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I finally got a little time to work on the Mercedes today. I installed the new fuel filter and fresh gas. After purging old gas and air in the fuel line through the Shrader valve I turned the key and it fired right up. I drove around a few minutes and got a check engine light. Scanner showed a code P1444. Mercedes guys say it is common and usually caused by a bad vacuum line going to the purge valve, or it could be a bad purge valve. I cleared the code and so far it's not came back. I've not driven it much on dry rotted tires. I've decided my speed limit is 45 mph until I get some different tires. I hate the black paint. Every time I tough it the damn thing it makes it look dirty. 🙂 Below is a photo of how I think a Mercedes is supposed to look in a garage. Only thing missing is a mechanic (me) laying under it. Kind of reminds me of a Reatta. lol

RockAuto.com has no brick and mortar stores. Only warehouses and computer geeks that run the operation. Since that cuts down on overhead and labor they can price their parts much cheaper. Watch out for the shipping cost. It can add up. And if you want to talk to a human you can forget it. Amazon has an off-brand blower module for about $95 with free shipping. I've never used that brand but I wouldn't be afraid to try it. You can chat online or request a callback if you want to talk to a human when something goes wrong. Amazon.com: Boeeda 15-72530 Heating and Air Conditioning Blower Control Module Compatible with Buick Cadillac Chevrolet Corvette Heater Blower Motor Control Module 12484912 : Automotive

So responding to the idle problem it was caused by me my fat foot when I went to push the brakes I also just touched the gas pedal once realized the idle problem stopped. Car overall is Great a/c now works electronics seem happy just have the weird display problem.

Took the Red into the shop for a Rack and Pinion replacement. Worked for about a half hour before it locked up. At first they thought it was the power steering pump so I ran home to get one from my back stock. But before I got back they ran more testing and then determined the rack was no good. They tried a couple of parts houses and the earliest to get one is two days out [Wednesday]and then the install means Thursday before I get it back. Now that I let the Black go, now the car juggling starts between my wife's schedule and mine. I'm thinking this will be the next issue for us so I'm going shopping for another for inventory. BTW I bought an accumulator ball from Rock Auto on closeout. Checked with 2seater to make sure I got the correct cross reference one, but I paid less then $110.00. Saved about $130.00 on Amazon.

I now carry in my car the following; crank sensor, MAF sensor, Delco coil pack, alternator, serpentine belt, both the correct length and the bypass belt. Extra fuses and relays. In the parts bin I have almost too much stuff. More of the aforementioned trunk stock, EGR valve, brake pads, rotors, front/rear wheel bearings, wheel speed sensor, rack and pinion, struts/ strut mounts both front and rear, tie rods, ball joints, power steering pumps, Teves pump/motor, pressure switches, accumulator ball, freon, all the silver boxes, CRT, IPC, radio, temperature control module, blower control module, oil/air filters, spark plugs/wires, headlights/headlight motors, bulbs, all tested and ready to go. I'm sure there are more things I have but I don't like being down long as I like to think I can drive my car every day. Another item I am considering stocking is the drive shafts as I'm sure that will be another item to be discontinued. If I did stock those that would really ease my mind about parts being discontinued.

Just bought a Rack and Pinion. I looked at Rock Auto not so much for the price but how many brands. They are down to two of them. Also today while we checked around to see if we could get another one next day instead of 2 day from NAPA, both O'reillys and Federated showed out and no longer available. Not to be a "gloom and doomer" but I think stocking parts is the way to go.