1994 MERCEDES BENZ C220 Electrical System Problems

ENGINE HARNESS CRUMBLING/FALLING APART CAUSING CAR TO STALL ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. *TR

Mileage: 167,000

THE WIRING INSULATION PREMATURELY DISINTEGRATED UNDER NORMAL USE CAUSING THE WIRES IT IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT AND INSULATE, TO SHORT CAUSING MANY PROBLEMS. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCEDES BENZ C220. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 214,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MY C-220 BEGAN TO BE HARD TO START. IT ALSO HAD A NOISE OF RUNNING HARD. THEN IT STARTED SHUTTING OFF ON ME. I HAD IT CHECK OUT AND THE WIRES OF THE FUEL INJECTOR HARNESS JUST BEGAN TO CRUMBLE. *TR

Mileage: 194,000

IT ALL STARTED WHEN I WAS WARMING UP THE CAR BEFORE WORK AND I WENT BACK INSIDE MY HOUSE WHEN I RETURNED THE CAR HAD SHUT OFF. LATER AT A STOP LIGHT THE CARS ENGINE SHUT OFF AGAIN. I'M AT FEAR WHEN EVER I STOP THAT THE CAR MAY CUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND WHEN RESET IT CAME BACK ON. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE HARNESS IS DETERIORATING INSIDE. THE MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN SHOWED IT TO ME. THE COST TO REPAIR THE ENGINE HARNESS, I WAS QUOTED AND ESTIMATE OF $1700.00 MAYBE I WAS TOLD. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

AS I HAVE BEEN READING, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, YET NO RECALL HAS HAPPENED. THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS IS DISINTEGRATING FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN AGE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE IS STARTING TO EXHIBIT STALLING ISSUES AND ROUGH RUNNING, ALSO FAULT CODES ARE PRODUCED ON THE CAR COMPUTER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE AND FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

MY 1994 MERCEDES C220 VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STOP RUNNING DURING A 120 MILE TRIP AT 10 PM. DURING COLD WEATHER MY PREGNANT WIFE AND I WERE LUCKY TO HAVE A SIGNAL ON OUR CELL PHONE WE CONTACTED AAA HAD TO WAIT 1 HOUR FINALLY VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE NEXT DAY A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND HE ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO AN INJECTORS WIRE HARNESS THAT LOST INSULATING CAPACITY CAUSING WIRES TO TOUCH EACH OTHER CREATING A CIRCUIT SHORT AND FUEL INJECTORS MALFUNCTION. *TR

Mileage: 200,000

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS COMPLETELY DETERIORATED. ABS LIGHT IS ON. SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING , CAR REVS AT HIGH RPM, FUEL GAUGE NOT PRECISE, CAR STARTS BY ITSELF, STARTER BURNED BECAUSE IT ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. *TR

WIRING HARNESS DISINTEGRATED, SAID TO BE MADE OF CORNSTARCH IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH GERMAN GOVERNMENT MANDATE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE THERMOSTAT IN HIS VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AND THE ENGINE WAS NOT GETTING WARM ENOUGH WHICH THEN INCREASED THE VEHICLES ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WOULD ONLY HAPPEN IN THE WINTER. UPDATED 02/22/11

Mileage: 300,000

MY 1994 MERCEDES C220 ENGINE WIRE HARNESS HAS DETERIORATED AND THE INSULATION IS DISINTEGRATING. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM FOR MBZ, AND POSSES A SAFETY CONCERN WHEREBY THE CAR CAN CATCH FIRE. MBZ USA SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE AND PROVIDE SOME MEANS TO HAVE OWNERS REPLACE THE HARNESS UNDER A SHARED COST PROGRAM. *JB

Mileage: 154,000

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED WHICH HAS CAUSED CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE CONTROL. ALMOST CAUSED A HIGHWAY ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF LOSS OF COMMUNICATION FROM THROTTLE SENSOR. *JB

Mileage: 148,000

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED WHICH HAS CAUSED CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE CONTROL. ALMOST CAUSED A HIGHWAY ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF LOSS OF COMMUNICATION FROM THROTTLE SENSOR. *JB

