Hello all!!!
I hope this isn't a 2nd post, I just registered on this site, and thought I posted a new thread, but it's been hours and I don't see it, so I'm doing it again.
Anyway, I had recently posted on www.benzforum.com with my problem, however one of the users strongly suggested I copy and paste from there and post to here. So, I am hoping someone, or a few of you, can help me out. Below is a copy of my thread and responses so far; of course, I want to thank you ahead of time, any information is very much appreciated!
Here is what I've got so far:
Thread Created by Me, Joeadvert
I own a 95' e320 that needed the dreaded wiring harness replaced. Being on a tight budget and the age of the car, of course I couldn't afford or justify or risk a "money pit" car. So, I searched and searched for options to the, minimum, $2100+ quotes I was getting from auto shops and dealerships; especially since, despite being a very clean car, the 'book' on it was around $3000-4000, at best.
That said I was determined and hoping that maybe if I could get this done on the "cheap" I could dodge, what is to me, a big bullet in repairs, get the car back on the road long enough until I can get a decent job to better "take care of business", my car, as it more appropriately deserves.
Well, as it turns out, after a long search I ended up, on my second try, getting a used harness off eBay with a warranty and looked like it was in great condition. Of course, the install on this is very pricy, at least for me; so I next had to see if I could find someone who could do this on the cheap, or for beers !
After talking to a few friends of friends, I just didn't feel the "candidates" were confident or capable of handling the job. Then one day, I'm talking to a nephew who I'd forgotten had went to one of those technical schools, and had experience working on Mercedes, and he was adamant that he could do the job. Since my nephew owed me about $450 in parking fines I had paid for him, I made a deal that I'd cancel the debt in return for the install.
Unfortunately, he lived about 2 hours away, with a busy schedule, so he had to make a few trips up to complete the job, basically 3-4 days over a span of about 2 months! In other words it was hard getting him there, especially since we had a problem with the first one, AFTER it was installed!
Anyway, sorry for the long winded prelude... but to make this long story short... by the time it was finished, so I thought, there was one problem. The harness works like a charm, but when I was driving it for a while, I noticed my temperature gauge was on zero, as in... it wasn't working?
Now, even with the bad harness on, and before the install, the gauge was working fine; but after, nada?
So... my question... does anybody know if there is a correlation between the harness install, as in, is there something that had to be disconnected, or wasn't connected when in the process of uninstalling the old with the "new"? Or, worse, could there be something about the harness that isn't functioning, I think there are something like 22 connectors (he swears all of them are connected), or is it just something that had to be removed and reconnected but not part of the harness itself?
Now, the meth part... so... in all this time, my neph has a tendency of getting himself in and out of trouble, he was on a good run, but unfortunately, during the time he was working on my car, and the span, he took up meth, and thus... he could have taken care of this himself, but unfortunately he ended up in jail and I have been sitting here afraid to even move the car for 6 months.
So, my options are wait for my neph to get out of jail, tow the car to a garage, or (I am hoping) someone here can give me some quick and fairly easy fix that I can do it myself!
I guess I didn't really have to write all this, but I thought maybe someone would enjoy it, or feel sorry for me, I really would appreciate it.
In a nutshell, the temp gauge was working fine, no issues, but after he installed the harness, the car worked fine; except for the temperature gauge. I need the car for a daily 2 hour commute, so I can't risk seizing the engine because I can't gauge the temperature.
Anyone know where I should look, or what to plug in, or whatever?
****************************************************************************************
post #2 of 7 Old 01-09-2015, 03:59 AM
RedLiner
Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Spain
Posts: 664
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Firstly, thanks for a very well written and enjoyable read.
If it's just the temperature gauge that's not working I wouldn't worry too much about not driving the car.
If our very experienced MB tech Eric doesn't chime in, I'll see if I can find a wiring diagram to identify the plug and socket.
****************************************************************************************
post #3 of 7 Old 01-10-2015, 12:24 AM Thread Starter
Joeadvert
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Cali
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
(Thread Starter)
Hey RedLiner, I am only worried about my temp gauge because prior to this the temp on my car was going almost to the red line whenever I was in stop go traffic. It was okay at cruising speed though, and when it would get high, I would have to turn the heater on full blast and it would drop, and this would happen even if it was relatively cool outside 68-70 degrees. If it was hotter it would be worse because it was like a sweat box in my car, which wasn't so good since I was on my way to work
This started happening about 2 or 3 weeks before my wiring harness went on me; however the temp gauge was working right up until the harness was installed.
