Loom

[Hanz]

Not sure if this fits in here, but anyway I'm not too sure what this is.

You may have read my previous posts about the E280 Estate I have brought. I was having problems:

Wouldn't change gear after 30,000 revs
Went up hills at 20mph or less
Keeps stalling on me
Terrible shuddering
Smells rich

At first I thought it was the MAF. People had suggested that's what it sounded like. I decided to take it to the garage.

It went into the garage monday 19th for a service and a checkover. Hopefully sorting out this problem. They did a check on it, and told me it was a coil causing all the problems. Simple I thought, fairly cheap. They ordered the part in monday, it arrived thursday as it keeps being sent to the wrong place. Great...

Now today they've called saying while trying to fit the coil, the loom is the problem, and all the wires are really bad. Quoted £600+ for a new loom without their work fitting it.

It's my first mercedes, and I am seriously ****ed off that they keep finding more and more wrong with it. I am meant to be carrying around lots of bits and pieces, but I can't now.

Anywhere I could pick up a loom from perhaps a little cheaper?

Hannah

 

[kth286]

Hannah

Did you not get a service history with the car showing the work that had been done on it ?????

As the engine wiring loom is a regular problem, a new one may have already been fitted - look at your paperwork.

How many miles has the car done ??

Have you got a guarantee with the car ?????? which may cover the work .

If the loom does need to be replaced, the cost is as quoted to you, and fitting is extra, but a Merc specialist as opposed to a main dealer is best.

Fitting can be done in about 3 hours as access to some connectors are very difficult.
If the loom is not replaced, but patched up, there is a risk that the ECU (main engine computer) may blow (ask me how I know) at a cost of around £1,000.

It is a good car to keep for many years and once this is done you should be OK.
Perhaps you paid "peanuts" for the car and may want to dispose of it without the great expenditure - a difficult decision.

Regards

 

[Kiwibins]

Interestingly I have had a similar problem. Took it to an independant Merc garage who said ECU was knackered and the loom was burnt out. Quoted me £700 and £1000 plus plus respectively. I said No thanks! Took the loom out and sent it to www.ecuclinic.co.uk. Was a problem. They fixed it for £280. Bargain. Took the car to a GOOD auto sparky. Nothing wrong with the loom. Tidied up one loose connector and are doing a FULL electrical inspection as we speak. Cost - £200 or so. And that will include new coils as I thought "hey why not change them now".

Moral - don't listen to so called experts!!! Get another opinion!!!!!!!

Electrics - hmmmmmmm.

Greg

1995 E320 Coupe
1980 450SL

 

[Hanz]

Thanks for your replies. I'm awaiting them calling AGAIN and saying the MAF has packed up. I need the car fixed asap and it's really costing.

In reply to kth286 the car has done 171,000 merc serviced miles and lots of paperwork, but can't find anything regarding loom. It all seems to be plugs and mudflaps (?!). In total the car has done 190,000.

There's no guarentee with the car, brought it private for a grand. It was beautiful with the test drive, no problems, seems to be a week later it started.

I don't want to get rid of it at all, it's lovely to drive when it's behaving.

Did you have the same symptoms when yours went?

Hannah

 

[turnipsock]

I replaced my loom last year. I still have the old one. The problem is that the insulation on the wires that attach to the coils have disintegrated.

It would be a difficult thing to repair as the wires run into a rubber moulding. I thought of soldering in new bits and covering the joints with heat shrink but there would always be the risk of shorting out with the adjacent wire which would probably damage the ECU.

I would think the only effective repair would be to cut into the loom and replace the whole rubber moulding and wires.

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=10829&page=2&highlight=cylinders

There are some pictures on this thread.

 

[big x]

If you only paid a grand and the car idles I would send the car to auction and you should get most of that back.Cars of this age are sold as seen,you don't need to declare any faults.IMO there is no point throwing money (almost as much as you paid) at a W124 of this mileage unless it's a coupe or soft top.Walk away.

adam

 

[turnipsock]

Now today they've called saying while trying to fit the coil, the loom is the problem, and all the wires are really bad. Quoted £600+ for a new loom without their work fitting it.

