Underhood Wiring problems of the 1996 Mercedes Benz C220

1996 mercedes C220 - wiring has deteriorated to the point of the car no longer running, but they want to charge me $1080 just for the 30 feet of wiring harness to replace it - not to mention labor charges. Driving down the highway and the car just flooded out, started smoking, and quit. Now it will start then immediately die. Mechanic showed me the inside of numerous engine wiring channels where exposed copper wires lay next to each other with crumbly dry-rot looking rubber material which used to be insulation. This car has been meticulously taken care of. I have searched and found this problem reported all over the internet with people complaining but mb refuses to repair for a cheaper charge for their own factory defect. The dealer says that many left the assembly line already cracked back in 1996 as they had to replace many under warranty back then. This sounds like a deliberate scam to force customers to pay high repair costs for a known factory defect.

The 1996 mercedes C220 had a defective engine wiring harness. The check engine light came on and I serviced the car. The mechanic mentioned that mercedes used a recycled wiring cover that with the high temperature cracked and even melted. I was told by the service technician that he changed a few, and there was no charge. My car was not included, and I was requested to pay for everything. This was unexplainable. I had to pay twice for the diagnostic ($120) and for the labor ($700. ). The engine wiring harness costs $1400. 00. I am negotiating with customer service if they could cover the costs because it was an issue of poor workmanship or quality. I have never herd of engine wires cracking and melting on a car!! the service person was very nice and mentioned that this was not the first time and some even resulted in fires. I do believe that this should be recalled in all cars that Mercedes Benz cars that have been equipped with this type of recycled wire covering. It is a danger to all that drive this cars and others that it may effect if an accident results. To ignore this issue after it has been brought to the attention of customer service is to hold them liable in all accidents, deaths and injury that involve these vehicles.