1994 Mercedes Benz SL electrical problems

Filed Apr 23, 2012 · Electrical, Transmission · 155,244 miles · KY

There are multiple inherant flaws with this model vehicle that affect the safety and roadworthiness of this automobile included herin as abserved by me in my ownership. I had replaced the main engine wiring harness that had insulation on the wires that litterally turned to dust! These wires were free to arc on eachother causing sudden loss of acceleration, causing sudden acceleration(this car is equiped with an electronic throttle body and will accelerate without driver imput), finally failed throttle response! All of these instances can, and will contribute to safety issues in the future, and certainly have contributed to accidents in the past, I can't begin to tell you how lucky I am to be able to report these issues having narrowly escaped many potential accidents (thankfully other cars have reliable braking systems). (that was the first harness replaced). The second harness to fail on me was the starter harness, again all of the insulation literally crumbled to dust and left bare unfused hot wires exposed, this could result in a battery explosion, arcing etc... The third harness that I have just been made aware is yet again failed is the air flow meter harness as diagnosed by mercedes benz of cincinnati. Again these wires are bare and I could physically see the wires arcing, which resulted in many driveability issues, including loss of acceleration. I really truely am amazed that this car has not caught on fire yet! The final flaw is the starter is located literally inches from the fuel vapor charcoal canister, it literally purges fuel vapor directly onto the starter! On many cases the car had a fuel smell while walking to the car, I would then turn the key with a huge brief explosion followed by smoke rolling out of the engine bay. It puzzles me how mercedes has failed to provide their customers with a safe automobile. I would be happier with a blown engine!!!

Filed Feb 10, 2010 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 118,170 miles · OH

Faulty biodegradable wiring in car causing a lot of problems and I nearly caused an accident to erratic engine function 3 times.

Filed Mar 17, 2009 · Electrical · 69,358 miles · FL

The check engine light came on. My mechanic said it was the engine wiring harness and it is a common problem. The complete engine harness is being replaced.

Filed Jul 26, 2008 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 157,000 miles · NY

Intermittent idle change and idle surges during driving. Also when coming to a stop the car cuts out.

Filed Jun 23, 2008 · Electrical · 34,500 miles · FL

I have a 1994 600sl mercedes (35,000 miles) with complete break down of all the electrical wire insulation. Upon my investigation I find that every sl has this problem. I would like mercedes to replace all the wiring harnesses including the harness to the throttle bodies.

Filed Apr 19, 2008 · Electrical · CA

All of a sudden, my car 1994 benz sl 320 stopped running and dealer replaced burned out engine wiring harness that cost me $1500 to fix.

Filed Feb 20, 2008 · Electrical · 93,289 miles · OH

I own a 1994 sl 600 mercedes benz. After paying 17,000 dollars for the car, I recently noticed the car stalling on the highway and in traffic. Major concern when in heavy traffic and the car stalls with everyone blowing their horns and I am driving a 135k dollar car. It finally breaks down and I have it towed to tony's foreign car in wilmington, nc for assessment. They inform me that it is the wiring harness failure and showed me the decomposition of the insulation on the wiring. They tell me it is a common failure of the 94 to 97 year models of mercedes and also let me know that I was lucky there was not fire because it was wiring to wiring contact (fire hazard). They also inform me that I am looking at a large bill to repair ($3000.00) because some other wiring is disintegrated. The car has always been garaged. Mercedes should be forced to do a factory recall and not asked because of the common failure, safety and expense to owners.

Filed Sep 13, 2007 · Electrical · 80,763 miles · VA

Wiring harness on 1994 mercedes benz sl600, with less than 80,000 miles . My mechanic estimated it would cost the cosumer between $7,000 to $10,000 to replace the harness. This is a known fault by mercedes benz resulting in a premature corrosion of the wiring harness running along the top of the engine. Mercedes is well aware of the problem and has a large stock to meet the demand. The car go into the unsafe mode during highway driving.

Filed Jul 1, 2007 · Electrical · CA

We own a 1994 mercedes benz sl600 which has been disabled for approximately 16 months. The vehicle gradually displayed unusual idling, acceleration problems 2 years ago. After several unsuccessful repair attempts, the engine (ignition) & throttle body wiring harnesses were found to be defective. The shielding for these wires has disintegrated so badly that all wires are contacting each other and causing the malfunction. The wire shielding is as brittle as a potato chip, breaking under the fingers. It is obvious that this issue was caused by mercedes benz using faulty wires in production of such vehicles. After thorough, educated & careful investigation, there is no question the manufacture is at fault in this case. Our repeated requests for resolution or even assistance from mercedes benz has been ignored. Mercedes benz is ignoring this issue as it does not exist. The last repair estimate was over $12000,00; considering such a high amount, repair is not feasible. Therefore, a car costing originally over $100,000, is rotting away waiting for repair resolutions. At this point the vehicle is inoperable and even a safety hazard to occupants even if it ran!. Extensive documentation of this defect (dismantling, removal & replacement procedure) has been recorded, along with step by step digital photographs. We will be happy to provide this evidence and be interviewed at your request. Its just not fair, we need your help!!!

Filed Apr 29, 2007 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · NC

On my sl320 I had the starter motor engage and would not cut off even when the key was out. The wiring harness had completely deteriorated. The insulation was cracked and falling off.