Post-crash repair issues
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Post-crash repair issues
Hello,
A few weeks ago, my ML320 was in a crash with another car. No one was hurt. Some photos are attached showing it in different stages of repair. You'll notice that I'm almost done replacing the damaged parts but I now have some questions/issues.
1. I'm considering getting a paint job for the whole car since I'm going to have to do some painting anyway. Anything I should look out for? I want matte black to go with some black rims but I ask just in case there's something I should know before sending it to a colourful demise. Also I'm open to ideas for what to do with the colour!
2. I tried driving it today, since it's just the bumper missing. I've noticed that when I slow down to a halt and then try to move (or just moving after starting the engine), sometimes the engine seems not to respond to the pedal. It feels like its power is being held back for about 2 seconds and then it all comes rushing out. I've noticed that this doesn't happen if I increase the pressure on the pedal VERY slowly. I would've guessed it's some sort of electronic thing where the signal is being delayed somehow but I'm hoping someone else can shed some more informed light on it.
3. SRS light. UGH.
EDIT: Saw the SRS thing in the sticky. So replace the connectors AND the sensor? Visual help please.
Also THIS: Door locks like to fail, jump up and down. replace latch to fix. Can someone please provide visual help?
Thanks!
A few weeks ago, my ML320 was in a crash with another car. No one was hurt. Some photos are attached showing it in different stages of repair. You'll notice that I'm almost done replacing the damaged parts but I now have some questions/issues.
1. I'm considering getting a paint job for the whole car since I'm going to have to do some painting anyway. Anything I should look out for? I want matte black to go with some black rims but I ask just in case there's something I should know before sending it to a colourful demise. Also I'm open to ideas for what to do with the colour!
2. I tried driving it today, since it's just the bumper missing. I've noticed that when I slow down to a halt and then try to move (or just moving after starting the engine), sometimes the engine seems not to respond to the pedal. It feels like its power is being held back for about 2 seconds and then it all comes rushing out. I've noticed that this doesn't happen if I increase the pressure on the pedal VERY slowly. I would've guessed it's some sort of electronic thing where the signal is being delayed somehow but I'm hoping someone else can shed some more informed light on it.
3. SRS light. UGH.
EDIT: Saw the SRS thing in the sticky. So replace the connectors AND the sensor? Visual help please.
Also THIS: Door locks like to fail, jump up and down. replace latch to fix. Can someone please provide visual help?
Thanks!
Last edited by kuleke; 10-08-2015 at 05:26 PM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 282
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2002 ML320, 2003 A160
1. Black is a bad colour for any car. If you live in Africa, it will make your car much hotter inside, until your air-con can cool it down (if it works). Just mask off the rest of the car and paint the fender and bonnet. If you're having it done professionally, you can get them to blend the front door and the LH fender.
(Why don't you put your location in your details, in "User CP"?)
2. If this happened after your crash, you probably have a cracked air intake hose somewhere. Check all the plastic pipes downstream of the MAF sensor.
3. After you replace the airbags and anything else that went off, you need to visit your MB dealer to get the SRS module reset. A suitably-equipped European specialist mechanic could also do it, for cheaper.
To replace the door latch, follow these instructions: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163...r-machine.html
(Why don't you put your location in your details, in "User CP"?)
2. If this happened after your crash, you probably have a cracked air intake hose somewhere. Check all the plastic pipes downstream of the MAF sensor.
3. After you replace the airbags and anything else that went off, you need to visit your MB dealer to get the SRS module reset. A suitably-equipped European specialist mechanic could also do it, for cheaper.
To replace the door latch, follow these instructions: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163...r-machine.html
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
1. Black is a bad colour for any car. If you live in Africa, it will make your car much hotter inside, until your air-con can cool it down (if it works). Just mask off the rest of the car and paint the fender and bonnet. If you're having it done professionally, you can get them to blend the front door and the LH fender.
(Why don't you put your location in your details, in "User CP"?)
2. If this happened after your crash, you probably have a cracked air intake hose somewhere. Check all the plastic pipes downstream of the MAF sensor.
3. After you replace the airbags and anything else that went off, you need to visit your MB dealer to get the SRS module reset. A suitably-equipped European specialist mechanic could also do it, for cheaper.
To replace the door latch, follow these instructions: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163...r-machine.html
(Why don't you put your location in your details, in "User CP"?)
2. If this happened after your crash, you probably have a cracked air intake hose somewhere. Check all the plastic pipes downstream of the MAF sensor.
3. After you replace the airbags and anything else that went off, you need to visit your MB dealer to get the SRS module reset. A suitably-equipped European specialist mechanic could also do it, for cheaper.
To replace the door latch, follow these instructions: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163...r-machine.html
The airbags did not go off when the crash happened (is this cause for concern?) could it be the reason given in the sticky?
About the engine thing, I took it to a mechanic who tells me that the 'speedometer sensor' is not working and needs to be replaced. I know he's referring to some kind of sensor that measures either the car speed or the engine rotation speed. I was hoping to get a different opinion on that.
Where is the MAF sensor and is it something I can easily check at home myself? I generally prefer to avoid workshops cause they charge way too much and often don't actually know what's wrong with the car but want to make money anyway.
I have also updated my profile to include my location as you suggested.
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Update:
I took the air filter and MAF sensor out to inspect for any damage as suggested and noticed that two of the clips used to hold the filter cover in place weren't doing their job. After replacing them, I noticed that the resting RPM is higher when I start the engine but there were still hints of it failing to respond in time.
I've tried looking around online for what sensor he might be talking about but I can't find anything clear, please help.
I took the air filter and MAF sensor out to inspect for any damage as suggested and noticed that two of the clips used to hold the filter cover in place weren't doing their job. After replacing them, I noticed that the resting RPM is higher when I start the engine but there were still hints of it failing to respond in time.
I've tried looking around online for what sensor he might be talking about but I can't find anything clear, please help.
#6
Super Member
Unplug the electrical connector to the MAF sensor & try the car out. If the car feels better, then most likely the MAF is faulty.
The 100% option is to have the car scanned for codes.
The 100% option is to have the car scanned for codes.
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I probably can't afford to replace all of those things right now but I'm guessing the MAF sensor is the most critical one?
Last edited by kuleke; 10-23-2015 at 01:25 PM.