Mileage: 148,000

MY CAR BEGAN TO SUFFER ELECTRICAL AND OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS. OVER THE COURSE OF A MONTH, MY CAR WAS AT THE MECHANIC ALMOST EVERY DAY WITH ODD NEW PROBLEMS. MY WORST FEAR HAD COME TRUE, AS MY MECHANIC HAD WARNED ME. MY CAR'S WIRE HARNESS HAD BEGAN TO FALL APART, EVEN SIMPLY TOUCHING IS WOULD CAUSE IT TO DISINTERGRATED WHICH CAUSED MANY PROBLEMS FOR MY CAR. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME FOR THE EARLY 90S TO 95 MODEL YEARS THEY HAVE CHANGED MANY OF THE WIRE HARNESS ON THESE CAR'S. I CONTACTED MERCEDES WANTING TO WORK OUT A DEAL FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE WIRE HARNESSES, AND WAS TOLD NO SUCH PROBLEM EXISTED. CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS VERY RUDE TO ME, AND IT ENDED WITH MERCEDES ACCUSING ME OF CREATING A FALSE CLAIM TO EXTORT THE COMPANY. I WAS HURT BY THE WAY THEY TREATED ME, AND VOWED NEVER TO BUY A NEW MERCEDES AGAIN. I HAVE MY OLD WIRE HARNESS, AND YOU CAN'T EVEN TOUCH SOME SECTIONS OF IT...IT'LL SIMPLY FALL APART. IN THE END I PAID $2000 DOLLARS FOR A NEW HARNESS, INSTALL...FEW DAYS WORTH OF DIAGNOSIS TIME WAS ADDED TO THE BILL ALSO, AND THE POWER SURGES CAUSED MY BULBS AND SOME MINOR PARTS TO BLOW, IN TOTAL AFTER TAXES I WAS IN IT FOR $3000 DOLLARS. MERCEDES THINKS I'M LYING AND THIS PROBLEM NEVER EXISTED...CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS RUDE ENOUGH TO TELL ME, ITS NOT THEIR FAULT IF I GOT RIPPED OFF...EXACTLY RIPPED OFF BUYING A MERCEDES. *JB

WE ARE EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT, PARASITIC DRAIN OF OUR NEW ( LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD) BATTERY WITHIN A 12 HOUR WINDOW. IF WE CATCH IT BEFORE THE 12 HOURS, WE _CAN_ START THE C220. IF WE WAIT LONGER THAN 12 HOURS, THE BATTERY IS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE STARTER SELENOID. IT IS ALSO UNABLE TO POWER _ANY_ OF THE VEHICLE SYSTEMS - NO LIGHTS, NO DASH INSTRUMENTATION, NO RADIO, NOTHING WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 ( THREE) TIMES - EACH TIME REQUIRING A JUMP START. MB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS INVOLVED IN THE FIRST 2 (TWO) EPISODES, AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS _NOT_ WITH THE BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM AND SUGGESTED WE HAVE THE VEHICLE TESTED. WE HAD THE TESTING DONE AT MAINLY BENZ SERVICE - 845.452.3645 - WITH NO FAULTS FOUND. THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, THE C220 WORKED JUST FINE - WE HAVE NOT KEPT A LOG ON THE EVENTS, BUT WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TIME-FRAME IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY SHORTER - NOW ABOUT 12 HOURS - DOWN FROM 14 DAYS - BEFORE THE BATTERY IS TOTALLY DRAINED. WHILE THIS IS NOT LIFE-THREATENING - IT IS CERTAINLY ANNOYING. I EXPECT MORE FROM THE ENGINEERS AT MB. WE HAVE AN EXPENSIVE - GREAT LOOKING - PAPERWEIGHT.

