amirkd

I own an ML 350 gasoline 2009 model, W164.
Recently after an AC repair, while driving, the ESP warning sign appeared and the engine light also came up with some vibration. I stopped the car and restarted without a problem. The engine light disappeared the next day. After 10 days the engine light came back again and I could feel some vibration. I could also smell gasoline when I got out of the car. I took it to the mechanic. Using the Star diagnostic, he found many errors but reckoned the intake manifold to be the culprit. The manifold was fixed but the problem did not go away. He changed an engine cable, cleaned up the spark plugs (they were changed only a month ago), tried another air mass sensor etc. but the engine light would not go away and I could feel vibration, some loss of power and more importantly black smoke from the exhaust pipe. Another technician examined and said that I should change the ECU. The current technician wants to give the throttle sensor a try.As it is so expensive, I want to be absolutely sure that it is actually the engine ECU. Is there a way to rule it in or out??? What if I drive the car in this situation? Will it do a serious damage? I am trying the attach the first diagnostics image. This may have changed now though.Your guidance will be appreciated.

kombifan

Can you list your vin and codes you got from your mechanic. Maj Dundee often checks this forum and he can help if you post this information.

You can try a used part. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-2011-M...-/302727125024

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Ml...-/262886376968

kombifan

Ummm.

If it's as easy as this video... Why not do it yourself?

amirkd

Thanks for your help. Attached please find today's diagnostic report with VIN number. I have been advised to change alternator and ECU both. Any opinion/comment will be welcome (especially from Maj Dundee).

Maj. Dundee

The bill you posted is unreadable. Find a new way to make it larger.

What A/C repair was done?

What Intake Manifold repair was done?

amirkd

Dear Maj Dundee, Thanks for going through my post. I am trying to attach a close-up of the faults. Please let me know if it works. If not, I will gladly type in the whole info.

I had the AC compressor replaced along with the dryer.

Later, the whole intake manifold was replaced due to the same engine light that is still there.

Today I had the battery and alternator checked via Bosch's BAT 121. The report was not very pleasing. Battery needs replacement (12.49V) and Alternator volt. is 12.18V which is considered 'very low'.

I am at a loss as to from where to start! Your guidance will be appreciated.

Maj. Dundee

Whoever told you that the ECU had to be replaced is lying to you or is completely ignorant, as there are not supporting code to do so. Do not have the ECU replaced.

Is the truck driveable ?

You say that the ESP light is on but whoever scanned your truck did not include those codes. Are there any other codes that you didn't post?

You must get your own scanner and the entire veh. must be scanned.
After you receive the scanner, all codes must be deleted and then the codes must be re-read.

amirkd

Thanks for your advice.

Yes it is driveable but there is vibration and at times loss of power. I am not sure whether I should drive it or not.

The ESP light came only once then it was gone. Only the engine light is constantly on.

I posted almost all error codes, I believe.
The code that apparently convinced the technician to declare the ECU verdict is highlighted in yellow in the image I posted yesterday.
It says: 0435 The electronic analysis system of the O2 sensor in the engine control unit is defective (P0607)
How do you interpret this fault? There are two more errors that relate to O2 sensors

I am not a technology-savvy driver so I can only take the car to another technician and ask them to erase and re-read the codes.

What is your take on the battery and the generator?

Thanks for your help.

kombifan

If you can order the scanner that maj dundee posted it can help in figuring out what actually needs to be done and what is a recurring issue.

That way you can delete codes and see what keeps coming bacj up.

Maj. Dundee

If there was no shaking prior to the A/C repair and the intake manifold, then the repair is the cause of your problem,and in all probability it was because of the intake manifold.

The description of code 0435 means that the O2 sensor is faulty and has nothing to do with the ECU.

Again, the codes must be read in the ESP control module. Please get the scanner I suggested, lean how to auto scan the entire truck and post all the codes.

amirkd

Thank you for the advice.

The vibration was occasionally there even before the AC and intake manifold work was done, although no power loss was noticed. That was the reason for going for the manifold replacement.

More than the 0435 code, I am more bothered with P0607. I read about it:
https://www.yourmechanic.com/article...-brady-klopfer

I am out of town. Upon return I will check how I can get the scanner in Saudi Arabia or buy locally.

Maj. Dundee

In you opening sentence you said different. You misled us to believe that the vibration occurred after the A/C repair.

Next time get things right.

amirkd

Apologies. Yes, it could have been misleading. I was travelling. The problem still persists though.

Maj. Dundee

After 19 days you are miraculously alive again.

Explain you problem. Is the car driveable? Who did the repair on the intake?

Do you own a scanner? If not get this one.

amirkd

Yes, it was a long absence. The problem persisted. I changed the alternator and the battery (it was weak anyway below 11V). I am technically very basic so I had to take it to the Mercedes dealer who diagnose the problem as a faulty air mass meter plus two lambda sensors. They changed it and now the car is OK. The engine light is gone. Total cost around USD 4K (all repairs)

For two days I had to drive the car with heavy black smoke. I wonder if I should worry about the catalytic converter of the spark plugs? The car is good but slightly heavier than before. Any advice?

Maj. Dundee

You paid 4K for a MAF Sensor and 2 O2 sensors? Did you report this robbery to the police?

amirkd

No, I meant all repairs towards fixing this problem i.e. intake manifold, alternator, battery, two lambda sensors and the air mass meter. At the end, the culprit was the mass meter and the two sensors.

Do you have any advice whether I should be doing any preventive repairs as I drove the car with thick black smoke for a few days?

Maj. Dundee

Do you have the black smoke presently or it was in the past?

amirkd

In the past

dogobat

Thanks, Maj Dundee - just what I was looking for!!