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.Guy.

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Posts posted by .Guy.

    The "Ask a Mechanic" Thread

    in The Tailgate

    Posted

    How do you remove sentimentality?

     

    I used to just fix stuff myself so I'd offset labor and just buy a part. 

     

    My dad bought a Mercedes-Benz ML320 when it first came out back in '98. It was in Jurassic Park: The Lost World, and it left me with so much love for the W163. 

     

    It's almost 17 years old now and still running fine. Everything works except the gas gauge. Its become a 3rd vehicle nowadays and mostly used for towing (5,000lb no prob) so its nice to have. Cheap to insure as well. 

     

    Last few years the cooling has been problematic. First wouldn't blow cool, recharged the system (15 years at the time so makes sense). A year later, at stop AC stops blowing cool and engine spikes... turns out to be bad aux fans. Not a big deal, fixed myself and everything is good. 

     

    Last week the AC gets stuck on heat mode.... no matter what, blows hot. Turns out the air blend motor was bad. I was able to manually move the blend door myself but the AC isn't blowing cold anymore. Just outside air temp, but at least not hot air. 

     

    Taking it in next week to let the specialist diagnose it. Got a coupon to charge the whole system for $130 and I think thats fair but now I'm really thinking anything beyond a few hundred might not be worth it and seriously considering just donating the ML.

     

    But I love it so much. It tows like a beast (esp for a V6) and its been with us for so long I don't wanna part with it. I even have a utility trailer and no other vehicle to tow it with. 

     

    I know what you're thinking, "old Mercedes especially one made in Alabama, of course its gonna cost silly money to maintain", but since it sold so well, the forums literally have a fix for everything. Its just the AC system that's beyond my skill. 

     

    What should I do?

    • Like 1

    The "Ask a Mechanic" Thread

    in The Tailgate

    Posted

    Before you replace the alternator, check the fuse box on top of the battery. They have a habit of shorting in two places, the alternator harness (far left cable, black one with a flat fuse) and the 30 amp fuse for the coolant fans. Solid chance when you open that car you'll immediately see that the cable and fuse box are melted. If that's the case, you'll be replacing the fuse box and alternator harness first.

    thanks for the advice. Turns it out was indeed a bad alternator. Got it checked at AAZ so I am pretty sure. The fuse box looks fine and so do the cables. Now I just need to find a place that can do the repair for cheap. I would try it myself but I'm in Richmond (VCU) and no tools or even a garage here.

    The "Ask a Mechanic" Thread

    in The Tailgate

    Posted

    thanks. I am taking the car to Advanced Auto Parts today since they can check it out for free. I took a closer look as well today and it looks like all the connections are secure. The belt also looks good so every thing is pointing to the alternator. Kind of weird for it to go out after only 35k miles. Maybe its because for 3 years I had a pretty loud system in the car.

    The "Ask a Mechanic" Thread

    in The Tailgate

    Posted · Edited by .Guy.

    I have a quick question about my 2004 VW Jetta GL 2.0L. So the generator light (looks just like a battery) came on about a week go and just yesterday the car really started to falter. Stereo would shut off on its own and putting the windows up or down would cause the car to stutter and nearly stall. I replaced the battery today with a quality Optima one (overkill most likely) and that fixed the power issue but the warning light is still on. I've been doing some research and it sounds like it could be the alternator, belt or even a faulty fuse.

    The car isn't having any issues with power right now... but if it is a bad alternator I would expect this new battery to die pretty soon. Any ideas on what it could be?

    Awesome thread BTW. Appreciate you guys helping us non mechanically inclined folks out.

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