Mileage: 77,496

WE ARE EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT, PARASITIC DRAIN OF OUR NEW ( LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD) BATTERY WITHIN A 12 HOUR WINDOW. IF WE CATCH IT BEFORE THE 12 HOURS, WE _CAN_ START THE C220. IF WE WAIT LONGER THAN 12 HOURS, THE BATTERY IS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE STARTER SELENOID. IT IS ALSO UNABLE TO POWER _ANY_ OF THE VEHICLE SYSTEMS - NO LIGHTS, NO DASH INSTRUMENTATION, NO RADIO, NOTHING WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 ( THREE) TIMES - EACH TIME REQUIRING A JUMP START. MB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS INVOLVED IN THE FIRST 2 (TWO) EPISODES, AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS _NOT_ WITH THE BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM AND SUGGESTED WE HAVE THE VEHICLE TESTED. WE HAD THE TESTING DONE AT MAINLY BENZ SERVICE - 845.452.3645 - WITH NO FAULTS FOUND. THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, THE C220 WORKED JUST FINE - WE HAVE NOT KEPT A LOG ON THE EVENTS, BUT WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TIME-FRAME IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY SHORTER - NOW ABOUT 12 HOURS - DOWN FROM 14 DAYS - BEFORE THE BATTERY IS TOTALLY DRAINED. WHILE THIS IS NOT LIFE-THREATENING - IT IS CERTAINLY ANNOYING. I EXPECT MORE FROM THE ENGINEERS AT MB. WE HAVE AN EXPENSIVE - GREAT LOOKING - PAPERWEIGHT.

Mileage: 77,496

WE ARE EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT, PARASITIC DRAIN OF OUR NEW ( LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD) BATTERY WITHIN A 12 HOUR WINDOW. IF WE CATCH IT BEFORE THE 12 HOURS, WE _CAN_ START THE C220. IF WE WAIT LONGER THAN 12 HOURS, THE BATTERY IS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE STARTER SELENOID. IT IS ALSO UNABLE TO POWER _ANY_ OF THE VEHICLE SYSTEMS - NO LIGHTS, NO DASH INSTRUMENTATION, NO RADIO, NOTHING WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 ( THREE) TIMES - EACH TIME REQUIRING A JUMP START. MB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS INVOLVED IN THE FIRST 2 (TWO) EPISODES, AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS _NOT_ WITH THE BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM AND SUGGESTED WE HAVE THE VEHICLE TESTED. WE HAD THE TESTING DONE AT MAINLY BENZ SERVICE - 845.452.3645 - WITH NO FAULTS FOUND. THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, THE C220 WORKED JUST FINE - WE HAVE NOT KEPT A LOG ON THE EVENTS, BUT WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TIME-FRAME IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY SHORTER - NOW ABOUT 12 HOURS - DOWN FROM 14 DAYS - BEFORE THE BATTERY IS TOTALLY DRAINED. WHILE THIS IS NOT LIFE-THREATENING - IT IS CERTAINLY ANNOYING. I EXPECT MORE FROM THE ENGINEERS AT MB. WE HAVE AN EXPENSIVE - GREAT LOOKING - PAPERWEIGHT.

Mileage: 77,496

WE ARE EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT, PARASITIC DRAIN OF OUR NEW ( LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD) BATTERY WITHIN A 12 HOUR WINDOW. IF WE CATCH IT BEFORE THE 12 HOURS, WE _CAN_ START THE C220. IF WE WAIT LONGER THAN 12 HOURS, THE BATTERY IS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE STARTER SELENOID. IT IS ALSO UNABLE TO POWER _ANY_ OF THE VEHICLE SYSTEMS - NO LIGHTS, NO DASH INSTRUMENTATION, NO RADIO, NOTHING WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 ( THREE) TIMES - EACH TIME REQUIRING A JUMP START. MB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS INVOLVED IN THE FIRST 2 (TWO) EPISODES, AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS _NOT_ WITH THE BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM AND SUGGESTED WE HAVE THE VEHICLE TESTED. WE HAD THE TESTING DONE AT MAINLY BENZ SERVICE - 845.452.3645 - WITH NO FAULTS FOUND. THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, THE C220 WORKED JUST FINE - WE HAVE NOT KEPT A LOG ON THE EVENTS, BUT WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TIME-FRAME IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY SHORTER - NOW ABOUT 12 HOURS - DOWN FROM 14 DAYS - BEFORE THE BATTERY IS TOTALLY DRAINED. WHILE THIS IS NOT LIFE-THREATENING - IT IS CERTAINLY ANNOYING. I EXPECT MORE FROM THE ENGINEERS AT MB. WE HAVE AN EXPENSIVE - GREAT LOOKING - PAPERWEIGHT.

