions that have considerbly fewer electricals under the hood. I think the engine wiring harness for gassers is nearer $800-$1000.
I agree it's an easy job. The only tough part is undoing/doing the connection at the transmission without breaking the connector. There's not a lot of room for hands there.
I agree it's an easy job. The only tough part is undoing/doing the connection at the transmission without breaking the connector. There's not a lot of room for hands there.
Last edited by Kestas; Mar 5, 2006 at 10:00 PM.
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From: Murphy, Texas
1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E (W124-036), 2004 W211 E55
I have a '92 500E, and I replaced both the upper harness($517), and the lower alternator/starter harness($212). With only 60K miles, there were many wires completely missing the insulation, and touching each other. All of the wires had cracked insulation. Replacing it yourself is not a major job, but I for one, wouldn't let the problem go. There are too many electrical component issues that could crop up, and diagnosis could be very costly and hard to pin down. I would assume the harness' would be less expensive for non V8 cars.
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94 E320 Cab - engine wiring harness
At 85,000 miles, I tried the cheap fix on re-insulating the primary ignition wires and it worked for about 10 minutes, then the mis-fire returned. I strongly agree with recommendation to replace the harness, rather than try to repair. Part was a little over $1,000 from the local dealer and I completed the install in a little over 2 hours of straight forward work. Everything works fine now and there is no fear of frying some really expensive electronics - as if the harness wasn't enough.
Would like to have had MB step on resolving this issue, but...
Would like to have had MB step on resolving this issue, but...
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From: Jersey Shore
If your harness is cracked I suggest you replace it. By the time I knew my harness was in disrepair it checked out, and it took the Engine Control Unit (ECU) with it. All costing me an extra $2000.00 on top of the aprox $900.00 for the harness. The harness is an easy DIY. Note: The car has much more pep after these replacements.
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From: Manchester, CT
Yeah....the harness for the 500E (a W140 part) is not too expensive as the G man relays...wholesale you are looking at about $400+ for the upper and 150 for the lower. Lower one can be a PITA to do but really any of the upper harnesses are super easy to change yourself. A novice could do the upper in about 3 hours I'd say...took me 4 !! I think the 500E harness(es) are probably the worst to install out of all the W124s too.
Don't bother with a quick fix on any of them IMO. This stuff is getting much past their expected 10 year life span MB gave them. And its only a matter of time whether you have problems associated with the cheap materials MB went with.
And no one should pay $1000+ for any W124 harness, installed or not. Ouch !!
Defintely shop around for prices....or ask for help in locating them reasonably priced. Several on-line OEM part dealers come to mind.
Don't bother with a quick fix on any of them IMO. This stuff is getting much past their expected 10 year life span MB gave them. And its only a matter of time whether you have problems associated with the cheap materials MB went with.
And no one should pay $1000+ for any W124 harness, installed or not. Ouch !!
Defintely shop around for prices....or ask for help in locating them reasonably priced. Several on-line OEM part dealers come to mind.
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From: Henderson TN
95 E320 Wagon
Well, I need actual places where I can buy a harness. I have searched everywhere online and called about 6 dealerships, the answer is always the same, "the price is $1010. and no we will not discount it, and yes the dealership is the only place to get it." So I need some actual links or parts houses that carry the harness for my M104.092 I6. Believe me, I DO NOT want to pay 1010 for this but the options are just not there!
Please Help
Triggerman
Please Help
Triggerman
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From: Jersey Shore
Pricing has alot to do with dollar v.s. euro. I shopped around also & the best price I could find for the M104 harness was $878.00, buymbparts.com. That was last June. There is also some talk among MB techs that the (ECU) engine control units are reaching the end of life cycle.
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Mercedes-Benz w124
Originally Posted by YNVDIZW124
How come everyone has to replace this for soooo much money....i have a 20 year old benz and my mechanic told me i should change it but mine still runs like a champ...?
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From: west virginia
Originally Posted by triggerman
Well, I need actual places where I can buy a harness. I have searched everywhere online and called about 6 dealerships, the answer is always the same, "the price is $1010. and no we will not discount it, and yes the dealership is the only place to get it." So I need some actual links or parts houses that carry the harness for my M104.092 I6. Believe me, I DO NOT want to pay 1010 for this but the options are just not there!
Please Help
Triggerman
Please Help
Triggerman
c'mon you haven't searched everywhere...
caliber motors wholesale parts dept
partshop at mercedesshop.com
i bought 2 M-119 main harness' to get them for $530.00 each at the local stealer in october '05.
it's not the price of admission that bites you on a mercedes.
Last edited by ebennz; Mar 13, 2006 at 09:29 PM.
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From: Manchester, CT
Try this dealership in Connecticut...and drop my name (Jim with the 500E) and Ed in parts should give you a wholesale price. 1(800) 437-3361 ...or e-mail your inquiry to 'chparts@yahoo.com'. He may even ship for free! Git er done.
