2000 ML 320 Auxillary fans dead..

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Nov 15, 2003 | 10:05 PM

mihir_d

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From: Bay area - California

2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350

2000 ML 320 Auxillary fans dead..

I just sent my ML for its routine 10,000 mile service and am told that my auxillary fans (in front of the radiator) are dead...the most possible cause is a short in the wiring harness (and of course a blown fuse)...(I made this blunder of pressure washing my engine a couple of times...that most likely shorted the fan's wiring)

I was told $215 (parts & labor) to fix it...I figured I might as well DIY..

Anyone in the forum has any experience with this? How difficult is it to replace the fan's wiring?

Nov 16, 2003 | 01:42 PM

azinn

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From: In A Van Down By The River

2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!

If your still under warranty they should replace it for free. Its a known problem. There is a new improved, heavy duty like it should have been in the first place, wiring harrness along with the upgraded fuse #44 to 40 amps.

Nov 16, 2003 | 11:12 PM

mihir_d

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From: Bay area - California

2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350

I am out of warranty..

Bad luck....at 68K miles I am past the warranty period...I was told the same exact thing though...wiring harness and fuse no. #44 40 Amp fuse needs to be replaced....(it was not my power washing the motor that did it then...I am a pro at car care...it is hard for me to do something that stupid...short a wiring harness by hitting it with water the wrong way)

I think, I should talk to the dealer again, now that you mention that it is a known problem...will MB oblige? Anyone, any experiences going past warranty and having known problems???

How is the general response from MB in such cases?

I have one past experience about this...my lateral stability sensor (found under the center console between the front seats) had a problem at 28K miles...causing my ESP to malfunction at times...they changed it under warranty at that time..and at exactly twice the mileage (about 56K)...i hit the same snag again...I was past warranty but they did oblige by changing the lateral stability sensor without charge..

Last edited by mihir_d; Nov 17, 2003 at 11:13 AM.

Nov 17, 2003 | 08:08 AM

azinn

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From: In A Van Down By The River

2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!

You might want to try another dealer in your area, if you have one. The difference between some dealers is like night and day. I'm sure they would goodwill this repair at the right dealer. The only catch I can think of is that if your not the original owner, then they might deny the warranty claim.

Nov 17, 2003 | 11:12 AM

mihir_d

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From: Bay area - California

2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350

I am the original owner..

Too sentimental about my car to have bought it used or to sell it off...

I intend to keep it as long as it keeps going...at least 10 years!!! I will call them up...I think, they should oblige...I AM the original owner...I purchased it brand new in 2000

Nov 17, 2003 | 11:50 AM

azinn

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From: In A Van Down By The River

2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!

You also might want to check out your Harmonic Balancer. If you have the #712 035 00 00 part I would recommend you get it replaced along with the wiring harness. Its also a known problem with the 1998 thru early 2000 models, all models not just the MClass. If it goes while your driving, it could cost big $$$$ to fix. Just my 2 cents worth on that.

Nov 17, 2003 | 12:12 PM

mihir_d

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From: Bay area - California

2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350

Thanks for your advice...

I'll call up my dealer in a day or two...and post the outcome...thanks for letting me know about the harmonic balancer...I better get these addressed before they start eating up on my pocket...

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Nov 18, 2003 | 11:54 PM

timdf

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From: San Diego

ML430, Mini Cooper S and Porsche 911 Twin Turbo

Simple fix....

If you can't get it fixed under warranty a simple fix is to uprate the fuse. This is not as bad as it sounds as it's the initial starting current in rush which blows the fuse, not the normal running current.

I had the same problem on my ML430 and ran for a couple of years with a 40amp fuse fitted instead of the 35Amp until I had it fixed 'proper;u' under warranty. The cable loom is able to handle the current - never did understand why MB in their wisdom had to change the harness. Probably a liability thing.

Nov 19, 2003 | 02:42 AM

#10

mihir_d

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From: Bay area - California

2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350

Do you mean to say, the cable is fine?

Is it most likely just the fuse that's blown?

In that case I might be able to live by changing the fuse..

Will talk to my dealer tomorrow - will post the outcome.

Thanks for the advice...that really helped..

Last edited by mihir_d; Nov 19, 2003 at 02:45 AM.

Nov 19, 2003 | 10:42 AM

#11

timdf

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From: San Diego

ML430, Mini Cooper S and Porsche 911 Twin Turbo

Yes, mostly the cable is fine....

Try up rating the fuse first - it'll probably work out just fine. If by some remote chance you do have a problem with the cable loom, the fuse will still blow ok.

I seriously doubt that even on an ML pressure washing will have damaged either the fans or cables.

Nov 20, 2003 | 01:27 AM

#12

mihir_d

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From: Bay area - California

2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350

I don't think either, that its the pressure washing

I am personally an Electrical Engineer...would be hard for me to hit electrical wiring with water..the wrong way...that would be the stupidest I would ever have done in my career...if it turns out that my pressure washing blew it....

I couldn't get hold of my service manager today...will try to catch him tomorrow...and post the outcome..

I too think, just the fuse will fix it...

The harmonic balancer one that someone else pointed out...though seems to be a more serious problem..

Nov 20, 2003 | 09:46 AM

#13

azinn

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From: In A Van Down By The River

2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!

You might want to go to http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...hreadid=63512, and read all the stories about this problem. It affects all models with the V6 & V8, 1998 thru early 2000. Big problem when it fails.

