The gas pedal on my '04 ML350 has a heavy spring return and a slight stickyness to the motion that makes the ML a PITA to drive smoothly.

MB service department says 'that's the way it is Jack'.

Compared to the silky smooth progression and feel on my BMW's gas pedal, the Mercedes is not coming back for a second season. Mercedes engineering is way behind on this issue.

ya, I agree on that, although, all other Mercedes models have a more smooth and progressive feel to the throttle, compared to the ML's. Also, the throttle response is slow, even in the ML55. Mercedes tried to improve it with the adaptive accelerator on some models, but throttle response at low speeds is still very lazy. The AMG programmed adaptive accelerator is supposedly lightening quick though.

I tried fixing this on my own. Its a rather hit or miss thing, some are worse than others. Funny I replaced every part of the accelerator pedal and linkage and all, and it still does it. I doubt you will find a 100% satisfactory solution. The easiest way to improve it is to stretch out the spring on the pedal value sensor. I recommend doing a very small amount at a time, otherwise pedal effort will be too light and you won't be able to maintain a constant speed. A new spring is only about $2.00 though so if you screw it up, its cheap to put back to stock!

Do a search on "stiff accelerator pedal"
I did the same thing Saturnstyl did. Much better after stretching the spring.
let us know how it goes.

"thats how it is JAck".

Hey guys, is there a accelerator cable in the ML, or is it fly-by-wire? The reason I ask is that there was a similar problem on the SL (the previous model).

I have the same issue on my ML430, but i don't think there's anything I can do. In fact i find my accelerator pedal on my 1990 Toyota Cressida better than the ML430, especially when you're in stop/go traffic!

riz

according to the dealer... (which means nothing really) it is supposed to be like that for off roading applications.

You're right, it means nothing when the dealer tells you something the best one I heard was "there is no known problem with the ML fuel gauge"

Anyway, the ML might have the same problem as the old SL (the one just replaced) the cable was so tight (assuming the ML has a cable) and went around so many turns that the cable became stiff and often snapped. Apart from snapping, the car was very difficult to drive smoothly as it was almost impossible to accelerate gradually.
The problem on the ML is probably that it goes around so many turns the friction is affecting the drivers control.

Thanks for the comments men.

SATURNSTYL: Is the the spring on the 'pedal value sensor' the spring inside the cabin attached to the actual gas pedal mechanism?

I have stretched the spring on the black box sensor where the throttle cable connects at the firewall. It might have made a slight improvement.

There's a lot to like about my ML I sure hope I can improve the pedal action.

Yes the Pedal Value Sensor is the black box under the hood. Some models have it made in to the accelerator pedal, the ML does not.

Thanks saturnstyl, I had stretched that spring just as far as possible and it may have made the pedal a little lighter.

Clearly though, MB needs to remedy this with a design change.

Gentlemen, happy to say a replacement of the throttle cable and the pedal assembly was the answer. Nice smooth, easy to drive throttle now.

I certainly recommend this fix to any ML owner with one of these miserable throttle problems.

Thanks for your all your help.

"tactile feel" is one of those things that will make or break a car. You may just absolutely love everything about it, but if one of your primary interfaces grates on your nerves, the honeymoon is over.

I feel the same way. I wish this could be fixed with just a little bit of wd40, but that's not the case.

Warrantable!!!! Take to dealer, there is a bulletin on this very issue. A new accelerator cable will usually fix it. Mine took 2 attempts..... Lubing it can make it worse. The cable is very easy to change in case it isn't in warranty. Think its around $20.00

by doing this, does this lessen the sticky pedal feel when u step on the gas? that's what i find on the ML. i step on it and it has this sticky feel. i step harder and then it slips as if i floored it. lol. i can never get a smooth acceleration like my c320.

Yes it fixes exactly what you describe!

Beign a nerd, i would describe it as the coefficient of static friction being too high on the pedal...

rizwan

well... same idea anyway hehe

Hi everyone

Apologies to be bumping such an old thread, but have just bought a 2001 ML 55 AMG and I'm having real problems trying to drive the car smoothly as the pedal seems to have a 'notch' in the middle that means it's either go slowly or vrooom!

Any ideas as to what part number I should replace if it is the cable and any other tips much appreciated

Many thanks

Alex

experiencing the same thing with my ML320 02.. just ordered new throttle like recommended by 'jaksml350', while keeping the stock pedal assembly as is .. need abt 2-3 wks delivery time .. dlr doesnt have stock .. will update once installed.

@blue960 - many thanks for the reply!

Do you have a part number and/or picture of the new throttle linkage (I think that's what the post means!) that you have ordered?

Happy to try the same and let me know how you get on with yours when you get it :->

@ judder ... It's only written "special order - throttle cable" .... No parts number printed on Dealer's WO. Will update once got the part number from them.
Really hope this will solve the problem. Had tried stretching the spring as suggested but not much improvement...quite frustrating.

Managed to find a friendly Mercedes dealer in Mercedes-Benz North Wales (highly recommended if in the UK) and they provided me both the pedal and the cable new for less than £50/$50

For reference for everyone else, the part numbers are:

Accelerator Pedal: A 163 300 08 04
Cable; A 163 301 06 23

Now just to get my local friendly garage to fit them and Happy Days

Alex

update :

got the new cable installed (the same part number referred by Judder) by the dealer, but the result is not as expected....the feel is still heavy... quite upset. i guess i'd need the accelerator pedal too ..

@judder .. have you installed both new pedal and cable yet? can you share the result pls. btw, is there one more new pedal from your dealer ..? thank you