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From: Henderson TN
95 E320 Wagon
Tom @ BuyMBparts.com quoted me $869. + $18. shipping for the harness. There are at least 2 different ones for a 95 W124 3.2 I6 so you will need your vin. Mine was the "standerd" harness so the other one may or may not be higher. Thanks so much for the help guys!
Triggerman
Triggerman
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From: Manchester, CT
Man, that is still robbery IMO. How can an inline 6 harness be almost double the price of a V8 one? Let me find out what dealer cost is and list is for that motor. Stay tuned. Can you IM me your VIN or the part number(s)?
Keep shopping man.
Keep shopping man.
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Thread Starter
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From: Washington, the State
1993 300CE Sportline
no listing for 300 series
the only harness available for 1993 is
1993 Mercedes Benz
400SEL 500SEC
500SEL
http://www.autopartsworld.com/merced...ness_part.html
dang!
1993 Mercedes Benz
400SEL 500SEC
500SEL
http://www.autopartsworld.com/merced...ness_part.html
dang!
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From: Jersey Shore
In my harness shopping experience, the M104 harness has been more expensive than the others. You'd think it'd be cheaper. It's more in demand, its a 6 not V8.
Last edited by ShoreBenz; Mar 16, 2006 at 07:45 PM.
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From: Manchester, CT
Wow, I'm totally surprised...you guys are 100% right. Dealer list is $1010 as of yesterday; there is one here in CT that they'll let go for $760. Still robbery IMO. 
But probably the best dealer price around. Not sure if I'd trust an aftermarket one myself though. At least with a dealer one you get a 1 year warranty on it.
Remind me NOT to get a MB with that motor !! Can't imagine what it will be another 8-10 years down the road when it'll need another one.
But probably the best dealer price around. Not sure if I'd trust an aftermarket one myself though. At least with a dealer one you get a 1 year warranty on it.Remind me NOT to get a MB with that motor !! Can't imagine what it will be another 8-10 years down the road when it'll need another one.
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From: Berkshire England
E320 Coupe
Jim's 500E
What you may not have realised is that the 3.2 104 in line 6 is the most advanced engine system fitted to the 124 series.
It has fully integrated fuelling and ignition controlled by one main engine management computer.
Unlike your older fashioned system which still used distributors, the 104 is all solid state with no rotating or moving parts.
The engine wiring harness is therefore more complex as it has more terminating points and plugs on it, than on your engine.
It was so good it was carried over to the next generation E class the 210 model.
What you may not have realised is that the 3.2 104 in line 6 is the most advanced engine system fitted to the 124 series.
It has fully integrated fuelling and ignition controlled by one main engine management computer.
Unlike your older fashioned system which still used distributors, the 104 is all solid state with no rotating or moving parts.
The engine wiring harness is therefore more complex as it has more terminating points and plugs on it, than on your engine.
It was so good it was carried over to the next generation E class the 210 model.
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From: Jersey Shore
Jim, as far as I Know the insulation has been changed. I'm told, there is no aftermarket wiring harness. After market companies are trying, but can not get the connecters/terminals. kth286, I believe the 124/M104 is now licensed & still being built in Asia for the asian market.
Last edited by ShoreBenz; Mar 16, 2006 at 08:13 PM.
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From: Manchester, CT
That's good info to hear 
....one would think they got it right now after all the trouble and complaints MB had on them materials they used originally.
The M119 upper harness has close to 20 connectors...how many on the 3.2 24? In my mind it have have to be double the connectors to justify double the price. And didn't the W210 use the 'old' M119 motor for some of its early V8s? Seeing in how the M119 was used for 10+ years and the 3.2 M104 for not nearly as long, you decide which is the better motor, putting power and torque aside. Funny, but a friend has a 210 with the almost the exact same M119 as mine...it was prepeared by RennTech for the 1997 One Lap of America.
Anyway, considering a 3.2 M104ed W124 is worth maybe 7-9$ USD...I sure would be pissed if I bought one and found out it needed a part that cost over 10% of its residual value for it to run right... but, hey , that's just me.
....one would think they got it right now after all the trouble and complaints MB had on them materials they used originally.The M119 upper harness has close to 20 connectors...how many on the 3.2 24? In my mind it have have to be double the connectors to justify double the price. And didn't the W210 use the 'old' M119 motor for some of its early V8s? Seeing in how the M119 was used for 10+ years and the 3.2 M104 for not nearly as long, you decide which is the better motor, putting power and torque aside. Funny, but a friend has a 210 with the almost the exact same M119 as mine...it was prepeared by RennTech for the 1997 One Lap of America.
Anyway, considering a 3.2 M104ed W124 is worth maybe 7-9$ USD...I sure would be pissed if I bought one and found out it needed a part that cost over 10% of its residual value for it to run right...
but, hey , that's just me.
