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Where to buy wire for ETA rewiring?

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migmog

New Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2009
Messages
14
Location
Edinburgh
Car
2004 E500 Estate W211
I've been having high/surgeing idle problems on my 94 e320. I have taken off the electronic throttle acutator, and as expected the wiring in it is crumbling. So I'm about to take on the job of rewiring it. I found a good guide online for this here: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w12...ewire-m104-throttle-actuator.html#post3515568

One thing I'm unsure about is where I can get ahold of some suitable new wire that will withstand the high temperatures in the engine.

Anyone know of a good UK based supplier?

thanks
Andrew
 
migmog said:
I've been having high/surgeing idle problems on my 94 e320. I have taken off the electronic throttle acutator, and as expected the wiring in it is crumbling. So I'm about to take on the job of rewiring it. I found a good guide online for this here: How to rewire an M104 Throttle Actuator - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

One thing I'm unsure about is where I can get ahold of some suitable new wire that will withstand the high temperatures in the engine.

Anyone know of a good UK based supplier?

thanks
Andrew
Click to expand...

Have you tried Maplins?

Online-wise, I'm sure there are plenty of suppliers out there....
 
There are many specialist wire suppliers around, as well as companies like Farnell or RS who sell suitable wire. You need to check the specifications of the wire that you buy very carefully, to ensure it's rated for high temperatures. I'd be tempted to use silicon covered wire, with sleeving over the whole lot. One problem that you may encounter is that of minimum quantities - most industrial suppliers want to sell it by the reel. How many colours and how much of each will you need?
 
heat resistant wire

Just a thought - in the spirit of recycling (or meanness depending on your point of view)...Assuming you don't need long lengths, a free source would be an old domestic oven. Much of the wiring in these is heat resistant and insulated with multi-coloured silicone covering.

Geoff
 
The Maplin silicone wire is pretty good - I've used it a few times. Unfortunately, it is web-only, only available in two colours, and one of them is out of stock.

Vehicle Wiring Products have a good range - Vehicle Wiring Products Ltd. Suppliers of auto electrical parts. - and sell small quantities.

I have used their thinwall auto cable with the fibreglass high temperature sleeving a few times in engine compartments, without any problems.

Ian.
 
I have access to a 'few' reels of Aircraft grade Kapton cabling! Pity it's only in one colour and has a habit of being somewhat dangerous..... :p
 
Thanks for these ideas. I don't really care about the colours, I'll be rewiring it one connector at a time, so I shouldn't get confused.

Nice idea about the oven, though I'm not sure where I'd get ahold of one. If I see a dead one in the street, I'll certainly plunder it!
Otherwise, I think a trip to maplins is in order.

migmog
 
You should satisfy yourself that the potentiometer track is still working correctly as if its worn out you will be wasting your time.

Look for a steady change in resistance with rotation of the throttle - any jumps or dropouts mean a problem.

You can try a very careful clean but if the track is worn then I don't know of a reliable repair.
 
Excellent advice, I will do this before attempting the repair.

w124coupe said:
You should satisfy yourself that the potentiometer track is still working correctly as if its worn out you will be wasting your time.

Look for a steady change in resistance with rotation of the throttle - any jumps or dropouts mean a problem.

You can try a very careful clean but if the track is worn then I don't know of a reliable repair.
Click to expand...

I had another thought about where to get high temp wire - get it from the harness of any recent car at the local car breaker.
 
Dagnabbit!

Dang, if it ain't different from the ones in the pictures.....

When I got mine apart, (having purchased the right tamperproof torx bits), blow me if it isn't completed different inside from the one in the pictures. In order to get new wires into this thing I'd need to remove half of the assembly, with no obvious way to do it. Likely as not I wouldn't be able to put it back together again either.

So, out with the wallet I guess. Looks like I can get the right one from vagcomponents.co.uk for £384.50, or get the old one remanufactured for slightly less.

Any good/bad opinions on this supplier?
 
I emailed them for a price, looking forward to having a good laugh. ECP list it at over £500, and they are generally cheaper.....

Actually I just bought one online from starpartz for £332. From reading other posts on this forum, he's a guy that gets remainder stock from MB dealers, so it's hit & miss whether he has your part. Just so happens that he had mine in stock cheaper than elsewere, so I pressed the buy button.
 
Right, do you want a chuckle? Dealer wants £729.10. Not including the gasket!

Now I'm waiting for a price for the engine wiring harness. Hopefully won't need it, but I want to know how much to save up! From talking to the parts guy, this could be one of half a dozen different items.

I didn't try Nick as I'd already bought it from Starparts. Arrived today for less than half the dealer price........
 
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