Ignition Module questions

[outrbnks]

Looking for some expert advice on the Ign. modules in my 92 500E.

Here is a small matrix I put together, cross referencing EPC to what is in the car at this time.

[TABLE="width: 621"][TR][TD]500E
[/TD][TD]Ignition Modules
[/TD][TD="colspan: 2"]WDBEA36E1NB0616
[/TD][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Name
[/TD][TD]EPC
[/TD][TD]In Car
[/TD][TD]Available?
[/TD][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Basic Module
[/TD][TD]A011 545 97 32
[/TD][TD]011 545 97 32
[/TD][TD="colspan: 2"]Mercedes Parts Center $ 583.98
[/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD]LH Control Unit
[/TD][TD]A014 545 18 32
[/TD][TD]014 545 17 32
[/TD][TD="colspan: 2"]Mercedes Parts Center $ 2422.88
[/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD]ASR Control Unit
[/TD][TD]A013 545 39 32
[/TD][TD]011 545 49 32
[/TD][TD="colspan: 2"]Mercedes Parts Center $ 458.48
[/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD]E-Gas Control
[/TD][TD]A124 545 07 32
[/TD][TD]124 545 07 32
[/TD][TD="colspan: 2"]Mercedes Parts Center $ 1217.65
[/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][TD][/TD][/TR][/TABLE]I'm the 5th owner according to Autocheck, and the maint history on this cars is missing, so I have no idea what, when or why things were changed out in the past.

Bothersome is that 2 of the modules in the car don't match EPC, but maybe the ones I have do the same thing and should work fine. Basic and E-Gas match EPC, ASR and LH Do not match EPC.

I'd like some opinions from those who understand these modules. Just an observation which may not mean anything, but the labels on the Basic and E-Gas appear much older than the labels on the LH and ASR. Since the PN's of the ASR and LH modules don't match EPC, I see a little red flag waving at me.

I also looked up pricing on these four modules,(EPC P/N's), OUCH, I can see why a "parts 500E" is still worth a bunch.

Where do the experts in the know go, when these modules are needed? Anyone rebuild these pieces of gold?

Thanks...O

 

[gsxr]

Your modules are all correct - you have nothing to worry about. The problem is that the latest EPC versions have removed some older supercession information, which causes confusion.

The LH module you have (#17) is the correct module used in late-build 1992 USA model year cars. It is NLA and was superceded to the #18 module you mentioned. The #18 module was originally used in the 1992 500SE/SEL (W140). There is some tiny difference in programming between the two, I don't know what it is, but they are functionally equivalent. See attached EPC screen shot.

The ASR module you have is the same deal... you have an original / older one, which is NLA, and the number shown in the EPC is what you'd buy today to replace it. My EPC doesn't show the old number, but my early 500E's have the same number module in the CAN box as your car does.

Anyway - the Diagnostic Module (DM), Basic/General Module (BM/GM) and ASR module are shared with the 400E/E420 and those cars are good donors for spares. They are relatively rare failures so they tend to be cheap, due to lack of demand. The LH must come from another 5.0L car, preferably the same year range since '92 modules have WOT enrichment (like the one you have) and 93-up do not. I sell '92 modules if you are looking for one (click here).

The E500E E-GAS module is a unicorn... it was .036-specific AND region-specific (USA different than Europe, etc) and those are nearly impossible to find used. Thankfully, they are rare failures. Beckmann may be able to repair/rebuild if it's ever necessary, but I'd only go that route if new ones are either NLA or priced significantly higher than Beckmann.

Not mentioned was the ignition module (EZL) which is located on the driver side fender. These are the more common module to fail, and they are not rebuildable or repairable. There is still a decent supply of them on the used market. New ones are $4640 list price. I keep a spare EZL in the trunk if going on a road trip out of state, you can swap it out on the side of the road if by some freak chance yours fails. They pop up relatively cheap on eBay but some sellers don't test them and/or have no warranty. I have a few different 5.0 modules available (click here).

Hope this helps!

 

[outrbnks]

Thanks Dave, really appreciated.... sent you an email... O