THANK YOU for your reply, in more ways than one; I hope your buddy can help!!!!
****************************************************************************************
post #4 of 7 Old 01-10-2015, 03:29 AM
RedLiner
Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Spain
Posts: 664
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Overheating with your model can be one or more of a few things.
Start checking a simple thing first... is the radiator clean? check that it isn't clogged up with dirt and insects.
However it's more likely to be one of the following:-
Check the pressure cap on the coolant reservoir.
Most likely cause will be the thermostat which is an easy fix.
Fan clutch, do you hear the fans running when the engine warms up? (they switch on at 105ºC by default.
The fan clutch is on the fan attached to the engine. The two fans in front of the radiator are electric fans. These electric fans are controlled by temperature sensor and pressure switch.
Check the AC refrigerant, If the pressure is low it won't turn on the pressure switch on and the electric fan won't turn on either.
Probably worth draining and flushing the radiator too.
In short the two most likely cause is the thermostat or the electric fans.
****************************************************************************************
post #5 of 7 Old 01-12-2015, 06:41 AM
eric242340
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Sichuan province China
Posts: 1,260
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
In response to Post #4 by RedLiner:
A good write up and covers most items. But as the temp guage was working before the wiring swap he is left with two possibilities for it not working.
1. The temp sensor is shot and this is very possible as the car was overheating on ocassions, sensors do not like serious heat. Simple answer is to change the temp sensor and see how it goes.
2. The connection for this sensor is either not connected or the wire is broken. Answer to this is find out where the sensor is located and check both the connection and wiring. Usual location is on the thermostat housing.
Sadly I do not have access to WIS at the moment so cannot dig deeper.
****************************************************************************************
post #6 of 7 Unread 02-19-2015, 01:41 AM Thread Starter
Joeadvert
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Cali
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
(Thread Starter)
Thanks very much for your responses thus far; I am sorry I haven't responded sooner, but I haven't had the time to take a look at my car to see what I could find.
I live about 2 hours away from where the car is being stored. So, that only allows me weekends to work with; and for every weekend since my post, my gf had me tied up with a relentless barrage of birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, you name it... so I haven't had any time to try your suggestions.
Drama.
Anyway, I won't be able to make it up to the car for 2-6 weeks from now.
I obviously don't expect you to wait for me, but I would appreciate you checking in on me for my progress, or more likely... more questions/help.
Anyway, ummm... if possible, eric242340 do you or anyone else have more details regarding the temp sensor, like what does it look like (maybe a pic), where is it located (maybe a pic or drawing/sketch), is it an easy install, etc...?
Also, this might be stupid to ask, but, RedLiner, et al, is "the pressure cap on the coolant reservoir" the plastic cap that screws on the plastic, container-like, thing with a small hose that runs into a nipple by the radiator cap? This is on the left side from front with hood open and on the wheel well front? If so, outside of a cracked/chapped up gasket, what should I be looking/"checking" for?
As for the fan clutch, RedLiner, it's been a while, but I never understood my fans, they always seemed odd to me... but most recently I seem to recall they would turn on almost immediately when I started the car, temps around 65 degrees. Other times, after I was driving for a while, parked and turned off the engine, sometimes the fans would keep running?
Of course, I'll start "googling", but if anyone has something really awesome that would be great!
Well, actually, beggars can't be choosers, so anything anyone has to offer is great! I especially like pictures and step-by-step, so if you know of any sources, web vids, etc... of, mostly the free variety, unless they are absolute must haves; of course it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much, really!!!
PS. My nephew is out on good behavior (and appears to be doing very well ), though an ankle device keeps him close to his home, far from my car, still.
****************************************************************************************
post #7 of 7 Unread 02-22-2015, 11:59 AM
RedLiner
Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Spain
Posts: 664
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
To get the best responses and help I would suggest that you join our sister forum and then copy and paste all of the above into this forum W124 E,CE,D,TD Class - Mercedes-Benz Forum
There are so many knowledgeable members on that forum they'll have you up and running a lot quicker than my meagre input.
### END ###
THANKS SO MUCH!
