amok55amg

Going home from work I lost my propeller shaft on my E320 4Matic from 1999 while going 80 mph on the highway – It is the propeller shaft from the transfer case to the front wheel. There were a big bang and a lot banging noise in the bottom of the floor … the car lost all power and I had to pull in the emergency track. 180 miles from home - heavy snowing with a hard wind didn’t make it easy – I did go back down the highway and found the propeller shaft …….. I had some friend to come and pick me up four hours later ……. guess I was lucky this shaft didn’t hit anybody.

Now – when I put the car in “D” nothing happens …… neither in any other gear …. Does the car shut down everything when it loose traction on the front wheels … or can I assume it’s my transfer case that’s gone …. or even the transmission itself? anybody have any knowledge about this I will be most obliged if you will “tune inn” – guess it’s too optimistic to think a new propeller shaft will solve the problem

Fabio D

Damn! thats not common :S

I think a new shaft solve the problem, check the rear shaft rubber flex's too got the car inspected. when you remove the front shaft the car got like Neutral position cause the central diferential moves all the traction to the front (mínimal effort) and do not move the car. The ML's are the same

Fabio Daniel

amok55amg

yes – you were right – thanks for the input

To find out if the transmission was damage I decided to remake the old shaft – just to see if the car will move – I found some old water pipes and after a couple of hours I had something I could use … and lord be hold … the car moved whiteout any problems …… so a new shaft will fix the problem … will change some other parts when I’m under it anyway

I had a hard time finding a shaft (of curse MB has one but that was in about €900 – that’s $1000 ) but eventually USA was my savor )) Dorman has a replacement for $320 …. has to come from California … couldn't be more fare away ……..

Critter

Good job, the rebuilt shaft will probably be just as smooth as the OEM was just before destruction. There must have been symptoms something was not right/ good fab job

amok55amg

now I need some advice … when I bought this car the left back door window didn’t work – turned out the motor/assembly with wires was a total …. bought a “new” at the scrapyard – tested it on the right door … working fine …. also my diagnostic said the control module was gone … so found a “new” one on eBay ….. put it all in but it still does not work …. all others windows are working fine ….. I am thinking maybe the cables have a breach ?

anyone have any experience with this?

Critter

Long shot but does your car have a child safety feature whereas you can disable the functions of the rear doors from the drivers side console?
Not sure if the doors are fused independently!

amok55amg

I have the child feature but did check that when testing ….. also the fuses …. 98% sure they are fused in pair (front and back) … but will double check it …. also did change the center contact – it’s a full set …. all switches in one assembly … still no movements …. will do a another diagnostic and see if any things have change

Critter

Lots of door issues occur from the drivers door wiring where the wires go through the rubber corrugated sleeve, the opening and closing of the door will sometimes break a wire in the loom. Check for power in the rear door wiring colours at the front door hinge area.
Even the rear door hinge area, check for wiring damage, possibly from damage from a previous accident repair??
Good Luck

amok55amg

finally got it ) you were totally correct – the cables were cut in the door hinges ….. easy fix when you find the culprit! Thanks for the advice.