M-Class (W163) Produced 1998-2005: ML 230, ML 320, ML 350, ML 400 CDI, ML 430, ML 500, ML 270 CDI

Won't Start

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Old Aug 24, 2003 | 03:28 PM
  #1  
j2nh's Avatar
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GL63 AMG
Won't Start

00 ML 430 sat overnight in my driveway. Click, click won't even turn over. Nothing left on and doors closed. Checked all the vanity lights everything off. Dash lights up, seems to have enough juice, but won't turn over. Charger (tried 2 different ones) says battery is good and charged. No corrosion, no indication of any problems prior to this morning. Anybody got any ideas?
TIA
Jim
This thing is hell bent on giving me a nervous breakdown.
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Old Aug 25, 2003 | 08:46 AM
  #2  
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GL63 AMG
Silly Me

I should have guessed it right away. Battery. 50,000 miles. Not bad for a vehicle that was only designed to go 12,000.
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Old Aug 25, 2003 | 10:40 AM
  #3  
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From: San Diego
ML430, Mini Cooper S and Porsche 911 Twin Turbo
Battery at 50,000 miles ?

You're lucky. Mine went at about 24,000 miles (approx 2 years old), leaving my wife stranded at night in the city (not a good place to be after dark).

No warning of it failing just suddenly open circuit / high impedance.

The service truck which eventually arrived about 3 hours later had it's cargo area practically filled with new / failed batteries. Seems the guy was changing quite a few of them.

Noticed the original battery was US made whereas the replacement was made in Germany.

Just another example of cost cutting on the ML to save a few bucks in the short term !
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Old Aug 25, 2003 | 11:27 AM
  #4  
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From: Denver, Capitan NM
08 E320 Bluetec
Down here in the desert batteries don't last very long. It's the heat. I'll get a diehard next summer. The dealer should replace them when they fail but there is no sense in getting stranded.
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Old Aug 26, 2003 | 03:32 PM
  #5  
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GL63 AMG
It never ends

Replaced battery. Vehicle starts, dies. Tried several times and then settled down to a rough idle. Assumed it was the computer reprograming itself. When to drive out of the driveway and it will not accelerate above 1500 rpm. Shifted into 2 or 3 so again I assumed it was reseting itself. Turned onto highway and surged twice, downshifted into 1st (limp home mode) and now sits in my drive waiting to be flatbedded for the third time in the last 14 months. My fault this time for not unloading this piece of crap this spring. Summer is my busiest time and I let it slide. NEVER EVER EVER will I recommend, purchase or maybe even ride in one of these overpriced boat anchors again.
Jim
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Old Aug 26, 2003 | 03:44 PM
  #6  
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From: Los Angeles
1989 300CE
I think that your ML has some serious electrical issues. I once left the lights on my 99 ML and of course, the battery drained. Jump started the thing and drove perfecty after that. No computer resetting, no hesitation, just seemed normal like before. By the way, my battery is still the original one, and Im going on 65,000 mile on this. I figure Ill drive it until the battery dies as I have a portable jumpstarter in my car anyway.
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Old Aug 26, 2003 | 05:54 PM
  #7  
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From: San Diego
ML430, Mini Cooper S and Porsche 911 Twin Turbo
Hey 89CE, if your battery fails.....

and you use your jump starter to get moving again there's a good chance that because your battery would still be defective (likely open circuit) that the alternator could apply raw dc to the vehicles electrics and cause damage.
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Old Aug 28, 2003 | 05:51 PM
  #8  
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GL63 AMG
Done

Out of warranty however dealer waived towing charge.
Mass air flow sensor bad.
Cost 520.88
replace defective drivers window switch $200
Battery $120
So, the battery goes bad, replaced the battery and suddenly the air flow sensor is shot. Makes sense to me.
This sad saga is going to end soon.
Jim
00 ML 430
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