[Doni]

'94 S500.

Spent Thanksgiving Day R&R'ing distributor caps and rotors, plugs and wires, replacing the fuel filter, changing oil and filter and changing fluids. Today I'll over-inflate the tires and detail the car prior to storing it for the winter.

Next, the R129 gets the same treatment...'95 SL320.

 

[luschka]

Bought an aliexpress Star C3 Multiplexer/cables/Dell laptop complete kit.
Works out of the box, just two issues:

• The 38 pin to multiplexer cable doesn't have all the wires. It's at least missing Pin 7 (EGAS aka EA/CC/ISC on my car) and Pin 19 (DM diagnostic module on my car).
• China to US power adapter supplied with the laptop was useless (I just rewired the cord itself to a USA 3 prong plug)

Hopefully a new cable fixes the first issue. At least I was able to finally clear my SRS light with the provided cable!

In case you're curious, the going rate these days is $420 including shipping, 15 days shipping to east coast US.
Add $55 shipped for the better 38 pin to multiplexer cable I had to buy on ebay, after verifying it had more pins installed.
So, under $500 and under 1 month for a complete C3 setup, that's what it takes to use the OBD-1 Mercedes HHT diagnostic software that could probably run on an original GameBoy.

In other news, I took apart the center air vent to fix bent slats. They're aluminum and quite strong; you don't need to do what I did. They will most likely survive you bending them back with the vent installed- if you don't accidentally remove them. I essentially completely disassembled the whole unit because I had to swap out the plastic housing for a spare unit because one of the two mounting screw holes was destroyed probably by some ham-fisted country mechanic overtorquing. Did you know these air vents are a different color based on your interior? It's like 1 shade of gray darker than the one in my gray interior car, so I couldn't directly swap it. Ridiculous.

I wish I had a before picture - all the slats were U-shaped. That one errant slat on the right side was fixed just after the photo.
The malalignment of the glove box release unit was an existing problem; I think it may just be due to warping of the dashboard. I couldn't fix that.

 

[PC S class]

On the vents, that little knob that controls the direction of the vents, do you have a spare one? I have been looking for one however I don't know the name of it or have a part #. I think it just slides on but I think they come in different sizes? I have a S500

 

[luschka]

Installed an electronic throttle assembly (ETA) rebuilt by Don Roden for $479, it is working well. Due to a fault showing up via my Star C3 computer, I also had to replace the ABS solenoid valve A7/3K1 (didn't know which was K1 vs K2, replaced both from parts car).
Also replaced the crank breather lines going to the ETA, the MAF to ETA boot.
Did an oil change. Saw that FCPeuro has nerfed their lifetime warranty deal; now the warranty refunds are for store credit, they used to go back to your card.
Replaced the 30 year old, 88,000 mile steering damper just because. The original was functionally identical to the replacement; these dampers are suprisingly resilient.

Spoiler: ETA Rebuilder Don Roden Contact Info

Don Roden
RFC Electronics
(256) 974-9387
(844) 227-8879 FAX
6755 County Road 217
Hillsboro, AL 35643

 

[Junior14]

Installed an electronic throttle assembly (ETA) rebuilt by Don Roden for $479, it is working well. Due to a fault showing up via my Star C3 computer, I also had to replace the ABS solenoid valve A7/3K1 (didn't know which was K1 vs K2, replaced both from parts car).
Also replaced the crank breather lines going to the ETA, the MAF to ETA boot.
Did an oil change. Saw that FCPeuro has nerfed their lifetime warranty deal; now the warranty refunds are for store credit, they used to go back to your card.
Replaced the 30 year old, 88,000 mile steering damper just because. The original was functionally identical to the replacement; these dampers are suprisingly resilient.

Spoiler: ETA Rebuilder Don Roden Contact Info

Don Roden
RFC Electronics
(256) 974-9387
(844) 227-8879 FAX
6755 County Road 217
Hillsboro, AL 35643

Any idea if Don R also offers wiring harness rebuild/refurbish? Figured I'd ask before giving him a call. Thanks!

 

[luschka]

Any idea if Don R also offers wiring harness rebuild/refurbish? Figured I'd ask before giving him a call. Thanks!

You would have to ask him, I don't know.

 

[Junior14]

You would have to ask him, I don't know.

No prob, I'll reach out if need be.

 

[Kodi325]

got this in the mail today. gonna pop it on this week. very cool and totally free

Kodi-

 

[Junior14]

So cool! I'm nearing 155k. Can't wait to mail in for a badge of my own.

 

[Kodi325]

View attachment 2810120 View attachment 2810118 View attachment 2810120 View attachment 2810119
got this in the mail today. gonna pop it on this week. very cool and totally free

Kodi- View attachment 2810119
View attachment 2810118

https://www.mbusa.com/content/dam/mb-nafta/us/theme-pages/classic-car-center/classic-car-community/HMA%20Application%20Form%2019-02-28.pdf

 

[luschka]

https://www.mbusa.com/content/dam/mb-nafta/us/theme-pages/classic-car-center/classic-car-community/HMA%20Application%20Form%2019-02-28.pdf

What do you do for the dealer representative field? The dealer that sold my car new, 30 years ago, has closed. Think you can get away with just putting some local dealer on there and forging a signature? It would be a little weird walking into a dealer and asking them to sign something for my old car.

 

[Kodi325]

What do you do for the dealer representative field? The dealer that sold my car new, 30 years ago, has closed. Think you can get away with just putting some local dealer on there and forging a signature? It would be a little weird walking into a dealer and asking them to sign something for my old car.

i just looked up the closest dealers, looked under employees, then scribbled a dr style sig for one of them they do not check or confirm. heh

Kodi-

 

[Junior14]

I replaced the OG biodegradable wiring harness on my '95 S320 on Saturday. Took me about 3.5 hours going slow and double checking all connections. Car now runs and drives well. Still some lingering issues, but I am just happy to have a car that isn't a paperweight anymore.

Initial issues after first drive:

HVAC controls sometimes have a mind of their own. Randomly turning off, or staying running after engine is off. Other times work as intended. Lots of great info in the forum about this.

Idle is inconsistent when trans is in gear. Constantly changes between 500-600 RPM. Not a big deal, but you can feel the car attempting to move when the idle adjusts up.

Engine runs very rough on initial cold startup. Almost dies, revs to 2000 RPM, then settles into proper idle. I have a hunch it's a fuel pump.

I need a new gas cap. I took a hard left turn and fuel poured down the side of the car. Ordered a new one today. Thinking this may also have something to do with my idle. If the fuel tank isn't sealed the pump may have a hard time running properly.

Overall, I'm very happy to have a running car at the moment. The other issues seem relatively minor. Not bad for a day's work!