I hope this isn't a 2nd post, I just registered on this site, and thought I posted a new thread, but it's been hours and I don't see it, so I'm doing it again.
Anyway, I had recently posted on www.benzforum.com with my problem, however one of the users strongly suggested I copy and paste from there and post to here. So, I am hoping someone, or a few of you, can help me out. Below is a copy of my thread and responses so far; of course, I want to thank you ahead of time, any information is very much appreciated!
Here is what I've got so far:
Thread Created by Me, Joeadvert
I own a 95' e320 that needed the dreaded wiring harness replaced. Being on a tight budget and the age of the car, of course I couldn't afford or justify or risk a "money pit" car. So, I searched and searched for options to the, minimum, $2100+ quotes I was getting from auto shops and dealerships; especially since, despite being a very clean car, the 'book' on it was around $3000-4000, at best.
That said I was determined and hoping that maybe if I could get this done on the "cheap" I could dodge, what is to me, a big bullet in repairs, get the car back on the road long enough until I can get a decent job to better "take care of business", my car, as it more appropriately deserves.
Well, as it turns out, after a long search I ended up, on my second try, getting a used harness off eBay with a warranty and looked like it was in great condition. Of course, the install on this is very pricy, at least for me; so I next had to see if I could find someone who could do this on the cheap, or for beers !
After talking to a few friends of friends, I just didn't feel the "candidates" were confident or capable of handling the job. Then one day, I'm talking to a nephew who I'd forgotten had went to one of those technical schools, and had experience working on Mercedes, and he was adamant that he could do the job. Since my nephew owed me about $450 in parking fines I had paid for him, I made a deal that I'd cancel the debt in return for the install.
Unfortunately, he lived about 2 hours away, with a busy schedule, so he had to make a few trips up to complete the job, basically 3-4 days over a span of about 2 months! In other words it was hard getting him there, especially since we had a problem with the first one, AFTER it was installed!
Anyway, sorry for the long winded prelude... but to make this long story short... by the time it was finished, so I thought, there was one problem. The harness works like a charm, but when I was driving it for a while, I noticed my temperature gauge was on zero, as in... it wasn't working?
Now, even with the bad harness on, and before the install, the gauge was working fine; but after, nada?
So... my question... does anybody know if there is a correlation between the harness install, as in, is there something that had to be disconnected, or wasn't connected when in the process of uninstalling the old with the "new"? Or, worse, could there be something about the harness that isn't functioning, I think there are something like 22 connectors (he swears all of them are connected), or is it just something that had to be removed and reconnected but not part of the harness itself?
Now, the meth part... so... in all this time, my neph has a tendency of getting himself in and out of trouble, he was on a good run, but unfortunately, during the time he was working on my car, and the span, he took up meth, and thus... he could have taken care of this himself, but unfortunately he ended up in jail and I have been sitting here afraid to even move the car for 6 months.
So, my options are wait for my neph to get out of jail, tow the car to a garage, or (I am hoping) someone here can give me some quick and fairly easy fix that I can do it myself!
I guess I didn't really have to write all this, but I thought maybe someone would enjoy it, or feel sorry for me, I really would appreciate it.
In a nutshell, the temp gauge was working fine, no issues, but after he installed the harness, the car worked fine; except for the temperature gauge. I need the car for a daily 2 hour commute, so I can't risk seizing the engine because I can't gauge the temperature.
Anyone know where I should look, or what to plug in, or whatever?
****************************************************************************************
post #2 of 7 Old 01-09-2015, 03:59 AM
RedLiner
Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Spain
Posts: 664
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Firstly, thanks for a very well written and enjoyable read.
If it's just the temperature gauge that's not working I wouldn't worry too much about not driving the car.
If our very experienced MB tech Eric doesn't chime in, I'll see if I can find a wiring diagram to identify the plug and socket.
****************************************************************************************
post #3 of 7 Old 01-10-2015, 12:24 AM Thread Starter
Joeadvert
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Cali
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
(Thread Starter)
Hey RedLiner, I am only worried about my temp gauge because prior to this the temp on my car was going almost to the red line whenever I was in stop go traffic. It was okay at cruising speed though, and when it would get high, I would have to turn the heater on full blast and it would drop, and this would happen even if it was relatively cool outside 68-70 degrees. If it was hotter it would be worse because it was like a sweat box in my car, which wasn't so good since I was on my way to work
This started happening about 2 or 3 weeks before my wiring harness went on me; however the temp gauge was working right up until the harness was installed.
