Need help restoring a 95' E420 W124
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8
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From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
E420 W124
Need help restoring a 95' E420 W124
Hi everyone,
I am new to this forum and for some part the MB world. I recently had the opportunity to buy a 1995 E420 with 130K miles on it, (for a very good price). Champagne/Tan interior. For the most part the previous owner did nothing but drive it, completely neglecting to even consider an oil change. I would really appreciate advice as to what common issues I will find as I restore the mechanical condition of the car, (which runs ok but a little rough in idle), I have worked on other European cars before but never on MB's. I can see the valve cover gaskets are leaking, also some residue along the hydraulic steering reservoir, (which was running on air), and oil filter housing. I had to replace the front disc rotors and drivers side front caliper. For the most part that is what is visible. The check engine light is on, I ran the built-in-diagnostics code reader and it gave me faults in codes 25, 26 and 19, (which I still can't figure out what it means). In a nutshell I have a nice and somewhat expensive project at hand, any help on DIY mechanics and places to find parts at good prices are appreciated. Oh, and the front passenger side Headlight glass is chipped and missing the wiper blades, this issue also needs to be addressed, but like they say, "Function before beauty".
Thanks in advance for any tips and where I should look through in the forums.
DH
I am new to this forum and for some part the MB world. I recently had the opportunity to buy a 1995 E420 with 130K miles on it, (for a very good price). Champagne/Tan interior. For the most part the previous owner did nothing but drive it, completely neglecting to even consider an oil change. I would really appreciate advice as to what common issues I will find as I restore the mechanical condition of the car, (which runs ok but a little rough in idle), I have worked on other European cars before but never on MB's. I can see the valve cover gaskets are leaking, also some residue along the hydraulic steering reservoir, (which was running on air), and oil filter housing. I had to replace the front disc rotors and drivers side front caliper. For the most part that is what is visible. The check engine light is on, I ran the built-in-diagnostics code reader and it gave me faults in codes 25, 26 and 19, (which I still can't figure out what it means). In a nutshell I have a nice and somewhat expensive project at hand, any help on DIY mechanics and places to find parts at good prices are appreciated. Oh, and the front passenger side Headlight glass is chipped and missing the wiper blades, this issue also needs to be addressed, but like they say, "Function before beauty".
Thanks in advance for any tips and where I should look through in the forums.
DH
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 100
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From: Phoenix, AZ
400E
Build the code reader and learn how to read the codes on all the pins - not hard at all. Change all the fluids especially transmission, with filter - also not hard. It's a cheap car - throw some stop leak in the PS reservoir. Maintain the timing chain, i.e. upper guides and tensioner - it's about the only real gotcha on the car. It's a great timing chain but a guide or tensioner failure could ruin the engine and take the car off the road.
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 100
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From: Phoenix, AZ
400E
I think parts are quite reasonable and often cheap, typically from www.autohausaz.com
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 724
Likes: 31
Car free at the moment
As an aside, I expect it would be cheaper to dump this car and buy a more expensive but well maintained example than to fix it up yourself.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8
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From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
E420 W124
Thanks for the advise,.
It does have a clean Carfax, only two owners of which the last one was the one who didn't maintain it, clean body, needs a good detail, some sensors and maintenance work done..I guess I will end up sinking a couple of bills on it, but hey..I paid 1 stack for it, and I work in a car mod./detail shop that also retails high end pre-owned cars..so I guess I will just fix and flip if it gets uncomfortable...
Thanks,
DH
It does have a clean Carfax, only two owners of which the last one was the one who didn't maintain it, clean body, needs a good detail, some sensors and maintenance work done..I guess I will end up sinking a couple of bills on it, but hey..I paid 1 stack for it, and I work in a car mod./detail shop that also retails high end pre-owned cars..so I guess I will just fix and flip if it gets uncomfortable...
Thanks,
DH
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 724
Likes: 31
Car free at the moment
Fair enough. Just realize that in nice condition with everything pretty much working it's about a $2500 car. Pull the codes and go from there. First task is to determine if the wiring harness has been done.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 696
Likes: 4
From: Motor City
95 E320 Cabriolet, 108K
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...d.php?t=107630
This has everything you need to know about building and using the code reader, and interpreting the codes.
This has everything you need to know about building and using the code reader, and interpreting the codes.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
E420 W124
Great..
Now, I think I will be alright with the mechanics side, but could you shed some light on the wiring harness issue, how to test or trouble shoot? Also, if you can advise on a code #19 read-out. There seems to be a lot of mixed advise with this code. I couldn't find anything on the peach website.
So far from what I have gathered it seems the adaptability limits have been reached by the ECU, (+/-15%). This however, this may be triggered by a faulty O2 Sensor or MAF.. If the ECU is the culprit..damn I gues I would rather toss it then..There were some dead links to a EPROM fix and that was as far as I could go, kinda dead-ended there. Any light on this subject as well is highly appreciated..
Thanks in advance..
DH
Now, I think I will be alright with the mechanics side, but could you shed some light on the wiring harness issue, how to test or trouble shoot? Also, if you can advise on a code #19 read-out. There seems to be a lot of mixed advise with this code. I couldn't find anything on the peach website.
