W124 Wiring Query

[adile220]

Hi All,

Just wanted to know what cars were effected by the biodegradable wiring loom?

Ive heard it only effected the 6 cylinder w124s, but wanted to verify this was the case.

I own a 1996 w124 e220 coupe, so want to save up should it become an issue.

Finally - can anyone recommend where to have this done?

Many thanks,

Adil

 

[RBYCC]

Wasn't engine specific...just the later 94-96 face lift cars.

Pre-face lift early M104 and the M102 and M103 have no wiring harness problems.
The most common problem on all the I6 was leaking head gasket regardless of build year

Ed A.

 

[adile220]

Thanks Ed.

Mine is a 1996, so am assuming it will be effected.

Anyone know how best this is dealt with? Any recommended techs carry out the replacement?

Will need to set some time aside to look at how much damage has occurred at some point soon.

Best,

Adil

 

[RBYCC]

Adil

You probably have the M111..

I wouldn't be concerned if you're not having erratic starting and running problems.

Easy to inspect, just go to any of the connectors in the engine bay and gently pull the outer harness sheath back and look at the condition of the individual wire insulation...

Ed A

 

[adile220]

Thank you Ed,

Its running well at the moment, but am weighing up what cars I intend to keep going forwards (its between this and a W202 C250TD Sport).

I will do as you say and inspect the connectors.

Many thanks for your advice.

Adil

 

[grober]

Do you have the ignition coils located under the inlet manifold or inside the cam cover plate? If you have the coils "outside" then that's helpful. I would also carefully! remove the wiring from the MAF and the lambda sensor located on the top of the exhaust manifold from their "neat clips" on the side of the cam cover and re-route them in free air- no sense in "cooking them" prematurely.

 

[adile220]

Hi Graeme,

I am not sure, but will check next time I'm under the hood of the car.

Am moving to a new place at the moment, so may be some time before I get to have a proper look into this issue.

Will bear it in mind nevertheless, and hopefully will take some snaps of my findings to share with the community.

As ever, please feel free to make any suggestions which I can look into when I get some time with the car.

Many thanks,

Adil

 

[Tetleysmooth]

Would an M reg W124 e200 suffer from the biodegradeable wiring loom?
I'd like to know because I've been offered one, but will avoid if it has the dodgy loom.
Ta.

 

[mejermy]

Provided you plan the cost of replacement into your purchase price it's nothing to be afraid of. I would be inclined to replace the loom immediately on purchase though, and before you even do such basics as changing plugs. To rewire the loom yourself is really no big deal, requiring only competence at keeping precise notes of connections and wire colours, and moderate competence with a soldering iron. Lots of DIYs on the forums.

 

[Tetleysmooth]

I really wouldn't have the patience to re-wire the car and I've never used a soldering iron, so best avoided in my opinion.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[Tetleysmooth]

This seems to answer my question quite nicely:

BadMercedes.com: It's the eco-wiring, Dummkopf!