This is such a great series. Just purchased a 1995 SL600 and it's got all the issues- working through it. Looks like someone changed out the upper (main) wiring harness so this was a really pleasant surprise. Bad news is Mass airflow and the throttle bodies need to be done, as well as the lower harness. Would love to see follow up videos on the MAF rewiring and what's involved!

Good times to be had,keep in mind the reason for the biodegradable wiring( as I understand it anyway) was an attempt to reduce land fill waste,several manufacturers used it for a period in the 90s. Also keep in mind your throttles are reversed,meaning the one on the left is controlling the right bank and the right is the left bank,also you can not rev the engine from under the hood or you will go into limp mode, it must sense input from the throttle pedal. I replaced my harnesses a few years back,but found nice reproduction pieces complete with new connectors and very similar rubber casing to the originals. As a whole it wasn't to difficult of a job, but don't be surprised if the modules are damaged,I would suggest sending them,along with the throttle bodies ( same wiring inside the bodies)to Victor while you are dealing with the harnesses.You will encounter worse as you go with these cars,but you are committed at this point,no turning back.dont be surprised if you end up pulling the intake and replacing the vacuum tube that sits in the valley if it has never been done,it will be brittle and falling apart if original. There is never a dull moment with these early v12 r129 cars,but once resolved of their neglect you wont regret the effort. Where did you score the star diagnostics from? I have been unsuccessful over the years,and also does your car have the led diagnostic button near the computer bank? It is just a two wire button with an led that will give you flash codes after holding in for 5 seconds or so,but must be repeated after each code. Sorry for all the rambling on, but we are a small group that keeps these cars going and information is very scarce compared to most other cars out there,so thank you for sharing your journey. P.S, did you see the email I sent with the front bumper pictures?

@cassidycarcave2781

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Glenn good to hear from you! Thanks again for watching and commenting. I'll check on the LED diagnostics I'm not sure if my car has it or not. I was able to get the Star system off of Alibaba. Victor amazing isn't he? I fully expect to get the same issues in my throttle bodies and then I will be heading to the post office with a package for him. I'm just glad the entire car wasn't wired with biodegradable wire!! Do you have any insight on getting the pins out of the connector for the MAF ECU? I have a lot of "keys" to get connectors out but so far haven't had any luck...thx!!!

I have been in love with the R129 SL since the day they came out when I was a young kid. As soon as I was old enough to drive I chased after an R129 and came so close to buying almost a dozen. But remember that at the time I didn't have credit, so the only R129 I could buy was the cheapest basket cases. There were not many out there like that in the late 90's early 00's but I think I found everyone within 500 miles. One story that stands out is I was looking at a black 1992 SL500 that a used car dealer just bought at auction, it was rough around the edges but still looked like a million bucks on the road. I remember I dressed nicely in suits when I looked at cars to try and help dealerships not to just think I was a punk kid. I remember test driving the SL with my girlfriend at the time, we pulled up at a light and decided to put the top down. I hit the red button and both my girlfriend and myself got sprayed with hydraulic oil all over our Sunday best clothes. It sprayed out from the sun visor area so I believe it was the latching valve. At that moment I wanted to die, lol, and my girlfriend was not happy either. We still had to get back in my Mercedes 190E with dove gray leather and drive an hour back home covered in oil.

@cassidycarcave2781

3 жыл бұрын

Now THAT is a real story!!! I can tell you I grew up only being able to look at not drive these cars. We all wanted to take our girls out in one. Can't imagine that feelings at the time but what fun to be able to tell that story now. These cars are really about that story tight? You love them until they don't love you back then you go get into another one. They are mechanically totaled on most breakdowns yet e still string them back together with vast amounts of money and time. Crazy thing is they are worth it!! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences...cars are fun:-)

@christopher88719

3 жыл бұрын

@@cassidycarcave2781 Exactly, the cars are passion projects. They always take time and money, but when they work right there is nothing like it at any price. I firmly believe at some point the R129 that have survived will be worth a fortune. The styling and performance of that car when it came out were second to none. The rare time you saw an SL in the early 90's you paid attention.

I remember some of those same car repair frustration looks on your face on a certain BMW when you were in college bro! Compounded by how the heck were you going to figure out how to fix it and pay for the needed parts! Glad you're doing it for fun now!

Thank you for these gems!!!

@cassidycarcave2781

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!!!

Gonna start calling you Dr.Rich from now on!

@cassidycarcave2781

3 жыл бұрын

Could not believe I didn't cut myself with that razer!!! Thx for checking in!!!

Been here with one I take care of. Victor made my harness and yes he does an awesome job. When you take the top cover off the engine (Center) you really see the horror on the wires as well. It handles fuel injection/temp sensors.

@cassidycarcave2781

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Keith!! What a crazy thing they did with these harnesses!!

@mduhanaj23

3 жыл бұрын

Roughly how much did it cost you?

@keithexum7312

3 жыл бұрын

@@mduhanaj23 roughly $1200.00

Good stuff

@cassidycarcave2781

3 жыл бұрын

I have repaired/replaced all four of the Bosch wiring harnesses that fail on this car now!!!! New video coming this week. Thanks for watching!

wow...it really was disintegrating inside of a sealed section section of harness.....way to go...hands of a 'surgeon'

@cassidycarcave2781

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bill!! It's unreal how a company could allow something as crazy as disintegrating wiring to go into a luxury car. I get the mistakes can happen but this should have been a massive recall. Thanks for watching and commenting :-)

What is the latest status on the SL600? Loving this in depth video series. Also, how would you recommend getting the Star tool for a Mercedes noobie?

