Ghost in the Machine
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 133
From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
Ghost in the Machine
I've been having a few odd electrical issues on my '08 ML550. The other day the climate control suddenly switched from "auto" to manual with a bunch of strange settings. I hit "auto" again and it went back into auto mode as before. Later, on a different day, the stereo system would not shut off. After a few re-starts, it was okay again. Then today, I got in the car and as soon as I touched the brake pedal with my foot, the car started all by itself! I have keyless-go and I definitely did not touch the start button (someone was in the car with me and saw it happen and saw that both of my hands were on the steering wheel when it started). Weird.
- FD
- FD
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 1
From: New York, Westchester
2017 GLE 350 W4, 2016 C 300, 2012 E 350 W4 Lux, 2006 ML 350
OOoooooooo
Better get that to the dealer. Let them hook up the ghost buster machine. If they tell you everything is ok. Bring it to another dealer. Keep us posted. Good Luck
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna, BC
'09 ML550
I have often wondered where the poltergeist went after we exorcised him from my old 328 BMW. He used to open windows at random, switch on the wipers, and occasionally just refuse to start the engine for ten minutes in the morning. I guess he took up residence in your ML. (Turned out to be static build-up in the tires that would arc across to the ABS sensors and cause the central computer to Ctrl-Alt-Del. When we grounded the ABS sensors, he was exorcised for ever.)
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 898
Likes: 9
From: Woodstock, IL
His 2019 RAM Cummins Turbo Diesel Laramie; Her's 2007 ML320 CDI P3; Mine BMW R1200R
I wonder if the static buildup is what is causing the issues with the Toyota's?
Of all my years tinkering with cars, I would have never tried a fix like that.
Of all my years tinkering with cars, I would have never tried a fix like that.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna, BC
'09 ML550
Many years before that I had a Saab that had exhibited similar problems that turned out to be caused by static. It was only because of this that I stuck to my guns and kept insisting to my BMW dealer that it was a static build-up that was causing the issue, even after nine months of random 'events' and frustration and swapping out computers and wires and fuses and who knows what, and getting to know all the SAs by first name. In fairness, I didn't know what was causing the static; credit for that goes to somebody at BMW.
I won't be surprised at all if you turn out to be correct about the cause of Toyota's (and Honda's and GM's and who knows who else's) problems with brakes vs throttle. None of us should be too smug; it could happen just as easily with Mercedes. Maybe it's what is causing Floobydust's problems.
