**PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS POST - PLEASE READ!!**
Well, you are probably sick and tired of hearing about the wiring harness issues for the 1993 300E. However, I decided to make this issue a quest for me - since I have the time. I am not afraid to talk to anyone about any issues regardless of position level within MBUSA whether in NJ or Germany and/or any corporation as far as that goes.
I think what MB has done to us MB owners (I currently own 3 and have owned 2 others all without wiring harness issues with the exception of my 1993 300E 2.8), has been appalling and totally irresponsible (liability issues notwithstanding) for such a highly reputable auto manufacturer. We have been loyal to MB and now it is their turn to come clean and be loyal to us as well.
It is obvious that I found that the wiring harness in my 300E is shorting and the insulation is degrading. I will not bother you with the details of my encounters with my local "stealer", the regional MBUSA representative, and with customer support at MBUSA, NJ. However, I will do a complete write-up once my investigation is complete and will post it here for those who are interested. This is an issue that must be elevated as high as possible until MB listens to us. There are literally thousands of posts on this issue without resolution and angry, frustrated owners for several years. Including me.
I have done my research and I need to contact someone in the inside with authority to make changes and with the ability to listen without being condescending and patronizing. If you know of such a person in the inside (or you are one), please give me their name, phone #, e-mail address, etc. Do you have a POC list with phone numbers for MBUSA , NJ or for Daimler/Benz, Germany?? I do not wish to talk to any tech at Customer Support as they do not have any authority to do anything - just to "pass the buck".... They are just employees trained to give a certain response. I am done with them - I need someone much higher than them.
I also need copies of any memos that you may have obtained regarding this issue from MBUSA or Daimler/Benz , Germany.
I need a copy of the Safety Recalls for this model. Specifically, TSB 95-0223 MAR 95 Recall - Wiring Harness Chafing/Shorting. I need to read this. Not available at alldata.com, mercedesshop.com, etc, etc. If you could attach it to your reply, it would be greatly appreciated. I need the document - not the URL... .
Any other documents that you could provide me would greatly appreciated.
Your anonymity will be totally secure with me - I promise.
I need to arm myself with as much information in order to talk intelligently with them. I am actually hoping for a meeting regarding this issue - here in the US or in Germany and I will ask for this. I will present my (our??) case to them.
If you would like to talk to me directly, please indicate this in your reply to this post. Any cooperation you can provide me with, will eventually be appreciated by those affected and eventually, all of us.
I REALLY WANT TO DO THIS, BE COOL, AND HELP ME....!!
Hey.... just wanted to let you know I support you, and this. Ignoring a problem won't make it go away, and that's what it seems that MB has done on the harness. I think we've all just come to accept it as an extra "cost" of ownership....
You live in California, so you can get one of the most aggressive consumer affairs agencies in the USA to help out. Write them a letter and make sure you emphasize the life safety aspects of a wiring harness failure. The DCA can make life miserable for any manufacturer, including M-B. Go to DCA's website and get the address of the Director. Write directly to her because her office will copy your complaint to all of the appropriate government bureaus and departments.
I am sure that there are many MB owners out there, that agree and I feel I should point out that I have had a recall on a defective Mercedes part on a Vehicle that was circa 12 Years old. I posted this on 500Ecstacy.com some time ago but thought that it may inspire you to take this a step further, please remember that this is proof that Mercedes will recall if absolutely necessary, I do have paperwork somewhere relating to this matter, it would be very difficult for me to find it as I have not only changed homes 3 times but have also moved across the Atlantic (Uk to Canada) but if it were to help in the Quest of getting Mercedes to Accept/Help the Wiring Harness issue, my Wife will do her best to find it (if its there, she will find it!!!)
This is what I wrote:
It seems to me that some of us feel hard done by, by Mercedes and some don't and just get on with it and some say Mercedes should Goodwill this problem and others say it'll never happen, well this may or may not be of interest to anyone but just for the record for those that say they will never goodwill on vehicles of that age, around Feb 2003 I received a letter from Mercedes Benz GB, saying that as the Owner of a 1990 Mercedes 609D Truck I was receiving this letter to tell me of a recall on a part of the Steering Control Arm which was found to be defective and I need to contact my local Mercedes Commercial Dealer who will make an appointment for me to have the part replaced FREE OF ANY CHARGE, I was a little surprised to say the least, knowing that my 609D was some Thirteen years old and had covered over 300,000kms, nevertheless I took the vehicle to the dealer who subsequently renewed the said defective part and I collected the Truck the same day. The point I am trying to make is that whilst some of us think that the Goodwill on the Wiring Harness will never happen, you never know whats around the corner. Good Luck to those who Continue with this Quest!
There has been a collection of information on the 500ecstasy.com forum for a long bit of time on this very subject and there is a NHTSA file opened on the wiring harness issue:
The NHTSA is investigating and is considering a ruling. It requires all owners who have replaced the harness to fill out the form. Remember to note the SAFETY issues of a stumbling car, not whining that you had to buy another harness [although that should be reason enough].
The last attempt I had working with MBUSA and the CEO Paul Halata was useless. Their tact at the time was to let folks sue and just wear them down in court. That may have changed since 2000, but I really doubt it.
Write to the CA Department of Consumer Affairs 
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