Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
1988 Mercedes Benz 560SLFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Airflow Sensor Plate
- Remove fuel pump relay. Bridge relay connector terminals No. 7 and 8 to build up fuel pressure. Center airflow sensor plate using feeler gauges of .002" (.05 mm) thickness between edge of sensor plate and housing. Airflow sensor plate should not bind even with slight lateral pressure eliminating any bearing play.
- Tighten screw holding plate to lever. Push sensor plate down manually to check for smooth operation. Plate should not bind in housing bore. Release plate and allow it to return to rest position. Plate should not bind and should audibly knock against resilient stop. Check and recenter plate, if necessary.
- Check rest position of sensor plate. Upper edge of plate should be flush with upper edge of cylindrical portion of housing. Upper edge of plate may be higher than edge in housing by maximum of .008" (.2 mm). See Fig 1 .
- Free play of .04-.08" (1-2 mm) should exist between rest position and point at which adjusting lever touches control piston. Gently drive guide pin down into housing if plate is high. If plate is low, remove mixture control unit. Gently drive guide pin out from below.
NOTE:
Avoid repeated adjustments of press fitted guide pin as pin will become loose in housing.
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
