1996 Mercedes Benz C220 electrical problems

Filed Sep 21, 2018 · Electrical · 217 miles · WA

Wiring throughout vehicle is insulated with a bio-degradable plastic. Shorting out of ignition and emission looms kill many who stall on freeways and 'inconvenient spots'. The insulation flakes off like corn flakes and electrical loss in many looms disable and imperal occupants.

Filed Oct 6, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 30,000 miles · FL

Was driving all gages went crazy started to back fire and died on the highway so I had a friend pull off the highway back to the shop the shop said the wiring haress was degraded and it cost 2,700 dollar to fix the sad thing is this car only has 30,000 mile's

Filed Feb 11, 2015 · Electrical, Fuel system · WA

My 1996 mercedes c220 has a defective engine wiring harness. The check engine light came on and I took it to my mechanic. He told me that this was due to the type of insulation that mercedes used for the wiring and the engine harness needs to be replaced asap. Mercedes used a bio-degradable wire cover that with high temps cracks and falls off. This has caused the engine to run rough, stall and loose power and is not safe to drive in traffic. This should have been taken care of with a recall by mercedes. Mercedes has been of no help except for me to pay to have it repaired.

Filed Dec 14, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 94,655 miles · CA

Engine wiring harness, and the transmission wiring harness, and the ignition coil harness, degraded to the point there are inches and inches of bare wires touching and shorting which causes the engine to quit. All three separate harness which reside with other harness which have not degraded. The engine quit on the freeway in rush hour traffic and nearly caused several accidents at 65 miles per hour. Repair shop want $3500 to change out the three harness with no assurance that the problem will not come back.

Filed Jan 1, 2013 · Acceleration, Electrical · 146,000 miles · IA

While accelerating the mercedes c220 will surge, stall and cut engine power or "cut out". Idle is unstable. Wiring harness insulation is crumbling.

Filed Jan 30, 2012 · Electrical · IL

Recently there was an issue with the car. The temperature gage was showing the vehicle as heating up. The temp would reach close to 120 f. After further investigation by our mechanic, the vehicle needed the entire electrical wiring to be replaced. Our mechanic said that if not replaced, the car would eventually catch on fire. The electrical wiring is faulty not due to wear and tear on the car but should have been recalled by mercedes for faulty wiring. The wiring has completely deteriorated and the wires are completely exposed and if the wires happen to touch each other, that is what will cause the fire. In order to get these wires replaced, it will cost well over $1500.00 to replace all the wiring.

Filed Dec 9, 2011 · Electrical · CA

Wiring harness damaged causing decreased performance, check engine light, and lower fuel economy.

Filed Mar 3, 2011 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · GA

Engine wiring harness wire insulation is beginning to biodegrade and crumble apart. Car will not be able to pass emissions without a replacement part, which costs no less than $1350 (for a wire bundle and hookups that are doomed to fail again in the same way), plus 4-7 hours of labor costs. Car has less than 60k miles on it and is in otherwise great condition. After speaking with the mechanic, he said anyone who owns this make of car will have a mandatory $2000 wire harness replacement fee somewhere along the way (at least once, if not every few years). Even with a replacement, it will only postpone the issue until the new one inevitably begins to break down. Extremely poor automotive design! Mercedes should be held accountable for what appears to be a massive design flaw affecting all cars of several similar models within a half-decade or more time frame. The makers of the faulty part are making bank off of mandatory repairs and part replacements due to their own negligence. That is absolutely wrong and unethical, and the makers should be held accountable and be forced to recall the part.

Filed Sep 4, 2008 · Electrical · NY · fire

I have a 1996 mercedes benz. The car literally shuts off on the road. I have replaced maf and o2 sensors repeatedly to no avail. I'm told by my mechanic that the problem is a corroded engine wiring harness.

Filed Aug 9, 2008 · Electrical · 138,000 miles · AL

Car surges, stalls, idles rough, and also revs at about 4000 RPM. Took to repair shop, was told electrical harness was deteriorating causing these problems and also other problems. Mechanic stated this was a common problem for early 90s mercedes. Wiring harness cost $1,198.75. Have not repaired at this time.