Carlos:
You can put the MAF sensor in yourself. if the "check engine " light is on, it may or may not go out eventually on it's own. Lately. I have not been "calibrating" or resetting the adaptation for the fuel mixture, I've been leaving it alone, for a couple different reasons I won't go into here, unless prodded.
Some posters here have been saying the "check engine" light does go out by itself; I was taught otherwise, but if some say it does, i won't argue. When you work in a shop and can clear the code, it doesn't really turn into a problem.
I've had alot of bad range recognition switches, especially the first few years of ML production, haven't done one in quite awhile now, surprised they didn't remember this at the place you went.
If I recall correctly MB on warranty paid about 2 to 2.5 hours or so to do the job, incl R&R center console and remove the shifter, then tear the shifter down and replace the switch.
Gilly

I had the exact same thing happen to me this past weekend on a trip from Dallas to Houston, with the avg outside temp at 102 during late morning. Stopped for gas, restarted the car, pulled into the ramp to enter the interstate, and realized that I was locked into 2nd gear -- kept going about 1/4 mile until I could safely pull away from the interstate across the ditch onto the service/frontage road. Called MB roadside assistance, and they offered flatbed tow service for an arm and a leg (no complaints -- it is what it is), but 15 minutes later, the transmission simply reset on its own!! It was like a Microsoft Windows PC where I just rebooted and everything went back to normal!!!

I came back, took 98 ML320 w 116k miles to the dealer for a computer readout (after first having gone to Autozone for a complimentary OBDII scan which showed problems with ETC and EGR), and it showed about 16 different error codes. It was worth paying the $110 for the computer readout that gave me the detailed error codes.

Dealer quoted me $900 (parts + labor) for replacing the TCM, and $400 for EGR. These were estimates, without a guarantee that the problem would be fixed!

Then I sat down at the computer and started going through these forums and realized that potentially it was the gear recognition switch. Picked it up from the same dealer for $106.25 + tax (part # 210-545-13-32). Opened up the TCM, replaced the part -- BIG THANKS TO DAVID COOLS & GILLY for help -- took 6 hours total. No problems -- didn't have any parts left over after putting everything back together. Noticed that there were spill stains inside which means there was liquid that was spilled through the shifter opening.... sticky and dark which means most likely soda pop.

I still need to go back to get the computer reset to erase all the codes, but the CEL is off now, and haven't had the limp-home mode repeat. Unfortunately, I was alone at home and with the insane amount of grease on my hands, I did not take any digital pictures, but can tell you that there are plenty of moving parts inside the TCM that need to all be "set" properly as you are closing it back otherwise it will not close.... That is what took me over an hour.... but otherwise it was not a bad experience at all. What took me about 6 hours is rightly billed by dealers at 2.5 hrs -- if the mechanic knows his/her stuff, then it would take just about 2 to 2.5 hours to do the whole thing. The only challenge I had was that the dealer wasn't willing to replace just the gear recognition switch but wanted to replace the entire module.

Anyway, I'll post an update to this forum after I've reset the computer (anybody know how to do it without needing a star computer?) and let you know how things go.

Thanks to all who contribute to this forum -- makes the internet worthwhile!

Cheers!

ML 320 1999 Fuel Filter Change
 

I was looking at your part numbers and I noticed a few differences, especially in the price:

Job: R&R Fuel Filter -- 2.50 hours

1 163-477-07-01 Fuel Filter $99.18
1 PKMLFL Fuel Lines Press Re No Charge
1 001-997-83-90 Wire Tie, 15 $3.80
1 163-470-37-64 Line $35.03
1 163-470-29-64 Line $23.00
1 163-470-28-64 Line, Fuel $23.00

Totals:

Parts: 184.01
Labor: 275.00
Totals: 459.01

Also...I had my oil changed as per "A" Service

on the invoice I have Oil Filter F as part: 000-180-26-09. I know this is the filter insert since I bought one from the parts department so that I may try to do the oil changes in the future. However I noticed another part number amongst the charges...163-835-00-47 - Filter $40.12. What is this filter for?

Also, since I haven't opened the sealed filter insert, does it come with the Ring, General (Part No. 007603-014106)?

All told the oil change cost me $282 which includes 8 quarts of 0-40 Mobil 1.

After 7,000 miles of light driving (rarely above 90 miles/hr), and after an additional 2 quarts of Mobil 1, the oil is dark black in color with the FSS showing 5700 miles till next service. Is this normal? My Nissan Maxima ('95) uses 4 quarts of Mobil 1 and it has 4000 miles on it (129,000 total) since the oil change but its oil color is amber to light brown. It's a DOHC engine compared to the ML's SOHC engine. I am guessing perhaps the oil was never changed!?!...I don't know and I can't prove it since it's been 7000 miles since the change.

Thanks for reading this long thread...any advice would be welcome.

Chance.

please cc cneale@panix.com as well.