89 260E idle surge

Stunnd · 05-09-2004, 12:00 AM

I bought a 1989 260E recently that has 108,000 miles on it. I thought it was a good deal, but it's turning into a money pit. It currently has a problem where the idle just surges randomly on its own. It is an intermittent problem and the 3 mechanics I've used haven't found the problem yet. Some new parts include a throttle body, fuel pump, fuel lines, fuel distributor, fuel filter, starter, and overload relay. The MB dealership also claims it needs a valve job. Has anyone ever experienced this surging idle before? This is my first Benz and I'm quite discouraged.

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Edgar · 05-09-2004, 03:31 AM

could possibly be due to a fault in the oxygen/ lambda sensor that's causing the surge when idle. Had the same problem, which was rectified when the sensor was replaced!

Stunnd · 05-09-2004, 08:41 AM

Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try.

blackbenzz · 05-10-2004, 08:21 AM

I had the same problem with my 260E and replaced the same parts you did and it ended up being O2 sensor.

Stunnd · 05-24-2004, 09:30 PM

Were you simultaneously having an issue with the idle surging sometimes and then stalling at other times? I'm hoping the oxygen sensor fixes both of these issues that I'm having. I expect to have it replaced this week.

Stunnd · 05-25-2004, 10:48 AM

One mechanic is telling me that unless the Check Engine light is on, then it can't be the o2 sensor. It's about a US$300 job to install the sensor, so I'm just going to have it replaced and see what happens. Was your Check Engine light on while you were having the same problem?

blackbenzz · 05-25-2004, 02:02 PM

My check engine light was not on (bulb may be bad, i dunno?) and I had a slight stalling problem but the car would never shut off, it would just studder. Now my little bro hit a speed bump going too fast and broke the exhaust in half

Now I gotta fix that

Stunnd · 05-26-2004, 11:21 PM

Had it at the dealership today and it turns out that it's not the 02 sensor but the stinkin' ECU. Looks like it's time to cash in another mutual fund!

spsinha · 06-08-2004, 10:25 PM

Check Ebay, I always see used ECU's for sale on there.

05-10-2004, 08:21 AM	#4
blackbenzz MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 7,822 Drives: 01 Kleemann CLK55, 99 CLK430	I had the same problem with my 260E and replaced the same parts you did and it ended up being O2 sensor. __________________ Run Your Car Not Your Mouth This is how we roll

05-25-2004, 02:02 PM	#7
blackbenzz MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 7,822 Drives: 01 Kleemann CLK55, 99 CLK430	My check engine light was not on (bulb may be bad, i dunno?) and I had a slight stalling problem but the car would never shut off, it would just studder. Now my little bro hit a speed bump going too fast and broke the exhaust in half Now I gotta fix that __________________ Run Your Car Not Your Mouth This is how we roll

06-08-2004, 10:25 PM	#9
spsinha Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Orland Park, IL Posts: 53 Drives: 2000 E430 4Matic	Check Ebay, I always see used ECU's for sale on there. __________________ "Picture Me Rollin' In My 300 Benz"

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05-09-2004, 03:31 AM	#2
Edgar Newbie Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1	could possibly be due to a fault in the oxygen/ lambda sensor that's causing the surge when idle. Had the same problem, which was rectified when the sensor was replaced!

05-09-2004, 08:41 AM	#3
Stunnd Newbie Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 9 Drives: 1989 260E	Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try.

05-24-2004, 09:30 PM	#5
Stunnd Newbie Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 9 Drives: 1989 260E	Were you simultaneously having an issue with the idle surging sometimes and then stalling at other times? I'm hoping the oxygen sensor fixes both of these issues that I'm having. I expect to have it replaced this week.

05-25-2004, 10:48 AM	#6
Stunnd Newbie Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 9 Drives: 1989 260E	One mechanic is telling me that unless the Check Engine light is on, then it can't be the o2 sensor. It's about a US$300 job to install the sensor, so I'm just going to have it replaced and see what happens. Was your Check Engine light on while you were having the same problem?

05-26-2004, 11:21 PM	#8
Stunnd Newbie Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 9 Drives: 1989 260E	Had it at the dealership today and it turns out that it's not the 02 sensor but the stinkin' ECU. Looks like it's time to cash in another mutual fund!

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