The problem with the wires (at the top of the engine) is that insulation becomes brittle with the heat and if you move the wires around to much, the insulation falls off.

Is the garage you took it to a Merc dealer?

If not, I would ask a dealer what they do in these situations. It maybe they have a cheaper repair.

IMHO, MB should have put another connector in the loom so that you could detach the bit that runs to the coils.

 

[Kiwibins]

All

Back to my coupe saga. I have the same issue in that a coil connector has burnt out. As I cannot afford to replace the entire loom I have gone for the cheap option. This is to replave the damaged wiring and then solder the wire direct to the coil pack. Sounds industrial but bear with me! Advantages are cost. However you also get a better connection to the coil packs direct. So the connection is more sound if you like. Downside is that if the coil dies I have to get the next coil reconnected and soldered on.

I figure the upside is worth the downside. Just means I will have to take it back to my most understanding auto electrician if the coil needs attention!

Greg

 

[turnipsock]

All

Back to my coupe saga. I have the same issue in that a coil connector has burnt out. As I cannot afford to replace the entire loom I have gone for the cheap option. This is to replave the damaged wiring and then solder the wire direct to the coil pack. Sounds industrial but bear with me! Advantages are cost. However you also get a better connection to the coil packs direct. So the connection is more sound if you like. Downside is that if the coil dies I have to get the next coil reconnected and soldered on.

I figure the upside is worth the downside. Just means I will have to take it back to my most understanding auto electrician if the coil needs attention!

Greg

You might be onto something there. It's a pity there isn't a source of coil connectors that you could wire in.

It would be possibile to repace the rubber section with a combination of wires and heatshrink, and wire that back into the original loom.

 

[Bolide]

You might be onto something there. It's a pity there isn't a source of coil connectors that you could wire in

There is - it's called a dealer

There's a coil connector repair kit for £20 / coil

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Hanz]

Well, more bad news. My ECU is now buggered they phoned to tell me today...

I'm really ****ed off, as the job gets more and more expensive...

I would honestly rather have the loom replaced. Now ECU problems I'm getting into more expensive...more than the car is worth... What if it's something else after that?

I'm torn between getting rid of it and repairing it. So much for Mercedes being an experience you never forget.

I took it to a local garage down the road, not a Merc specialist. Guess this is all a learning curve..

Not a very happy Hannah now...

 

[turnipsock]

I took it to a local garage down the road, not a Merc specialist. Guess this is all a learning curve..

I'm guessing that, at some point, they tried to start the engine after the insulation was broken. Hence they blew to ECU.

 

[kth286]

Hannah

How do they know the ECU has blown.

Where do you live - perhaps we can find you a local merc specialist ?

Regards

 

[Hanz]

They've had it a week now. Each time they phone the problem gets worst and worst...

I live in Somerset, about 6 miles from Yeovil.

Thanks

 

[big x]

I live near Yeovil,the only MB specialist I'm aware of is Cornerstone garage in Ilton.The problem is they don't strike me as a banger type place.I've heard of a £1000 quote to change the head gasket on a E280 ! They are knowledgeable though being ex-MB dealer mechanics.
If the car was mine I would break it for spares or take it to BCA Bridgewater (car auctions) as I previously said.

adam

 

[Thegemmesabogie]

I would think the only effective repair would be to cut into the loom and replace the whole rubber moulding and wires.

Like this?

 

[turnipsock]

Yes. That's it exactly.

Is that the dealer repair kit?

 

[Thegemmesabogie]

If you can find a part no for a 'dealer repair kit' you're a better man than me gunga din.

 

[turnipsock]

There is a coil connector repair kit mentioned already.

I guess you have cut off you old connectors and connected new bits of wire and then covered them a heat sheild.

 

[Thegemmesabogie]

There is a coil connector repair kit mentioned already.

I threatened my friendly parts guru with a wage rise if he found said part number. He's still in poor street.