THANK YOU for your reply, in more ways than one; I hope your buddy can help!!!!
****************************************************************************************
post #4 of 7 Old 01-10-2015, 03:29 AM
RedLiner
Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Spain
Posts: 664
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Overheating with your model can be one or more of a few things.
Start checking a simple thing first... is the radiator clean? check that it isn't clogged up with dirt and insects.
However it's more likely to be one of the following:-
Check the pressure cap on the coolant reservoir.
Most likely cause will be the thermostat which is an easy fix.
Fan clutch, do you hear the fans running when the engine warms up? (they switch on at 105ºC by default.
The fan clutch is on the fan attached to the engine. The two fans in front of the radiator are electric fans. These electric fans are controlled by temperature sensor and pressure switch.
Check the AC refrigerant, If the pressure is low it won't turn on the pressure switch on and the electric fan won't turn on either.
Probably worth draining and flushing the radiator too.
In short the two most likely cause is the thermostat or the electric fans.
****************************************************************************************
post #5 of 7 Old 01-12-2015, 06:41 AM
eric242340
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Sichuan province China
Posts: 1,260
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
In response to Post #4 by RedLiner:
A good write up and covers most items. But as the temp guage was working before the wiring swap he is left with two possibilities for it not working.
1. The temp sensor is shot and this is very possible as the car was overheating on ocassions, sensors do not like serious heat. Simple answer is to change the temp sensor and see how it goes.
2. The connection for this sensor is either not connected or the wire is broken. Answer to this is find out where the sensor is located and check both the connection and wiring. Usual location is on the thermostat housing.
Sadly I do not have access to WIS at the moment so cannot dig deeper.
****************************************************************************************
post #6 of 7 Unread 02-19-2015, 01:41 AM Thread Starter
Joeadvert
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Cali
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
(Thread Starter)
Thanks very much for your responses thus far; I am sorry I haven't responded sooner, but I haven't had the time to take a look at my car to see what I could find.
I live about 2 hours away from where the car is being stored. So, that only allows me weekends to work with; and for every weekend since my post, my gf had me tied up with a relentless barrage of birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, you name it... so I haven't had any time to try your suggestions.
Drama.
Anyway, I won't be able to make it up to the car for 2-6 weeks from now.
I obviously don't expect you to wait for me, but I would appreciate you checking in on me for my progress, or more likely... more questions/help.
Anyway, ummm... if possible, eric242340 do you or anyone else have more details regarding the temp sensor, like what does it look like (maybe a pic), where is it located (maybe a pic or drawing/sketch), is it an easy install, etc...?
Also, this might be stupid to ask, but, RedLiner, et al, is "the pressure cap on the coolant reservoir" the plastic cap that screws on the plastic, container-like, thing with a small hose that runs into a nipple by the radiator cap? This is on the left side from front with hood open and on the wheel well front? If so, outside of a cracked/chapped up gasket, what should I be looking/"checking" for?
As for the fan clutch, RedLiner, it's been a while, but I never understood my fans, they always seemed odd to me... but most recently I seem to recall they would turn on almost immediately when I started the car, temps around 65 degrees. Other times, after I was driving for a while, parked and turned off the engine, sometimes the fans would keep running?
Of course, I'll start "googling", but if anyone has something really awesome that would be great!
Well, actually, beggars can't be choosers, so anything anyone has to offer is great! I especially like pictures and step-by-step, so if you know of any sources, web vids, etc... of, mostly the free variety, unless they are absolute must haves; of course it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much, really!!!
PS. My nephew is out on good behavior (and appears to be doing very well ), though an ankle device keeps him close to his home, far from my car, still.
****************************************************************************************
post #7 of 7 Unread 02-22-2015, 11:59 AM
RedLiner
Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Spain
Posts: 664
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
To get the best responses and help I would suggest that you join our sister forum and then copy and paste all of the above into this forum W124 E,CE,D,TD Class - Mercedes-Benz Forum
There are so many knowledgeable members on that forum they'll have you up and running a lot quicker than my meagre input.
### END ###
THANKS SO MUCH!
