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2.3 16v variable trimming resistor
Topic Started: Wed Jul 26, 2006 1:59 pm (2,443 Views)
crazyhayes
Newbie
[ * ]
hi i am getting my cossie ready for the mot and doing a bit of tunning, there is a variable trimming resistor near the battery i think that its for ignition retard its numbered 1 to 8 i think does any one know what each of the settings do to the ignition and how it effects the cars performance

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pentoman
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Resident OVP Expert
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Not sure what that one does.

However, nearer the front of the engine bay on the passenger side (UK car) there may be another one labelled with N and S as well as numbers inbetween. This is for Normal (95 ron) fuel and Super Unleaded (98 ron or so).

It changes the ignition retard.
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crazyhayes
Newbie
[ * ]
hi yes it is the same sort of thing i had one like that on my old 190e 2.0 but this one just has numbers on it and i dont know which number means which octane
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crazyhayes
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right just found out its called the r16
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dave_irl
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Defector
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Does it have a little wire seal around it?

Most should be sealed from the factory, I wouldnt really go near that thingy unless you really knew exactly what you were doing :unsure:

Not saying you dont, but I dont think its something meant to be adjusted as easily as say the S/N RON setting resistor. :)
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crazyhayes
Newbie
[ * ]
hi no but i think it did have at one point just want to know what the settings do tried looking everywhere but no data found
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dave_irl
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Defector
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No idea unfortunately mate, we had a bit of discussion on it a while back nobody seemed to know. :rolleyes:
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crazyhayes
Newbie
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i think i found somthing
R16
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joreto
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On my 2.5-16v the r16 or EZL switch was on the drivers side fender near the ignition module, I also had to switch which you describe be from memory (read something sometime ago) the controls the idle revs. I'll check in the manual tomorow and post the info.
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crazyhayes
Newbie
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cheers i have another question to ask the last engine i had the conrod bolts snapped and took out my bottom end is this a common problem or was i just unlucky
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hal9000
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I've been meaning to go looking for the R-16 in my car for quite a while now. I just poked my head under the hood and went looking...found a quarter sized knob marked EZL with the numbers 1-8 on it over by the battery, but nothing with the N and S markings.

First, I'm still a little unclear, is the EZL the same thing as the R16? If not, what exactly does the EZL do?

Second, if they are two different things, can somebody post a decent pic of the R16 so I know what to look for?

Thanks
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joreto
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I'm pretty sure the one near the battery isn't the EZL (R16), I'll post more info later today (have to look up da manual)
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pentoman
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If I remember correctly (I was around on the forums when people seemed to start discussing this 'R16' business) I will say what I remember:

Some models of Mercedes have the dial for setting whether you are using normal or super-unleaded (high octane) fuel, thus changing the ignition timing to take advantage of the high octane fuel. The dial has settings from 1-7 or 8, with some numbers marked 'S' and 'N' for super/normal fuel.

Some Mercedes do not. All this dial does is change a resistance which in turn changes the ignition timing.

American owners found that their cars did not have this dial. What they did have however, was a resistor in place of it. The resistor was of a value that was equivalent to fixing the dial in 'N' (or lower) because I believe some areas of America have low octane fuel and this would prevent engine damage. UK and UK octane ratings are not comparable by the way. They found that replacing the resistor with a different value was equivalent to turning the dial.

So if they were using super unleaded and didn't have the dial to turn to 'S' to take advantage of the slight extra power available, they could instead do it manually, replacing or removing the resistor.


I may be wrong but that's how I've always understood it. The S/N dial is usually found on the inside of the front wing, it's pretty obvious. The one near the battery, I have no idea what that is but would be interested to find out. Maybe I'll play with mine next time I'm hooked up to my dad's engine diagnostic device.
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Matt
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dave_irl
Jul 26 2006, 05:55 PM
Does it have a little wire seal around it?

Most should be sealed from the factory

Be rare to find one of those still intact. :lol:
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cossie connoisseur
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there can be only one ;-)
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Mine is on both cars :ph43r: :D
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dave_irl
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Defector
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Mine too. :)

My S/N switch is marked EZL, and is on the inside wing near the ECU, I have the other dial behind a panel near the battery, which is numbered and has the little wire seal around it. Would also love to know what it is for.

Incidentally, we only have 95 RON over here, but I still have the switch on S, it was just really dull and sluggish on N, and the car has always been set to S, so I left it as is. <_<
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Conrad
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Therapy Needed
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EZL is your ignition type.
My carb 2.0 has the other type - TSZ.
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GEZIJ
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I got quite excited when i found this topic. :o
but now after reading these posts im even more confused about this friggin EZL dial :wacko:
What im trying to establish is whether mine is set at the right position.
its numbered 1 to 7, has EZL marked in the centre of the dial, but has no N or S marked positions.
does anyone else have one like this? :help:
at the mo its set on number 5.
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cossie connoisseur
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there can be only one ;-)
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You have 2 knobs one on the ignition contol module. This one effects your ignition and has the N and S on it. Always keep it on S ;)

The other is behind the battery cover. this one goes from 1 to 8 and will have a seal on it. It is set up during production and has a seal on it for a reason! do not touch or play with it unless you have all the tools and knolege to play with it :)

Just thought i would clear that one up.