So far from what I have gathered it seems the adaptability limits have been reached by the ECU, (+/-15%). This however, this may be triggered by a faulty O2 Sensor or MAF.. If the ECU is the culprit..damn I gues I would rather toss it then..There were some dead links to a EPROM fix and that was as far as I could go, kinda dead-ended there. Any light on this subject as well is highly appreciated..
Thanks in advance..
DH
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 696
Likes: 4
From: Motor City
95 E320 Cabriolet, 108K
Dig deeper in the link I provided. In there are other helpful links, most notably the 169 page code book in pdf. Pages 45 and 46 have the codes interpreted for your model.
It looks like you have a 38-pin data link connector. Code 19 means "Ground, Coding from Left EZL/AKR Ignition Control Module Not Present". Sounds like you have an open circuit somewhere by the ignition control module.
As far as the wiring harness, there's no trouble shooting. Peel back some of the wiring armor and look at the insulation. If it looks 200 years old and is crumbling, then it needs to be replaced. Even if it doesn't solve your immediate problem the money won't be wasted. Many mechanics will not touch these models with driveability issues unless the wiring is replaced.
It looks like you have a 38-pin data link connector. Code 19 means "Ground, Coding from Left EZL/AKR Ignition Control Module Not Present". Sounds like you have an open circuit somewhere by the ignition control module.
As far as the wiring harness, there's no trouble shooting. Peel back some of the wiring armor and look at the insulation. If it looks 200 years old and is crumbling, then it needs to be replaced. Even if it doesn't solve your immediate problem the money won't be wasted. Many mechanics will not touch these models with driveability issues unless the wiring is replaced.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8
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From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
E420 W124
Gotcha,
Many thanks for the advise. I will address the issues slowly. Too bad its not the silver one below that I will be test driving in the days to come...Any Buyers by the way?? (01' with 54K @ $37,500)...One owner/records..
Thankz again,
DH
Many thanks for the advise. I will address the issues slowly. Too bad its not the silver one below that I will be test driving in the days to come...Any Buyers by the way?? (01' with 54K @ $37,500)...One owner/records..
Thankz again,
DH
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 724
Likes: 31
Car free at the moment
Wiring harness is easy to inspect, as Kestas describes above. If it's bad, you'll know it when you see it. Poor driveability and lots of random seeming fault codes are another indication.
If one of the EZLs is dead, wouldn't the car be running on 4 cylinders?
If one of the EZLs is dead, wouldn't the car be running on 4 cylinders?
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 696
Likes: 4
From: Motor City
95 E320 Cabriolet, 108K
DH has been poking around the internet and seems to have gotten some interesting information:
http://www.mbca.org/sites/default/fi...0Code%2019.doc
http://www.mbca.org/sites/default/fi...0Code%2019.doc
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
E420 W124
Wow..Great info..Thank you much..
So far,
Exterior:
(tools = Makita Rotary, Porter Cable 7424)
Polishes:
Meg 105/LC Yellow Pad
Menzerna SIP/LC Orange Pad
Menzerna SIP/LC White PAd
Menzerna Power Lock/LC Blue Pad
Interior = Full Detail,
Headliner Fixed - Pending Reinstall.
Mechanics:
Wiring Harness Checked - Pass
Motor Oil (Mobile 4 High Milage Veh.)/Filter Change.
Serpentine Belt Change.
Water Pump Checked - Pass
Front Brake Pads/Rotors Replaced.
Gasoline Filter Replaced.
Lucas Fuel Injector Cleaner added.
Engine Spot Pressure Washed to check for other leaks or gasket failures.
Valve Cover Gasket Replacement - Pending.
Radio was working fine, won't turn on now...any clues? Did check fuse box under hood - 10 amp fuse - OK.
Reset DM, will wait for CEL to light up again to read what codes it pulls, then I will look into MAF & O2 Sens. if Code 19 resurfaces. if/then = New EPROM Chip.
Will post pics as soon as I don't forget my camera,..again at the shop..
Thanks again for the links..
DH
So far,
Exterior:
(tools = Makita Rotary, Porter Cable 7424)
Polishes:
Meg 105/LC Yellow Pad
Menzerna SIP/LC Orange Pad
Menzerna SIP/LC White PAd
Menzerna Power Lock/LC Blue Pad
Interior = Full Detail,
Headliner Fixed - Pending Reinstall.
Mechanics:
Wiring Harness Checked - Pass
Motor Oil (Mobile 4 High Milage Veh.)/Filter Change.
Serpentine Belt Change.
Water Pump Checked - Pass
Front Brake Pads/Rotors Replaced.
Gasoline Filter Replaced.
Lucas Fuel Injector Cleaner added.
Engine Spot Pressure Washed to check for other leaks or gasket failures.
Valve Cover Gasket Replacement - Pending.
Radio was working fine, won't turn on now...any clues? Did check fuse box under hood - 10 amp fuse - OK.
Reset DM, will wait for CEL to light up again to read what codes it pulls, then I will look into MAF & O2 Sens. if Code 19 resurfaces. if/then = New EPROM Chip.
Will post pics as soon as I don't forget my camera,..again at the shop..
Thanks again for the links..
DH
1995, 95, adjustment, codes, cover, e420, gasket, gottcha, hydraulic, maintenance, motor, oil, preventative, removal, retrieving, valve, w124
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