E500 Wiring Harnes
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 809
Likes: 74
From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
if it was recently replaced, I wouldn't worry about it.. It was an issue with the cars made before the mid 90's when the updated the harness was introduced. Easiest way to check if your car needs a new harness is to look at some of the sensors around the engine and inspect the wiring around the connectors. If the wiring insulation appears brittle or is cracking and coming apart or falling off, I would definitely look to replace the harness. However, it your harness is still nice and flexible and doesnt appear to be cracking or falling apart, I wouldn't waste your money on it..
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
'09 E550 4-Matic
if it was recently replaced, I wouldn't worry about it.. It was an issue with the cars made before the mid 90's when the updated the harness was introduced. Easiest way to check if your car needs a new harness is to look at some of the sensors around the engine and inspect the wiring around the connectors. If the wiring insulation appears brittle or is cracking and coming apart or falling off, I would definitely look to replace the harness. However, it your harness is still nice and flexible and doesnt appear to be cracking or falling apart, I wouldn't waste your money on it..
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Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 696
Likes: 4
From: Motor City
95 E320 Cabriolet, 108K
The brittle insulation problem has a hard time hiding. It should readily present itself during inspection.
Otherwise, I believe the general rule of thumb is that the engine wiring harness should be replaced once the problem is uncovered, then it should be good for the life of the vehicle, unless you're one of the few unlucky ones where the wiring was replaced very early with stock made from the same bad insulation.
Otherwise, I believe the general rule of thumb is that the engine wiring harness should be replaced once the problem is uncovered, then it should be good for the life of the vehicle, unless you're one of the few unlucky ones where the wiring was replaced very early with stock made from the same bad insulation.
Last edited by Kestas; Dec 30, 2009 at 02:16 PM.
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: Orange County, California
1993 040 500E
rol607,
My 93 500E is still on the original harness which is now 15 years old and has 113,000 miles on it.
If you are not having problems don't mess with it. You will spend around $500 to $700 just for the harness parts unless you get real lucky and find a bargin somewhere but it is not likely.
I'm not having any problems to this point although I do have a new harness in the garage that I bought 2 years ago.
What can cause problems if you have to move the wiring to repair something else underneath. Moving the wires will break the brittle insulation and then the wires start shorting out.
My 93 500E is still on the original harness which is now 15 years old and has 113,000 miles on it.
If you are not having problems don't mess with it. You will spend around $500 to $700 just for the harness parts unless you get real lucky and find a bargin somewhere but it is not likely.
I'm not having any problems to this point although I do have a new harness in the garage that I bought 2 years ago.
What can cause problems if you have to move the wiring to repair something else underneath. Moving the wires will break the brittle insulation and then the wires start shorting out.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: Orange County, California
1993 040 500E
Remove the air filter. Then you will see it.
It is wiring harness that connects to the 8 fuel injector nozzels. A single connector wire at each injector going back into a single wrapped harness.
If your car is running OK don't move the wiring just take a good look at it.
Check the connections. If it is bad you should be able to see some cracked insulation. The wires are most likely brittle and moving them around can cause damage.
It is wiring harness that connects to the 8 fuel injector nozzels. A single connector wire at each injector going back into a single wrapped harness.
If your car is running OK don't move the wiring just take a good look at it.
Check the connections. If it is bad you should be able to see some cracked insulation. The wires are most likely brittle and moving them around can cause damage.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: Orange County, California
1993 040 500E
This answer may be a little late on this thread but I know of no new environmently friendly harness.
Everybody I know with a E500E whether 92 or up to 94 is dealing with the same problem which is the insulation becoming brittle and eventually breaking off of the wiring and shorting out.
If you want a barrage of answers on this subject go to www.500ecstasy.com
Everybody I know with a E500E whether 92 or up to 94 is dealing with the same problem which is the insulation becoming brittle and eventually breaking off of the wiring and shorting out.
If you want a barrage of answers on this subject go to www.500ecstasy.com
