E-Class (W124) 1984-1995: E 260, E 300, E 320, E 420, E 500 (Includes CE, T, TD models)

Need Advice: Rotted Wiring Harness

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Old Jun 16, 2008 | 07:45 PM
  #1  
odelay17's Avatar
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From: Wisconsin
95 Eclipse GST, 93 MB 300e
Need Advice: Rotted Wiring Harness

The car is a 93 300e.

I took my car to a reputable euro import mechanic.

I took it there because the car often randomly decides not to start. The car cranks and cranks, but wont fire. No fuel getting to injectors.

The mechanic found two issues. The minor issue was the replacement of an overvoltage relay. And the major issue was he said my wiring harness was rotted and was shorting itself out. They want about $1200 for the repair.

The engine bay has always looked very clean to me. And it has relatively low miles at ~116k. And i just find it hard to believe the whole thing is shot.

Also, in comparison of my benz motor compared to my eclipse, theres VERY few wires. My eclipse is a rats nest. While i cant find any wires under the hood of my benz. I am in progress of becoming an electrical engineer, and wires are nothing that have ever scared me.

What is your input?
Can i replace the problem wires myself?

I'm just not in the position to drop 1200 into a car that i only paid 2500 for.
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Old Jun 16, 2008 | 08:01 PM
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battlecat714's Avatar
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a TVR Cerbera Speed Twelve
Where are you located?
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Old Jun 16, 2008 | 08:16 PM
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Buy

the harness and replace it yourself.
http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/M104WireHarness
if you can find an upgraded harness in a wrecked model that someone is parting out that will save you some money.
ohlord
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Old Jun 16, 2008 | 10:49 PM
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Unfortunately the wiring harness isn't something you have much control over - for some strange & idiotic reason, Mercedes decided that a bio-degradeable harness was a stout choice for the best engineered model they had ever produced. Sucks for us, but there's no way around it.

I've seen harnesses as cheap as $500 & it is definitely something you can replace yourself if you're at least a little tech savvy.

Not trying to sound like an a$$, but next time you would be wise to do some research prior to purchasing a formerly expensive car on the cheap. Head gaskets, wiring harness & A/C system are the big 3 to look out for when eyeing up a w124 & well documented in just about all of the online forums.

Good luck with the car.
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Old Jun 16, 2008 | 11:19 PM
  #5  
odelay17's Avatar
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From: Wisconsin
95 Eclipse GST, 93 MB 300e
Well ive owned 1 300e prior and my father also had one. I ran my 91 300e up to 220k until it blew. The motor on this car looked realy solid and i didnt see a single sign of dry rot. In any case i thank you all for the oppinions and help.

I will look into more information.
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Old Jun 16, 2008 | 11:22 PM
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From: Wisconsin
95 Eclipse GST, 93 MB 300e
also im located in Wisconsin.

Where can you find the "upgraded" harness
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