Please Help! I have a problem with a E320! - Benzworld.org

eurodriver · 06-25-2003, 11:34 PM

[:(]

Hi, I am new here. My friend owns a 1994 Mb W124 E320. It has 63K original miles.

Here is his problem. When he is driving his car, sometimes during the drive, it will all of a sudden shut down. It starts right up again and sometimes it repeats this numerous times until we reach a destination. The check eninge light turns on as well, but the cars seems to be running just fine other wise, no leaks, overheating, etc...

If we disconnect the battery for five minutes and reconnect, the check enigne light does not appear for a couple hours but the car will still have the same symptoms.

We checked the spark plugs, they were fine. We looked for any unconnected plugs in the engine bay, all is fine.

Anyone know what might cause this? I have heard that there is a compartment in the engine on the right side that tells you the code that the CE light throws. Is this correct? Any recalls I should know about? Also, I know it is best to have it checked out, but we were wondering if we could get some help before we take it in. WE love this car![V]

Thanks in advance to anyone that helps us!

johan6504 · 06-26-2003, 12:12 AM

I havenâ€™t had this problem myself but from what I have been reading in this forum it could very well be it. Make search for "engine wiring harness" in this forum and I am sure youâ€™ll find similar problems.

Good luck
Johan

Kestas · 06-26-2003, 07:30 AM

Ditto on Johan's suggestion.

Ian P. · 06-26-2003, 12:49 PM

You need to get someone with a diagnostic system to check the Fault Code.
The fact the light goes out after interrupting the power indicates a problem that is not clear cut, meaning it is usually difficult to find. What you are doing is similar to a computer re-boot so it forgets the problem (except California cars, they have a memory) and you start again with the Fault Code cleared.
It may be intermittent (faulty plug or wire) or constant but not so severe as to shut things down all the time. It probably takes some time for the conditions to be right to trigger the response.
Check all the engine management plugs, O2 sensor under floor, Knock sensor on side of block, all temperature sensors, fuel injection etc.
If you can find any ground connections around the engine, check they are clean and tight. Measure the voltage between the engine block to the battery ground with the engine running, should be just a few mili volts, less than 20.
If the problem persists, and it likely will unless you get really lucky, you need to take it to someone who can read the fault codes. They will need to duplicate the fault and .....then all will be revealed.
My bet is a temperature sender, knock sensor or a similar electronic device.

Ian P.

Greg in Oz · 06-26-2003, 04:32 PM

I'm with Johan & Kestas on this one. For a late M104 engine, it's just at the right age for the insulation on the engine wiring harness to be cracking and crumbling. Had to replace same on my father's '93 E320 coupe 12 months ago at 120,000km. A common and well known problem on this and other forums.

mjtray · 06-27-2003, 01:28 AM

Greg and others,

I'm looking for some information on the wiring harness issue. I have a 1993 E280 which was registered in the August of that year, but I imagine that the build date would have been earlier in the year.....say April/May.

From what date or chassis number did MB start installing the harnesses that give all these problems ....does anybody out there know, as there seems to be some confusion about this and I would like to know if I have a potential problem brewing up for the future.

Many thanks

Greg in Oz · 06-27-2003, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Greg and others,

I'm looking for some information on the wiring harness issue. I have a 1993 E280 which was registered in the August of that year, but I imagine that the build date would have been earlier in the year.....say April/May.

From what date or chassis number did MB start installing the harnesses that give all these problems ....does anybody out there know, as there seems to be some confusion about this and I would like to know if I have a potential problem brewing up for the future.

Many thanks

To the best of my knowledge, it affects all M104s with HFM injection. CIS (K-E Jetronic) injected cars are not affected. Therefore 3.0-24 engines are not affected but all 2.8 and 3.2 engines are. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

eurodriver · 06-29-2003, 10:43 PM

Can I ask someone to shed more light on the engine wirirng harness? Like where its location is, how much the cost of a new harness will be etc... Any more knowledge is appreciated.

Also, The cars check engine light has not turned on in while, I'd say around 500 miles, but the car will still sometimes stall and will immediately restart once again. Is this the engine wiring harness problem?

Thanks Kindly in advance for anyone's help.

Drew · 06-29-2003, 11:18 PM

Do not use the "Search" button. Click on the "search this forum" link at the top of the page instead. Or click below:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/search.asp?id=11

popkwizz · 06-30-2003, 10:05 PM

This problem has been corrected by my mechanic a number of times (in other MBs) by replacing the fuel pump relay. My '86 still quits occasionally on a rapid stop going slightly downhill or into a shallow dip. All the indicator lights go on, and I start it right up. A couple of months ago it quit altogether and wouldn't start up. That's when the fuel pump relay was replaced. It cured that problem. There is mention occasionally of the OVP needing replacement for similar problems, also. I don't think this is a rare problem, though. Puzzling, for sure.