* Sorry this is for a 2.5-16v*
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Matt
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Administrator - Hawk Eye

Nope.

The 2.3-16v only has one. the one behind the battery. Which is numbered 1-7.
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Cosmo2.5-16
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Part of things
[ *  * ]


TSZ = Transistorized ignition system without preresistors with hybrid switching unit

EZL = Electronic ignition system with variable characteristics


I'll go into more detail later

:)
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GEZIJ
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Part of things
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LOL
Now my head is really spinning!
Makes sense what MATT says, as i can only find the one knob thats behind the battery and it doesnt have a seal on it, so im guessing it has been altered at some point , ive never touched it, just wondered what it should be set on?
whats yours set at Matt?
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Cosmo2.5-16
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Part of things
[ *  * ]
TSZ = Transistorized ignition system without preresistors with hybrid switching unit

On this system you can adjust the ignition timing at the distributor


EZL = Electronic ignition system with variable characteristics

On this system the ignition timing can not be adjusted at the distributor, the firing point is determined by the switching unit. (This is the unit that's bolted to left front valence) You can adjust the firing point for available fuel at the EZL plug.
The switching unit that's bolted to the left front valence is basically a control unit it has a micro computer. The ignition values are stored in the micro computer, there are a few input signals that feed the switching unit to determine the firing point.
Your EZL plug setting is one signal, TD position, Coolant Temp and throttle switch are others.
Allowance is then made for all the imput signals to select from the ignition characteristics stored in the micro computer, to set the firing which is optimal for this operating state.


Ok back to your EZL plug

This is for a 2.3-16 right

Your plug is numbered 1-7, each number on the plug will retard the timing by 2 degrees. The setting for the plug should be at with no complaints of fuel quality is 1. At point 1 your ignition timing will be 18-20 degrees before TDC
Your saying your plug is at 5 that will have your ignition timing retarded by a further 10 degrees.

Change it to 1 and use a good quality petrol.

Systems that have the EZL plug beside the battery and the R16 plug beside the switching unit. This really just an update of the system. The EZL plug beside the battery is still the same but the R16 takes over at the valence. This plug has the S and N on it, this was to simplify the ignition timing setting for different quality fuels.


:) :)
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hal9000
Part of things
[ *  * ]
Thanks for the explanation Cosmo.
I've got a 2.3-16, but I'm a glutton for information. So If you don't mind, could you please go into a little more detail regarding the second variable resistor on the 2.5s? What do you mean when you say that it "takes over at valence"? Does each resistor handle a different rpm/load range? Or are the two of them hooked up in series so to speak so that the effects are additive?

Also, I was wondering if there is a proper way to set the distributor position on an EZL vehicle since it doesn't affect timing? When I got my car the dizzy was bolted in all the way at one end of the adjustment range, but there is a nick mark on the flange which looks like an indexing mark to me. I ended up just setting the dizzy like I would have in my old VW's....At TDC the leading edge of the rotor is aligned with the contact on the distributor cap in order to minimize the spark gap between the cap and rotor..... I dunno if this is right or not, but it seems to work.
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GEZIJ
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Part of things
[ *  * ]
Great explaination cosmo, sure has cleared up the EZL mystery for me.
Tried to adjust it today but i just cant get it to turn, didnt want to force it incase i broke something.
Is there anything locking it in position or should it just turn freely?
cheers.
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Cosmo2.5-16
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Quote:
 
Tried to adjust it today but i just cant get it to turn, didnt want to force it incase i broke something.
Is there anything locking it in position or should it just turn freely?



You have to pull it out and then turn it.

:)
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GEZIJ
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Part of things
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:wacko: d'oh :wacko:
will try again tomoro
cheers
:D
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hal9000
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Don't feel too bad. It took me a few days to figure it out as well. :blink:
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Ukmerctechie
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Dir is Kool. WKKP Forever!
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The info cosmo gave is only for the 2.3/16,on all other models with the EZL S/N dial on the inner wing.
The dial next/behind the battery is not for the EZL it is an adjustment dial for the KE.It is used to adjust out SMALL running faults at warmup and cold running.
It is not something to be fiddled with,it is a last resort to use it,when the whole injection system has been checked and fixed to A1 condition due to a running fault.I have posted the seetings in some other thread a while back.But saying this it has a lock wire on it for a reason................The reason being LEAVE IT ALONE :lol:
Found the thread here it is................
http://s14.zetaboards.com/mercedes_190_club/topic/224323/1/
And here is some more info on it
Posted Image
Edited by Ukmerctechie, Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:05 am.
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