Mileage: 77,496

WE ARE EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT, PARASITIC DRAIN OF OUR NEW ( LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD) BATTERY WITHIN A 12 HOUR WINDOW. IF WE CATCH IT BEFORE THE 12 HOURS, WE _CAN_ START THE C220. IF WE WAIT LONGER THAN 12 HOURS, THE BATTERY IS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE STARTER SELENOID. IT IS ALSO UNABLE TO POWER _ANY_ OF THE VEHICLE SYSTEMS - NO LIGHTS, NO DASH INSTRUMENTATION, NO RADIO, NOTHING WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 ( THREE) TIMES - EACH TIME REQUIRING A JUMP START. MB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS INVOLVED IN THE FIRST 2 (TWO) EPISODES, AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS _NOT_ WITH THE BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM AND SUGGESTED WE HAVE THE VEHICLE TESTED. WE HAD THE TESTING DONE AT MAINLY BENZ SERVICE - 845.452.3645 - WITH NO FAULTS FOUND. THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, THE C220 WORKED JUST FINE - WE HAVE NOT KEPT A LOG ON THE EVENTS, BUT WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TIME-FRAME IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY SHORTER - NOW ABOUT 12 HOURS - DOWN FROM 14 DAYS - BEFORE THE BATTERY IS TOTALLY DRAINED. WHILE THIS IS NOT LIFE-THREATENING - IT IS CERTAINLY ANNOYING. I EXPECT MORE FROM THE ENGINEERS AT MB. WE HAVE AN EXPENSIVE - GREAT LOOKING - PAPERWEIGHT.

Mileage: 77,496

WE ARE EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT, PARASITIC DRAIN OF OUR NEW ( LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD) BATTERY WITHIN A 12 HOUR WINDOW. IF WE CATCH IT BEFORE THE 12 HOURS, WE _CAN_ START THE C220. IF WE WAIT LONGER THAN 12 HOURS, THE BATTERY IS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE STARTER SELENOID. IT IS ALSO UNABLE TO POWER _ANY_ OF THE VEHICLE SYSTEMS - NO LIGHTS, NO DASH INSTRUMENTATION, NO RADIO, NOTHING WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 ( THREE) TIMES - EACH TIME REQUIRING A JUMP START. MB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS INVOLVED IN THE FIRST 2 (TWO) EPISODES, AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS _NOT_ WITH THE BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM AND SUGGESTED WE HAVE THE VEHICLE TESTED. WE HAD THE TESTING DONE AT MAINLY BENZ SERVICE - 845.452.3645 - WITH NO FAULTS FOUND. THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, THE C220 WORKED JUST FINE - WE HAVE NOT KEPT A LOG ON THE EVENTS, BUT WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TIME-FRAME IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY SHORTER - NOW ABOUT 12 HOURS - DOWN FROM 14 DAYS - BEFORE THE BATTERY IS TOTALLY DRAINED. WHILE THIS IS NOT LIFE-THREATENING - IT IS CERTAINLY ANNOYING. I EXPECT MORE FROM THE ENGINEERS AT MB. WE HAVE AN EXPENSIVE - GREAT LOOKING - PAPERWEIGHT.

Mileage: 77,496

BRITTLE, DEFECTIVE UNDERHOOD WIRING HARNESS CAUSING STALLING/LOSING POWER AT SPEED, HIGH EMISSIONS AND ENGINE FIRES. *AK

Mileage: 14,760

CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE WIRING HARNESS 3 TIMES. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT CAUSE OR FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK

VEHICLE STALLS MOSTLY WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL AROUND 40 MPH. DEALER HAS REPLACED COMPUTER AND RELAY TO FUEL PUMP/ FUEL PUMP. AND VARIOUS OTHER PARTS. HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM.*AK

THE INSULATION ON THE ENGINE WIRING OF THIS CAR HAS COMPLETELY DISINTIGRATED IN NORMAL USE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND INDEPENDENT GARAGE HAVE REPLACED THE WIRING ON MANY OTHER CARS OF THIS MODEL. WITH MUCH OF THE BARE WIRING EXPOSED, IT IS BOTH A SEVERE FIRE RISK, AS WELL AS POSING A SEVERE RISK OF ENGINE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. *AK