Thank you for sharing your experiences. Not only in this video but all of them...especially for the SL 600. I just picked one up last week and already experiencing the "ASR/ Limp mode" issue. So far my only fix has been to disconnect, wait, and reconnect the battery, but I am almost certain that is a temporary fix. On the harnesses discussed in this video, is the only option to rebuild or are they available new? What exactly are they called if I was to search for one?

@cassidycarcave2781

3 жыл бұрын

The harness for the top of the engine that goes to the fuel injectors and the coolant temperature senders was available from Mercedes but now is mostly only available from specialty shops online. I think I paid $800 for mine. The Mass Air Flow (MAF) harness is still available from Mercedes BUT it has to be soldered in to the ECU connector in the box (called the coffin box) in the engine bay. The harnesses for the Throttle Bodies are not available. Some people on the forums have rewired theirs. I bought a rebuilt throttle body off Ebay as the motors inside the throttle body often go bad as well. The "lower" harness goes to the Starter, alternator, oil pressure and oil level switch. I could not find one online so I rewired mine...Yep (4) harnesses that all go bad. My car needed all 4. Check out Victor and restoreyourmercedes.com. He is the guru for these cars. Hope this helps and thanks for watching!

@nomotalkin1

3 жыл бұрын

@@cassidycarcave2781 This does help. Thank you for the prompt response!

Nice job , I will start to look at my car as well. I have 1997 C140 600. My car smells very bad from the exhaust

@cassidycarcave2781

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I love the car you have. They'll be one of my future....a similar version is on the way :-)

I have a 94 SL 600 as well. I heard you mention that you are using Star Diagnostics to diagnose your issues. Where can I find one that will be compatible with my vehicle? What exactly is the name of it? If you have any links or suggestions that would be awesome!!!

what year software is your hht in your star. the newer ones have limited hht

Hi were you able to change the cables?

I'm looking at one of these projects now. Did you ever get things sorted with the car? Would you do it again?

@cassidycarcave2781

Жыл бұрын

Hey J! I did get the car sorted. Sold it to my brother and he is loving it! I would do it again if I found another low mileage car that was cheap - less than $5k. Otherwise, it's worth it just to buy a nice one that has been cared for. I have all the Mercedes tools so it's a little easier for me but even then rewiring the MAF sensor harness was pretty awful. And any Mercedes with hydraulic suspension is one puddle away from a $4,000 repair. The V12 is pretty sweet and I love the classic look of these cars but even sorted they break all the time and will keep you busy on the weekends!! Not a daily driver but a great hobby car. Thanks for watching and commenting. I have a new shop and am considering some new videos but have bought a boat and a telescope and those hobbies are winning right now!

do you know what kind of pins they have in these wire harnesses? I would like to know what kind they are so I can know what to buy. thank you. also I did not find your vid on how to bleed the ADS system. I am looking to buy one of these r129 m120 cars and am doing my research. thank you. Also on your star c3, what software version do you have because many of the newer versions have very limited HHT functions. thanks for your response.

@cassidycarcave2781

2 жыл бұрын

Hey thanks for watching! I will be over at the shop this weekend and I'll take a look at the software and the pins.

@narcissistinjurygiver2932

2 жыл бұрын

@@cassidycarcave2781 thanks

Well done, Sir. A very good forensic CSI post-mortem for SL600 R129. Shall I replace the whole harness?

@cassidycarcave2781

3 жыл бұрын

And I'm not done yet!!! There is another harness, for the starter circuit, that is also biodegradable in these cars that I haven't checked yet!! Should have a MAF wiring video on this car this weekend...Thanks for watching and commenting!!

@hasrinmacintoshjawie

3 жыл бұрын

@@cassidycarcave2781 I owned a Merc SL600 R129 1994 (biodegradable issue). I would love to see an extensive harness/electrical restoration. I'm thrill to see & learn better from your next video.

@cassidycarcave2781

3 жыл бұрын

@@hasrinmacintoshjawie Thanks!! look for it towards the end of the weekend!!

@hasrinmacintoshjawie

3 жыл бұрын

@@cassidycarcave2781 I’m planning to send my Mercedes for a complete restoration. Perhaps HEMMELS UK or KIENLE Germany? Suggestion, please.

@cassidycarcave2781

3 жыл бұрын

@@hasrinmacintoshjawie sorry I'm in the US but generally go with someone who has restored your specific model and can show their work. Thanks!!!!

Where are you located my 2000 SL600 need to come to your shop to be fix

@cassidycarcave2781

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry Freddie I'm just an amateur hobbyist...look up the Car Wizard... he's the man for repairs. Thanks for watching!!

Wait a second.. shouldn't both MAF's be the same? One of yours is plastic and other is metallic, Why it is that?

@cassidycarcave2781

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Edvards! They are both the same...send me a time on the video where you saw a difference and I'll try to clear it up. Thanks for watching and commenting!!!!

@edvardsz3539

2 жыл бұрын

@@cassidycarcave2781 8:37. The driver side has an old style metal body where connector plugs in. The passenger side has plastic body. As far as I know, they both need to be metallic if your car has distributors. I have metallic on my 1992 300SE. The plastic MAF's came with the coil ignition

@cassidycarcave2781

2 жыл бұрын

@@edvardsz3539 Hey good eye!! I think what happened was I was swapping out the MAF sensors with some others I had in the shop. Unfortunately I think I swapped in a MAF that was for another Mercedes I had at the time. I was going bonkers trying to figure out my issue until I opened up the wiring harnesses for both MAF and saw there was NO insulation left on the wires!! I eventually put in new MAF sensors when I sold the car to my brother after I finished the rewiring. Thanks for watching and commenting. New videos coming soon!! I have moved to a new warehouse:-)