Early vs Late Model ETAs

[Stevester 500E]

Is the connector style the only difference between the early and late model ETAs?

I found an ETA on a 1994 S500 with ASR, the part number is 0001417325; that part number is for the early pancake style connector ETA's.

However, this ETA has a late style (straight barrel) connector. The connector and cord appear to have been professionally replaced on this ETA in order for it to connect to work on a 1994-95 M119's.

I wanted to put it up for sale, but I am not sure yet until I sort things out. The ETA has an 1999 date code.

 

[JC220]

Is the connector style the only difference between the early and late model ETAs?

I found an ETA on a 1994 S500 with ASR, the part number is 0001417325; that part number for the early pancake style connector ETA's.

However, this ETA has a late style (straight barrel) connector. The connector and cord appear to have been professionally replaced on this ETA in order for it to connect to work on a 1994-95 M119's.

I wanted to put it up for sale, but I am not sure yet until I sort things out. The ETA has an 1999 date code.

FYI- the early style connector pig tail loom is still available from MB & very inexpensive $20ish? However mine was made to order and thus took about2 months to get here. (Manufacture date on pack was 5 weeks post order)


Pics so you can see.


IF this plan were to work, then it could be relatively simple to solder in the new MB pigtail complete with the plug ready to go.


Infact my original early ETA wiring was not degraded. ETA’s dated in the 2000’s up are more commonly available in the late style connector. I am also very interested to know if these early connectors could work with the newer ETA. I would buy a much newer ETA and solder this new loom to it instead. Note-

Please do not assume that this is possible at all from what I have said here, I am simply pointing out that the early connector is available new from MB still. If I had both items I could check properly but I only have the new loom.

 

[Stevester 500E]

Thanks for the info ! I will probably order a few of the early style connectors before they become NLA.
I will probably swap out the pigtail and keep this ETA unit as a spare.
I won't make any assumptions, but I may swap the pancake style pigtail to a late ETA to see if it will work.
JC220, can you type out the part number of the pigtail, I can't make it out from the pic.
Thanks

 

[JC220]

Thanks for the info ! I will probably order a few of the early style connectors before they become NLA.
I will probably swap out the pigtail and keep this ETA unit as a spare.
I won't make any assumptions, but I may swap the pancake style pigtail to a late ETA to see if it will work.
JC220, can you type out the part number of the pigtail, I can't make it out from the pic.
Thanks

No problem the part number is A1405401581 be sure to report back your findings If it works I'll get a newer ETA for mine.

 

[Stevester 500E]

I have not had a chance to try a pancake style pig tail on a newer part number throttle.
I still haven't heard from any gurus as to the odds of this working, considering the ETA itself is in good working order.

 

[samiam44]

I would seek a later date code ETA for either an early or late car and not mess with re-wiring. I took me a while( I think my spare is 2003). I think 25 years on the plastic gears is a lot. Hopefully there were some improvements in the design through the production runs.
I realize it's $20 vs $300ish. But then you are good for hopefully a good for another 20 years.

M

 

[Stevester 500E]

I think I have the answer to my own question.
The internal parts of the early style ETA and the late style ETA are the same, the only difference is the pigtail connector.

Is the connector style the only difference between the early and late model ETAs?

I found an ETA on a 1994 S500 with ASR, the part number is 0001417325; that part number is for the early pancake style connector ETA's.

However, this ETA has a late style (straight barrel) connector. The connector and cord appear to have been professionally replaced on this ETA in order for it to connect to work on a 1994-95 M119's.

I wanted to put it up for sale, but I am not sure yet until I sort things out. The ETA has an 1999 date code.

 

[JC220]

Stevester was able to also advise me that the later ETA has 11 wires - which matches the early ETA wire count.

I now have bought a later m119 ETA locally which I intend to solder my new MB early pancake pigtail harness to & keep as a spare. I will test in the car by plugging it in & observing the throttle movement. It'll either work.... or it won't. It'll be a week or so until I get the later ETA & I'll post details of the pigtail swap on here when done. I have also found some suberb links on the interwebs regarding m119 ETA re-wiring.

At least if we know they are interchangeable for sure; it would give more choice when looking for a spare ETA.

 

[Stevester 500E]

I am on the same page.
Obviously, it's still preferable to find the newest manf. date ETA in great working condition and with the respective plug style of ones car.

Cheers,

Stevester was able to also advise me that the later ETA has 11 wires - which matches the early ETA wire count.

I now have bought a later m119 ETA locally which I intend to solder my new MB early pancake pigtail harness to & keep as a spare. I will test in the car by plugging it in & observing the throttle movement. It'll either work.... or it won't. It'll be a week or so until I get the later ETA & I'll post details of the pigtail swap on here when done. I have also found some suberb links on the interwebs regarding m119 ETA re-wiring.

At least if we know they are interchangeable for sure; it would give more choice when looking for a spare ETA.

 

[Stevester 500E]

I am guessing that MB figure that it was more cost effecting to make the late barrel plug style. It's possible they were getting failures with the early pancake style connector, but it usually takes a some time before the plastic dries up and doesn't rotate smoothly, and for other parts of the connector to break or fail.

Stevester was able to also advise me that the later ETA has 11 wires - which matches the early ETA wire count.

I now have bought a later m119 ETA locally which I intend to solder my new MB early pancake pigtail harness to & keep as a spare. I will test in the car by plugging it in & observing the throttle movement. It'll either work.... or it won't. It'll be a week or so until I get the later ETA & I'll post details of the pigtail swap on here when done. I have also found some suberb links on the interwebs regarding m119 ETA re-wiring.

At least if we know they are interchangeable for sure; it would give more choice when looking for a spare ETA.

 

[JC220]

So I did get the new MB Pigtail soldered into my spare / later type M119 ETA. I have soldered on the Pancake / early ETA Pigtail to a later plug ETA and tested it in the car. All good! This is now a spare to keep with my 500E.

I’m not entirely sure if it would be worthwhile to create a DIY on this..... very few people will be interested or willing to solder in pigtails to ETA’s. I will think about that and in the meantime post the pictures of this morning:







Tested in the car: [video=youtube;QJUa77f1JiQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJUa77f1JiQ[/video]

Note that in my video the last third of the pedalway is not recognized, nor is the full-throttle position - apparently this is due to no RPM signal with standing engines.

 

[gerryvz]

It's interesting and good to know that is possible. No reason why it wouldn't have been, but good to confirm. I still say there's nothing like having a couple of good spares on hand, though ;-)

 

[nocfn]

If nothing else, open up the spare and clean the grease off the gears and replenish.

 

[Jlaa]

Thanks for looking into this! This will be super helpful for years to come.