Door locks
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Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 49
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From: Cornhusker State
ML 500, John Deere tractor
Door locks
At about 55,000 miles and 20 months of ownership the left rear door lock went out on my ML 500. When you hit the magic speed where they automatically lock it would sound like a jack hammer. It took the dealership a couple of days and about $600 to fix it. The second day we had it back home the other one started doing the same thing.
Anyone else had this problem?
Should I have to pay $1200 for new door locks on that new of a vehicle?
Would it do any good to contact anyone at Benz?
Anyone else had this problem?
Should I have to pay $1200 for new door locks on that new of a vehicle?
Would it do any good to contact anyone at Benz?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
This is the first I have heard of a lock problem with a W164 if in fact it is a W164 and not a W163. As for the charge, you are out of warranty due to miles, you really drive a lot!! So, this and any future repairs will be on you. The charge is in line with most dealer labor rates and parts cost.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 35
From: Atlanta, GA USA
2000 MB G500 NMLE, 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Prestige
This is the first I have heard of a lock problem with a W164 if in fact it is a W164 and not a W163. As for the charge, you are out of warranty due to miles, you really drive a lot!! So, this and any future repairs will be on you. The charge is in line with most dealer labor rates and parts cost.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Earth
MB GLK 2010
I have the same problem about 1 month ago and it's only 16,000 miles. Sometimes I get the "jackhammer" condition. But, most of the time it works. It has been a frustrating experience with my ML350. I have taken my car in 10 times for problems (transmission, electronics, brakes, tires, etc etc) since I got it. The lock problem I will live with until it completely does not work, because I have to drive 2 hours to the nearest dealer.
Tis is life. hehe..
Tis is life. hehe..
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 809
Likes: 74
From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
I haven't seen any of these come in yet with this problem, and I don't remember having any of the door panels off just yet.
If they are like the W163, all you have to do is take off the door panels and inspect the rubber boot around the door lock rod. If the rubber boot is pushed down around the rod, it will cause this "jack hammer" effect. all you have to do is spray something like a wet type silicone spray onto the lock rod and pull the boot back up to its normal position. Also, if the "jack hammer" is still present after this, then that is when the lock actuator will need to be replaced.
Hope this helps..
If they are like the W163, all you have to do is take off the door panels and inspect the rubber boot around the door lock rod. If the rubber boot is pushed down around the rod, it will cause this "jack hammer" effect. all you have to do is spray something like a wet type silicone spray onto the lock rod and pull the boot back up to its normal position. Also, if the "jack hammer" is still present after this, then that is when the lock actuator will need to be replaced.
Hope this helps..
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Joined: Sep 2004
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My 2 cents worth
I had a 1999 ML with the exact same problems. My advice is get the dealer to replace whatever before your car goes out of the original warranty. THey will give you song and dance about not being able to recreate the problem. They will CHARGE YOU for parts and labor after the original warranty. I sold the ML 2 years ago.
My C230 is doing the same thing now, about 5000 miles out of original warranty. I bought premium extended warranty. Dealer just told me today, it's not the actuator but the lock mechanism that is shorted. The extended warranty does not cover it. $450. I'm looking into selling this MB also!!!!
My C230 is doing the same thing now, about 5000 miles out of original warranty. I bought premium extended warranty. Dealer just told me today, it's not the actuator but the lock mechanism that is shorted. The extended warranty does not cover it. $450. I'm looking into selling this MB also!!!!
