[msbarsi]

Hi jwhyte and welcome in our big family. First of all I may suggest you to fill your profile with your car, its year and your location to help us help you in the best and quickest possible way.
Back to your problem, I have the feeling that Chris is right because usually for production years between about 1993 and 1995 Mercedes cars tend to have wiring harness problems since the wires insulation in the harness becomes brittle and every kind of electrical gremlins arise.
If I were you I'd start investigating in that direction and if unfortunately you discover that's the problem you are facing a bill of at least 1000 €.
While you are at it you should have a look at the speed sensors just in case.
Oh and when the car looses power as you describe probably locks the gearbox in 2nd gear too doesn't it? That's the typical LHM (Limp Home Mode).

Good luck.

Cheers.

 

[msbarsi]

Thanks for you comments.One additional problem i discovered,is that the speedo resets itself back to zero.This seems to start just before it starts its limp mode.One time the speedo was working backwards.and the mileage goes to zero.Wiring harness,its the only part that has'nt been replaced.

jwhyte in the 3 years I've been on the R129 forum if memory assists me your speedo problem is a first to be honest so I don't know in which direction I could address you but my instinct given your year really points me towardws the wiring harness once again. I'm telling you I might be wrong but that's what my instinct tells me.

Cheers.

 

[msbarsi]

jwhyte I suggest you to dump the dealer as a part source because there are plenty of places around the world that could sell you parts for your Mercedes and not making you sell your own body parts to pay the price. Ebay is one Parts.com - For every part of your life is anther and if you use the advanced search feature of the forum you can discover plenty of places willing to sell you spared at a fair price. As you can see in my profile I'm Italian and I've been buying spars for my previous 2000 SL 320 and for my present 2003 CL 500 from Germany to California despite the notorious terrible and slow Italian customs.
Again jwhyte to help us help you int he best and quickest possible way I suggest you to fill your profile with your car its year and your location.
It's quick, needs little effort but it's a huge time saver .

Good luck with your car.

Cheers.