Throttle pedal unresponsive on 190E (Manual)

[grope]

Hi Guys,

This is my first post. I've recently become a 1990 Mercedes 190E (2.0 Manual) owner.

I think I've got a problem with the throttle pedal. When I depress it the revs hardly rise until it's about 4cm down. After that it revs quite suddenly and strongly. Also, when I'm driving and come to a stop the revs don't die down to idle unless I quickly depress the pedal to exceed the current revs (if you know what I mean). When It's not in gear and I rev it, the revs always come down to normal idle speed.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[grope]

I just wanted to add that the pedal does have a normal spring resistance. It returns to where it should be when i remove my foot.

 

[Ian B Walker]

Two things. There should be a return spring on the throttle cable to houseing unit. Check that its there and connected. Secondly I feel that your cable needs some adjustment.

 

[grope]

Thanks Ian. Is the housing unit at the engine end? Is that where one can also adjust the cable? Can the cable be adjusted by just screwing some sort of nut at the end of the cable?

 

[Ian B Walker]

Thanks Ian. Is the housing unit at the engine end? Is that where one can also adjust the cable? Can the cable be adjusted by just screwing some sort of nut at the end of the cable?

yes, yes and yes but read up on the correct free play. Cant remember at the moment, will look it up for you in the morning.

edit............just read up and free play is 1mm at the cable end.

 

[grope]

yes, yes and yes but read up on the correct free play. Cant remember at the moment, will look it up for you in the morning.

edit............just read up and free play is 1mm at the cable end.

I tried messing about with it but there doesn't seem to be much difference. Do you think it might have something to do with the clutch?

 

[grope]

I've managed to get hold of a Haynes manual and now I'm much more stuck than before!

I would be so grateful if someone could help me make sense of the manual. I've scanned the relevant sections of the book

Accelerator cable and linkage - adjustment
http://img345.imageshack.us/my.php?image=haynes190e6mu.png

Extra Illustrations
http://img167.imageshack.us/my.php?image=haynesphotos3kq.png


At this stage I'm really stuck on these two areas:

1. On point "3" of the article in mentions a "ball socket". I've put a question mark on the diagram to illustrate what I think they mean. Am I correct?

2. Point "4" of the article states "...adjust the length of the connecting lever...". Assuming that this is the item I question marked, I wouldn't have a clue how to adjust its length. Any ideas?

 

[Ian B Walker]

In answer to your questions.

1. Yes

2. Hope you can understand this so, item 3 in the diagram push forward till item 4 sits in the well (The ball socket bracket being disconnected) Unscrew or screw up the ball socket till it fits without pulling or pushing the lever. Hope that helps.

 

[grope]

Thanks Ian. I think I understand. That lever with the ball socket was so encrusted with dirt that I didn't see that it had a screw on it.

 

[grope]

OK, I carried out the procedure exactly as outlined in the book but the throttle problem is still the same!

When I removed the lever from the ball socket (Point 3 in the manual) I noticed that the lever on the throttle valve housing was completely limp (ie no sprung resistance). Is this normal? If not it looks as though my problem is a broken spring as discussed on this thread:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=25795

 

[190auto]

OK, I carried out the procedure exactly as outlined in the book but the throttle problem is still the same!

When I removed the lever from the ball socket (Point 3 in the manual) I noticed that the lever on the throttle valve housing was completely limp (ie no sprung resistance). Is this normal? If not it looks as though my problem is a broken spring as discussed on this thread:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=25795

Hi,
It was me who submitted the entry you mention. If you check the post, you will see the pic of the spring with a hook at one end, and a loop at the other. This is the spring that you can hardly see, because it is at the back and underneath the bit (technical term...) which is under the airfilter. Access to change it was simpler from underneath the engine bay with the car on a ramp. The part number for this spring is either 102 993 23 10 or 102 993 09 10. (I also ordered a replacement spring for the throttle which you CAN see under the air filter housing. Both parts are helpfully labelled 'spring'.) Remember, though, that my car is a 2.0E auto, so there may be differences in the mechanism to a manual. Good luck.

 

[grope]

Hi 190auto,
Thanks for your help.

I'm going to buy the spring(s) next week before jacking up the front of the car. How much did the dealer charge for the springs and were they in stock the first time you went?

 

[blue190]

I've got a similar problem

Hello to you all, i too am having a similar problem with my 190e 2.0i. However the offending article causing me grief is the lug that holds the outer sheath to the full-stop adjuster(the one just under the air filter housing). I can still drive it but it is somewhat erratic and occasionally the outer sticks causing the throttle to stay open. I have tried to source a new cable through local factors and local branch of gsf, which have all turned up a blank. can someone tell me where i can get one from before i have to resort to filling the pockets of my local stealership. also not raining but pouring, the top outlet sheared off my thermostat housing causing massive coolant loss (and being late for work!!) and as a result of such i think the bearings have died in my water pump from being left dry for a couple of days. Luckily for my car i like it otherwise it would be going on ebay with no reserve.

 

[190auto]

Hi 190auto,
Thanks for your help.

I'm going to buy the spring(s) next week before jacking up the front of the car. How much did the dealer charge for the springs and were they in stock the first time you went?

I found the receipts, so have a seat

The spring you can see easily (hook at each end) is 102 993 0910 and is £2.03 plus VAT. The dealer did have this one in stock.

The awkward spring (hook at one end and loop at the other) is 102 993 2310 and is £1.18 plus VAT. HOWEVER, the dealer only said they could supply them in packets of three, so I now have a spare one for when it breaks again. (One disappeared when I was working in the engine bay.)

The dealer did not have these springs in stock, but ordered them and they arrived within a couple of days.

 

[grope]

That's quite reasonable. I was worried they'd be about ten quid each.

 

[grope]

Hello to you all, i too am having a similar problem with my 190e 2.0i. However the offending article causing me grief is the lug that holds the outer sheath to the full-stop adjuster(the one just under the air filter housing). I can still drive it but it is somewhat erratic and occasionally the outer sticks causing the throttle to stay open. I have tried to source a new cable through local factors and local branch of gsf, which have all turned up a blank. can someone tell me where i can get one from before i have to resort to filling the pockets of my local stealership. also not raining but pouring, the top outlet sheared off my thermostat housing causing massive coolant loss (and being late for work!!) and as a result of such i think the bearings have died in my water pump from being left dry for a couple of days. Luckily for my car i like it otherwise it would be going on ebay with no reserve.

Looks like you'll have to try the dealer. The springs aren't too expensive so it might be an OK price. You could also try a scrap yard.