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It’s too bad, because that MB inline-six cylinder engine, and the newer transmisstions in the 1997 model are VERY GOOD. The engine itself can run for hundres of thousands of miles. It’s just with wire isolation that can degrade makes the whole car a bad (unsafe) buying decision.
Note: Some reports claim the bad wiring stopped at 1996 models, still other reports demonstrate it continued to the end of 1999. As you can see from the link further down at RepairPal, (reports from car owners) the reported claims extend to 1997.
None of this is my wording. All of the below research comes from the website links located at the end of each report for you to verify yourself.
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Inspite of all the myth and glory surrounding the brand, it may shock you to find out that between 1992 and 1996, [ maybe until 1999 ] virtually ALL Mercedes-Benz produced, from the cheapest to the opulent, were equipped with certain engine wiring components that disintegrate over time. The wiring insulation under the hood cracks and falls apart. It doesn’t matter how well you maintain your car, if you drive it little or alot, if you garage it or let it sit out in the street, if you pamper or abuse it – the insulation in the engine wiring harness will crack and eventually turn into dust over time. There is no way of stopping this from happening, for the wire insulators were built purposefully with “green” materials that crumble. Bare spots on wires start shorting, and strange things begin to happen to your car.
“There is clear and convincing evidence that the problem [degradable wiring] is a direct result of a design and manufacturing defect. Further, there is evidence that Mercedes Benz USA has been aware of the problem as far back as 1995, yet failed to act proactively and in good faith. There is also irrefutable evidence that the defect materially affects the usability, fitness of use, safety, value and reasonable expectations of enjoyment of the vehicle, and that the premature failure of the wiring presents no reasonable argument for normal “wear and tear”.’
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Mercedes-Benz made an engineering blunder of gigantic proportions when it decided to use an inferior and unsuitable material for the insulation on the electrical wires of their vehicles. This insulation prematurely disintegrates under normal use causing the wires it is designed to protect and insulate, to short causing many problems.
To add insult to the injury, the very dangerous safety defect also causes collateral damage in other parts of the engines. The expenses of there repairs may exceed the value of the vehicle. The collateral damage extends to very expensive and critical components of the vehicle such as the various computer modules and ECU’s (Electronic Control Units) that regulate the engine’s operation and the microprocessor-controlled fuel injection system,Defective Mercedes Wire Harness, C280 Sensor including the PMS (Pressurized Engine Control) Control Unit, the Engine System Power Control Unit, The HFM (Hot Film Air Mass Sensor) control unit and many others. Replacing these modules cost in excess of $10,000 in many cases. The computer modules get fatally damaged by the shorted wires in the harness.
READ MORE:
http://www.mercedesdefects.com
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RepairPal.com
Mercedes-Benz SL320 Insulation Degrades on Engine Wiring Harness and Leaves Conductors Exposed
Model Years Affected: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
Average Mileage: 80,000 – 120,000 mi (120,000 mi – 120,000 mi)The engine wiring can degrade because the insulating material falls off leaving the bare wire exposed. This can cause many problems depending on which wires are exposed and what they touch. MB had used recycled rubber for wiring insulation not suited for the engine compartment and they new about the problem and refused to do anything about the problem leaving the owners to deal this and other problems due the use of inferior parts and components in the vehicles manufacture.
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RepairPal.com
Common Issues on SL320
Hard/soft Tops May Develop Problems Due to Age
Radiators Break Due to Degradation of the Plastic Tanks and Fittings
Insulation Degrades on Engine Wiring Harness and Leaves Conductors Exposed
High Usage Vehicles May Experience Ignition Lock and Tumbler Failures
Transmission Oil Seals May Leak on High Mileage Vehicles———————————————————————–
Mercedes Defects started in early 90s
“After hours of research on the internet (18+) I learned that the defect problem is even more widespread than most realize. Mercedes does not want the public to know about this defect. They continue to deny any problem yet virtually every Mercedes forum is full of complaints by owners about their terrible experiences”.
Read on:
http://www.ebay.com/gds/Mercedes-Defects-started-in-early-90s-/10000000008277768/g.html
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Customer Complaints from a LATER model with wiring harness issues
All the below consumer experience reports have can be found at the following link:
http://www.mercedesdefects.com/2008/04/wire-harness-defect.html
Posted Octover 15, 2014
“This is related to a critical safety issue on Mercedes-Benz vehicles manufactured approximately from 1991 to the present. All these vehicles have an acknowledged and widely known problem with the engine wiring harness that has caused fires, vehicle sudden stalls on highways and other incidents. The harness will fail on all these vehicles as it is defectively constructed with an unsuitable insulation that prematurely disintegrates over time regardless of usage or mileage. The harness is a critical element of the vehicles’ operation as it directly affects ignition, fuel injection, timing, cooling, rpm, mixture and other critical functions of the engine.
The manufacturer is aware of the problem, and, absent involvement from the NHTSA or civil action, has refused to address it in a proactive and responsible manner. It is of the utmost importance that the DOT gets actively involved before a very preventable and regrettable fatal accident occurs as a result of this defect.
There are a large number of complaints made by furious MB owners that have been victimized as a result of this known defective design.
This should not be happening on a so called luxury vehicle that you pay a premium price for so that you can have better quality”.Posted 5/22/2011
“The main wiring harness on my 2006 E350 has disintegrated due to a manufacturing defect. The manufacturer has used an inferior and unsuitable insulation for the wires, which, is brittle, cracking and falling off exposing bare wires, creating an extremely hazardous situation. The wire insulation deterioration is causing the wires to short and prevents the vehicle from functioning correctly. This is creating a serious safety hazard. (possible, fire in engine, etc). Due to the seriousness, I recommended the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration order the manufacture to properly investigate and issue a safety recall. The manufacturer is aware of the defect but refuses to provide a solution. I purchased this vehicle new and operated under normal conditions. The Vehicle has been regularly serviced and maintained by Mercedes Benz authorized dealers since it was new. The Vehicle has been well kept and maintained”.
Gregory Chassin
gchassin@tampabay.rr.comPosted April 7, 2013
“When wiring harnesses started shedding their insulation due to inferior chemical composition I saw the trouble coming like a big flashing hazard sign”.
Posted 2/4/2014
“Hi my name is Todd and I had a 2006 ML350. It spontaneously caught fire as it was parked for two hours after I had driven it. The firemen state in the report it was an electrical fire and started from a short in the rear taillight harness, much like the investigation in the C-class. They could determine that in only twenty minutes time. It was deemed totaled and luckily It didn’t kill anyone”.
Posted 9/3/2014
“1994 s500 wiring fried, almost killed me…. Lost all power, on a steep hill. Had to ditch to the side of the road, very dangerous road with 800ft drop off… I can’t believe this Co. Produced a over one hundred thousand dollar car that self distructs.. This is going to cost me a fortune & now the repair gentleman tell me the throttle Harn. Is also fried.. HAY mercedes, did you intend on killing me or what. Please help & make good on this predisposed to decompose fault on my beautiful car… It wants to live & so do I”.
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