NHTSA Campaign 94V004000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

Issued by MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC. · Reported Jan 6, 1994 · 5,900 vehicles affected

What's wrong

HIGH AMBIENT ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURES ARE EXPERIENCED AFTER THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED AND THEN PARKED. IF THE VEHICLE IS RESTARTED A SHORT TIME LATER AND THE CHARCOAL CANISTER IS SATURATED WITH FUEL, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT FUEL VAPOR MAY BE EXPELLED THROUGH THE INLET VENT LINE OF THE CANISTER ONTO THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY RADIATOR FAN PRERESISTOR.

Consequence

UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY RADIATOR FAN PRERESISTOR BECOMES HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE FUEL EXPELLED FROM THE CHARCOAL CANNISTER AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE FUEL VAPOR CANISTER VENT LINE AWAY FROM THE ELECTRIC FAN PRERESISTOR. IN ADDITION, THE PRERESISTOR WILL HAVE A LARGER HEAT SHIELD AND A FUSED WIRING HARNESS WILL BE INSTALLED.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
MERCEDES-BENZ 400E 1992 5,900
MERCEDES-BENZ 400E 1993 5,900

Source: NHTSA Campaign 94V004000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.