I just received my new wiring harness I stopped by a Indy Mercedes shop and they said it would be a 7 hour job for them to install the wiring harness...I have seen post and also a youtube video where people are able to successfully change their harness in 1 1/2 hours is this possible should it take 7 hours as per what the Mercedes shop quoted me...Ive been told this is a DIY sort of job. Please someone anyone let me know your thoughts. Has anyone replaced this harness on their own???????????

 

Everyone's, skill level varies. That being said, if I can do one in an hour or less, a mechanic is committing blatant robbery if they are charging you 7 hours for this job. I'm guessing shop rate is $60-$110/Hr. Even with a modest tool collection, you should be able to do it in 3 hours tops.

 

Your reply seems to be inline with my thoughts I felt compelled to post the question because I truly felt the shop was trying to take advantage of a common problem to which they had mentioned they had installed thousands of harness lol. With that said one would think they had it down to a science by now and it shouldn't take 7 hours. I am a ex air force jet engine mechanic and work on my cars on the weekend by no means a daily mechanic so when I heard the quote I was wondering is there something more to the install than meets the eye which seems to be more or less plug and play, with a couple of twist and turns. I think this mechanic saw me coming because I played stupid so I could see what he would say. They should be ashamed of themselves. I will take on the project and post result so that it may help others with the same issues.


Thank you again for your reply, if you have any helpful hints on the replacement then please "do Tell" I would love to complete in under and hour that would be wonderful


PS and yes the shop rate of the quote was $100.00 per hour

 

Well it's done total time with a stop watch start to finish plus cleanup and test drive One hour and Forty Five minutes...so what did I do ....I just followed the video I posted above ......Note to the wise the only tools I needed 10mm socket 5mm Hex wrench and a long regular screwdriver...FOR ANYONE THAT GOES TO A DEALER/ INDY SHOP AND THEY WANT TO QUOTE YOU 7 HOURS....GO GET A BEER AND DO IT YOURSELF ....it really isn't hard. I am very glad I took it on by myself instead of bringing it to a shop. Have a great weekend all.