1995 Mercedes Benz E320: check engine light

Filed Aug 12, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 99,000 miles · OR · fire

I dropped off my car at auto shop due to my car starting rough, the AC and fan cut off, and check engine light came on. I was also concerned that this could be the wire harness as I had read about problem on the internet, and had discussed possible issue with various mercedes mechanics. I was told that mercedes benz had installed bio degradable wire harness that were resulting in premature deterioration. While my car was in the service bay at s the automotive shop my engine wire harness caught on fire! The mechanic was able to put the fire out before entire car and his shop caught on fire. I have asked him to retain harness for evidence, he said harness is in pieces due to extreme heat of this electrical fire. I am so thankful that the car caught on fire at the shop, or my entire family could have been killed. I say this as my electric locks were messed up, and sometimes I had to wait up to a minute or more to open the car doors and trunk, and also to lock my vehicle due to some sort of short. We could have all burned to death if the car caught on fire while driving on the highway, and we could not of exited the vehicle. This is a serious safety issue, and there needs to be a recall. There are over 700 complaints, along with dozens of fire complaints, regarding engine wiring harness defect on mercedes benz built between 1991-1997 with the federal safety agency. How many safety reports, engine harness fires, and possible harness fires resulting in death does it take for action in the form of a recall by mercedes benz and the federal safety agency? This is not a matter "if" these wire harness with fail, but when and how. I would like to request an investigation regarding my engine wiring harness that failed and caught on fire, and resulting damage to my car.

Filed Jan 21, 2010 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · CA

1995 mercedes benz e 320, deteriorating wiring harness in the engine compartment. I believe to be causing my check engine light to come on even after replacing the mass air sensor and 02 sensor. This problem was noticed over 10 years ago but are unaware of the complaints other owners have. Now the harness is brittle and in constant repair. I tend to think that this kind of components should last the life of the vehicle.

Filed Jun 17, 2009 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 1995 mercedes benz e320. The contact noticed that the engine warning light would sporadically illuminate on the instrument panel. Upon further inspection, he noticed that the wiring harness failed. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 95v031000 (electrical system:wiring); therefore, they would not assume responsibility for any repairs. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 100,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2008 · Electrical · 143,000 miles · VA

1995 mercedes e320, the engine wiring harness deteriorated and I have multiple short circuits in the car. The engine stalls, turns on the wiper shield, sets the alarm on and check engine light is on. A certified mercedes mechanic in autohaus yorktown (virginia) found out the same thing...wiring harness are exposed due to deterioration (w/c shouldn't be since it is plastic..but further research said that it is biodegradable).

Filed Apr 3, 2007 · Electrical · MN

Mercedes e320 1995 wiring harness failure. Car began to run rough, check engine lights would keep coming on. Dealer said they couldn't fix the car without replacing the entire engine wiring harness (which seemed ludicrous at the time since no american car I'd ever owned needed such a drastic fix) other dealers took the car for repair but all came to the same conclusion about the hopelessness problem of the harness. To add insult to injury, the harness is about 1,000.00 dollars un-installed...*jb now I understand that this problem happened to virtually all mercedes e320 of that 5 yr. Period but there was never a recall to protect all of the owners. I've never left town with the car because it always ends up on the side of the road as its' so undependable. So much for my first and last mercedes...

Filed Feb 20, 2007 · Electrical · 203,971 miles · KS

Tl*- the contact stated that the 1995 mercedes 320e, should be part of recall 95v031000 for electrical system:wiring that he found on the federal safety agency website. He stated that on 02/15/07 he began to notice the engine light was staying on, and he opened the hood of the vehicle and found that the wires in the vehicle were frayed. While driving the vehicle slowed down without notice. He had to pull the vehicle over and turn the power off and then restart the vehicle. The contact stated that he felt the vehicle should be on the recall due to the wiring burning out. The contact called the dealership, and stated that this vehicle was not apart of the recall and he will be responsible for repairs because of the mileage on the vehicle. The current and failure mileage were both 203971.*ak update 4/23/07

Filed Jan 17, 2007 · Electrical · 105,000 miles · CA

Wiring harness on my 1995 e320 has deteriorated to an unsafe condition and needs replacement. I have experienced several unusual check engine indications which have turned out to be false alarms. In one case it caused a problem for me in getting my california smog certification because of a false check engine light. After consulting with several mercedes authorized mechanics I have learned that this wiring harness condition is a know problem affecting several models over several years. I visually inspected the wires and can see the insulation cracking and crumbling before my eyes. I contacted mercedes benz USA in nj and was informed that my vehicle is not subject to recall and was 12 years old with high mileage (105000 miles). As a result I am forced to replace wiring harness at my own expense to rectify an obvious manufacture defect resulting in serious safety issues.

Filed Apr 27, 2006 · Electrical · 91,020 miles · GA

Wiring harness is coming apart at the seams. Causes endless check engine lights and other problems. I don't understand how a garaged car can have this problem.

Filed Jan 14, 2004 · Body, Electrical · FL

Failure of air conditioner, windshield wiper fluid, radio antenna, and oil leak. *la the A/C failed continuously since purchased, the front windows had broken motors the water pump blew, oil leaked into the cooling system and was replaced(water pump and head gasket was replaced), two engine mounts collapsed, driver's door rattled, engine light stayed on, and both front tires lost air and were filled every two weeks(five sets of tire). The consumer requested reimbursement.

Filed Jun 7, 2003 · Electrical · 147,000 miles · CA

Product:mercedes 1995 e320 sedan problem: the engine's wiring harness has its insulation made of pvc. Pvc cannot and has not tolerated the heat and vibration developed within this vehicle's engine compartment. It, the pvc insulation, has become so brittle it is literally chipping apart at every vital sensor and/or device- including fuel delivery components! This has me extremely concerned since I'm starting to get check engine signals to the dash display now. I called mercedes' 800 number and they are acting ignorant about this issue since I'm not the original owner.

Filed Feb 6, 2003 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · CA

I own a 1995 mercedes benz e320 station wagon that has 76,000 miles on it as of 2/6/03. During a 75,000 mile service, the dealer discovered that the engine compartment wiring harness was decomposing and needed to be replaced. Shortly afterward the "check engine " trouble light began to come on repeatedly. The entire engine wiring harness had to be replaced. The dealers service technician made a comment on my paperwork that the harness had frayed through in one area and was shorting out in a valve cover. This type of defective product constitutes a class 1 safety issue. Via the internet, I discovered that many other owners of this type car from 1994 to 1996 have experienced similar decomposing wiring harnesses. This situation should be addressed by a general recall and mercedes benz of north america should replace the defective wiring harnesses.