SL/R129: ASR Misery
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
95 SL 500, 08 Infinity FX35
ASR Misery
I purchased my 95 SL around 6 yrs ago with 48K miles. I wasn't aware of the wiring harness issues until after purchasing my SL, but never thought nothing of it since I wasn't having any problems, until the my dash lit up like a xmas tree.
Yeah, you guessed right, the big ASR / check engine light and all the throttling issues it causes. My car defaulted in Limp-Home mode and the idling was chaotic.
Here's what I learned through my experience.
1. Don't waste your money trying to troubleshoot your chaotic idling problem if the ASR light is on and the car is in limp-mode. My mechanic told me that one of my on-board computer module was bad. Replacing it with a used one was to no avail. It did not correct the idling problem.
2. DTC's may not readout correctly. According to OBD, my front pasaaenger and rear passenger speed sensor malfunctioned.
Well, to make a long story short, if your car permanently goes into limp-home mode with only the ASR light on, it's probably your ETA or throttle body. After wasting money, I finally decided to carefully cut through the sheathing of my ETA wiring harness. I was shocked to say the least. Out of all the wires inside my harness, only two were insulated.
I removed the ETA, shipped it out to have it rewired with military grade wires, and now all is good to go. Total cost: $300 and a little manual labor.
So do yourself a favor and protect youself from ETA mayhem by checking your harness and repair it.
BTW, try not to drive it while in limp-home mode as it put stress on your tranny mount and drive belt.
Yeah, you guessed right, the big ASR / check engine light and all the throttling issues it causes. My car defaulted in Limp-Home mode and the idling was chaotic.
Here's what I learned through my experience.
1. Don't waste your money trying to troubleshoot your chaotic idling problem if the ASR light is on and the car is in limp-mode. My mechanic told me that one of my on-board computer module was bad. Replacing it with a used one was to no avail. It did not correct the idling problem.
2. DTC's may not readout correctly. According to OBD, my front pasaaenger and rear passenger speed sensor malfunctioned.
Well, to make a long story short, if your car permanently goes into limp-home mode with only the ASR light on, it's probably your ETA or throttle body. After wasting money, I finally decided to carefully cut through the sheathing of my ETA wiring harness. I was shocked to say the least. Out of all the wires inside my harness, only two were insulated.
I removed the ETA, shipped it out to have it rewired with military grade wires, and now all is good to go. Total cost: $300 and a little manual labor.
So do yourself a favor and protect youself from ETA mayhem by checking your harness and repair it.
BTW, try not to drive it while in limp-home mode as it put stress on your tranny mount and drive belt.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 598
Likes: 19
From: Eastern Kansas
94 SL 600, 98 993, 89 XJS Conv., 85 Daimlier Princess 16 Hybrid Lincoln 16 Chevy crewcab
Amen
Sorry to welcome you to the club! You articulated my approach. The phrase " blind leading the blind" was prevasive with dealer repair shops. I still feel MB should have owned the problem across all platforms and venues. This forum is a liberation from their malfeasance.
...TOOK ME LIKE 6 HOURS TO REWIRE THE ETA ...AND NOW OWN A NEW CAR !!!!