Nov 21, 2003 | 05:10 PM

#14

mihir_d

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From: Bay area - California

2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350

Wow..that's quite a thread...

I think, this deserves a class action.....I am still having a hard time getting hold of my service advisor....but tomorrow, definitely I should get a hold of him...since I will be off work...and we won't be playing hide & seek with our voicemails..

Nov 21, 2003 | 05:21 PM

#15

mihir_d

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From: Bay area - California

2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350

Okay...here's the outcome...

I finally got a hold of my service advisor, he agreed, that this is a known problem....they can do it under good will...but looking at my mileage 68K....they will probably give me about 50% off the repair price (approx. $200)...which brings it to $100 out of pocket...

Secondly, about the harmonic balancer.....I am told that it was closely inspected through my B service and is just fine...and that during every 10K mile service, it is inspected for wear or possible failure.

About $200 to replace it now, if I insist on replacing it anyways....or about $2500 to fix things, if it breaks while the car is running...

Any advice?

Nov 21, 2003 | 06:42 PM

#16

azinn

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From: In A Van Down By The River

2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!

Okay you asked..................... on the Hamonic Balancer I would do it without a second thought. The wiring harness........... its your call.

Nov 21, 2003 | 06:53 PM

#17

mihir_d

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From: Bay area - California

2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350

I am getting the wiring harness done...

My service advisor promised me at least 50%, but he said he would push for more...since it is a known problem and at 68K I am not that very far away from the warranty period...plus I am under 4 years...

Parts is about $60 - if I DIY (I am told it is a simple job)...I would save $40...what the heck...I'll just get it done at the dealership..

I was also told, I could probably live with just upgrading the fuse to 40 Amps...but I did run the risk of causing more serious damage..if the harness couldn't take it...

Honestly, they said, most 98 and early 2000 models had 35 Amp wiring on it...but late 2000 models had the 40 Amp wiring on it...mine was built in late 2000...so I might be able to live with a fuse change...

All in all, I'll get it done at the dealership...

As for the harmonic balancer, I read several articles and threads on it...I am also convinced...I should get it done....especially since....

One of the problems I complained about while going in for my B service was mild vibration of the engine while idling....they claim it is the engine mounts that have flattened....causing the vibrations being transferred to the body and chassis...but, reading through the threads, it seems, the harmonic balancer problem has similar symptoms in the initial stages...this is making me more concerned about it...

I am getting both done....

I wonder whether MB will repay me for the harmonic balancer if it ends up becoming a class action...

Nov 21, 2003 | 07:06 PM

#18

azinn

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From: In A Van Down By The River

2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!

Yes, if the class action goes through you would be compensated for the repair. Anyone that paid for the power steering recall before it was an offical recall was compensated also. Make sure you keep your receipts.

Nov 23, 2003 | 09:52 PM

#19

mihir_d

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From: Bay area - California

2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350

Harmonic Balancer..

Guys, I checked my harmonic balancer...it has a part # 712 035 09 00 on it. Told the part # to the dealer, he says, nothing to worry about...its one of the updated ones...doesn't have that problem of ripping apart...should I believe in him, or should I get it replaced anyways?

Last edited by mihir_d; Nov 24, 2003 at 04:46 AM.

Nov 24, 2003 | 11:44 AM

#20

azinn

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From: In A Van Down By The River

2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!

Since its not #112 035 00 00 you should be okay. What month and year was your trucks build date? You lucked out I guess.

Nov 24, 2003 | 12:29 PM

#21

mihir_d

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From: Bay area - California

2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350

Mine was bult in July 2000

I purchased it in Sep 2000 - the very end of the model year...

Ao all in all...it boils down to $200 for the wiring harness/fuse for the aux. fans..out of which at least 50% MB will cover..

I scheduled an appointment next weekend for this...I should be in good shape then.

First out of pocket repair ever on it....after 3 years and 68K miles on it. Not bad...I would say. The only other thing I fixed out of pocket was a blown headlamp bulb...cost $11..

Nov 24, 2003 | 02:11 PM

#22

azinn

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From: In A Van Down By The River

2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!

mirhir_d.................. I forgot to ask you before.................. have you had the new improved fuel filter and lines done yet. If not you might want to check on them also. Sorry I didn't bring it up sooner. I'm not sure when they were introduced into production at the factory, but your dealer should cut you some slack on this upgrade also if it needs to be done.

Last edited by azinn; Nov 24, 2003 at 02:16 PM.

Nov 24, 2003 | 02:15 PM

#23

mihir_d

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From: Bay area - California

2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350

Yes..those were done looong back..

My very first 10,000 mile A service with them way back in mid 2001, I remember their telling me that they will be re-doing the fuel system on it.

The only other problem I have with it now, is a little vibration at idle time...I am told the motor mounts have flattened and need to be replaced...how frequently is this heard of?

My mileage is 68K..

Nov 24, 2003 | 02:20 PM

#24

azinn

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From: In A Van Down By The River

2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!

First I've heard of this problem. Only time I've read about a little vibration is when the harmonic balancer is going bad.

Nov 24, 2003 | 06:02 PM

#25

mihir_d

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From: Bay area - California

2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350

There has been some discussion on the motor mounts on this board..

Though, I have read about it in general just like the harmonic balancer, it is a problem mercedes wide..not just the M class...though there is not much of a noise on this though....

Haven't decided what to do about that....apart from the vibration, do flattened motor mounts pose any other threat??