Help, Power Seating (1999 ML320)
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Joined: Apr 2003
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Help, Power Seating (1999 ML320)
This car's been nothing but problems for me. Must be a Lemon cause it's always getting serviced.
After just having the driveshaft bearings replaced (they collapsed!!!!!!!!), I get the car back. Drive around for a bit, and to my horror, the drivers seat doesn't tilt back anymore.
Now, it'll tilt forward, but not back. The power just doesn't work for tilting back.
Human nature when something bi-directional doesn't work, is to try clicking the other way to "unjam" it, and then try going back. I lent the vehicle to my dad, and he did just that. BUT, he clicked forward WAY too far. The headrest is literally inches from the steering wheel. It's undrivable for a guy my size (6'6").
I don't know what to do. Since warranty's expired, I tried fixing it myself. I removed the plastic casing around the bottom of the seat, opened up the little electrical box opposite of the buttons on the plastic casing, and there was a circuit board. That's when I knew not to touch anything, and I replaced all the screws I took out and put everything back.
I called roadside assistance and they're asking for $100 just too look at it. $120 per hour afterwards (canadian funds).
So I said I'd wait. And here I am, checking to see if you guys know any other options. Anyone ever tamper with power seating before? Can you give me a few pointers? This really blows cause I've got a hot date tonight
What do I do? SOMEBODY HELP ME PLEASE!!
Karim
After just having the driveshaft bearings replaced (they collapsed!!!!!!!!), I get the car back. Drive around for a bit, and to my horror, the drivers seat doesn't tilt back anymore.
Now, it'll tilt forward, but not back. The power just doesn't work for tilting back.
Human nature when something bi-directional doesn't work, is to try clicking the other way to "unjam" it, and then try going back. I lent the vehicle to my dad, and he did just that. BUT, he clicked forward WAY too far. The headrest is literally inches from the steering wheel. It's undrivable for a guy my size (6'6").
I don't know what to do. Since warranty's expired, I tried fixing it myself. I removed the plastic casing around the bottom of the seat, opened up the little electrical box opposite of the buttons on the plastic casing, and there was a circuit board. That's when I knew not to touch anything, and I replaced all the screws I took out and put everything back.
I called roadside assistance and they're asking for $100 just too look at it. $120 per hour afterwards (canadian funds).
So I said I'd wait. And here I am, checking to see if you guys know any other options. Anyone ever tamper with power seating before? Can you give me a few pointers? This really blows cause I've got a hot date tonight
What do I do? SOMEBODY HELP ME PLEASE!!
Karim
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 268
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From: San Diego
ML430, Mini Cooper S and Porsche 911 Twin Turbo
Welcome to the ML experience.....
better get used to it or learn to DIY on some of the more trivial problems you're likely to encounter with this fine quality vehicle.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 40
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From: Md.
2005 ML500 SE, 2005 X5
My driver's heating element went bad on my 99 while it was still in warranty. Dealer said no big deal, just had to remove the seat from the truck, and pull off the leather cover to replace the element. Dealer ended up keeping it for 2 weeks. Turns out that the "craftsmen" in Tuscaloosa had cross threaded one of the seat retaining bolts during assembly. Dealer had to take out the transmission, cut a square out of the floor pan to get the seat out. Gotta love MB's attention to detail & high level of build quality!
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 1
From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
Originally posted by greenm
My driver's heating element went bad on my 99 while it was still in warranty. Dealer said no big deal, just had to remove the seat from the truck, and pull off the leather cover to replace the element. Dealer ended up keeping it for 2 weeks. Turns out that the "craftsmen" in Tuscaloosa had cross threaded one of the seat retaining bolts during assembly. Dealer had to take out the transmission, cut a square out of the floor pan to get the seat out. Gotta love MB's attention to detail & high level of build quality!
My driver's heating element went bad on my 99 while it was still in warranty. Dealer said no big deal, just had to remove the seat from the truck, and pull off the leather cover to replace the element. Dealer ended up keeping it for 2 weeks. Turns out that the "craftsmen" in Tuscaloosa had cross threaded one of the seat retaining bolts during assembly. Dealer had to take out the transmission, cut a square out of the floor pan to get the seat out. Gotta love MB's attention to detail & high level of build quality!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 1
From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
Re: Help, Power Seating (1999 ML320)
Originally posted by Karim4x4
Anyone ever tamper with power seating before? Can you give me a few pointers? This really blows cause I've got a hot date tonight
Anyone ever tamper with power seating before? Can you give me a few pointers? This really blows cause I've got a hot date tonight
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 40
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From: Md.
2005 ML500 SE, 2005 X5
Originally posted by mbtech208
Apparently the same kind of craftsmen that built the ML also work in the dealerships in Alabama. Instead of dropping the tranny and hacking up the floor, why didn't they just drill the cross-threaded bolts out and re-tap the holes?
Apparently the same kind of craftsmen that built the ML also work in the dealerships in Alabama. Instead of dropping the tranny and hacking up the floor, why didn't they just drill the cross-threaded bolts out and re-tap the holes?
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2003
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Re: Re: Help, Power Seating (1999 ML320)
Originally posted by mbtech208
Well, looks like you won't be taking the ML on your hot date! It sounds like the tilt motor went bad. Can you hear the motor clicking when you try to tilt the seat back? Not the clicking of the switch, mind you, but the actual motor under the seat.
Well, looks like you won't be taking the ML on your hot date! It sounds like the tilt motor went bad. Can you hear the motor clicking when you try to tilt the seat back? Not the clicking of the switch, mind you, but the actual motor under the seat.
It stopped working along time ago, then one day, it worked. I figured the wire musta fell back into contact with the switch or something. So I let it be. Then it broke again.
Too many repairs. Yes it's a sweet looking vehicle, that does garner quite a bit of attention to this day. But it really is a pain in the butt to keep functional.
Oh yeah, and the check engine light just came on the other day.
Karim
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 41
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From: Atlanta, GA
CLK 320, 2000, Silver/Blk
Originally posted by mbtech208
Apparently the same kind of craftsmen that built the ML also work in the dealerships in Alabama. Instead of dropping the tranny and hacking up the floor, why didn't they just drill the cross-threaded bolts out and re-tap the holes?
Apparently the same kind of craftsmen that built the ML also work in the dealerships in Alabama. Instead of dropping the tranny and hacking up the floor, why didn't they just drill the cross-threaded bolts out and re-tap the holes?
No fun unless you do things BACK-***-WARDS....lol
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1
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From: Washington, DC
1999 ML320
My ML's driver side seat has problems with one of the power seat functions (front vertical movement). I can hear the motor clicking; however, there is no movement. All other directions work. Any ideas on what could be the cause would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
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