Sticky throttle
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Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 164
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From: San Carlos (SF Peninsula) CA
'03 ML500, '07 E350 Sport (wife's)
Sticky throttle
Just bought my ML and am noticing it is difficult to drive smoothly because the throttle pedal seems to stick. To be more descript, it tends to step rather than move infinitely. My old CD used to do that, but the power was such that it was not an issue. It's not a particularly high tension, just doesn't depress smoothly. Any thoughts? Thanks to everybody for their great input on this forum. Helps tremendously. Will post pics as soon as I get it cleaned up after the rain.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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...
I know what you mean but I don't know if it's normal or not. I have it on my 05 bought new. It's pretty annoying. Also do you have a lot of side ways play in the gas pedal, it's almost as if it's not tightly attached.
Last edited by kevine310; Dec 31, 2006 at 04:59 PM. Reason: typo
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: UK
2002 ML270
I was amazed at the poor design of that pin.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 864
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ML
I have a 05 500 also and it's got that same problem. The dealer has cleaned/lubed the cables and links at the end of the cables three times and that hasn't resolved the problem. My understanding is that the issue is with the electronic control unit. The cable acts basically as a sensor and beyond the end of the cable you see under the hood, an electronic system takes over. The only reason they haven't replaced the unit in my case is becasue the techs can't seem to duplicate my problem. I have asked them to live with it for a day, but they cringe due to legal issues. If you get luckier, let me know.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Had the same problem with the 02 ML500 I had. Dealer replaced the cable and that did not do it. He then replaced the cable again along with the entire box on the firewall and that cured it permanently. From what I understand this is a common known problem with 02 and later W163's. In some vehicles its just the cable and in others its just the firewall box and in some, both items. Lubing will not do anything nor will screwing around with the pedal assembly.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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ML
Had the same problem with the 02 ML500 I had. Dealer replaced the cable and that did not do it. He then replaced the cable again along with the entire box on the firewall and that cured it permanently. From what I understand this is a common known problem with 02 and later W163's. In some vehicles its just the cable and in others its just the firewall box and in some, both items. Lubing will not do anything nor will screwing around with the pedal assembly.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Hi sosh, happy new year and I hope you had a good x-mas. I'm going in tomorrow for what looks like a climate control issue and I'll ask them to look again at the throttle cable. I could never understand how come the techs could not feel what I was feeling. Thanks for the tip. Is the firewall box the drive-by-wire control unit?
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: On an island in Washington State
1999 Mercedes Benz SL500 & 2009 E350 4Matic Wagon
Sticky Throttle Problem
Some of you have noted that the dealer was unable to detect this problem as mine also was unable. After he lubed, changed and whatever else he claimed to have done the problem did not go away on our 2001 ML320. By trial I found if you lube the cable from the inside as it goes through the firewall the problem goes away for a period of time -- not a fix, but it does give some period of relief! The only way we were able to get rid of the total problem was to sell the ML -- not just for that reason though, but many, many (too many)other problems!
