powerlock problem

[tablahan]

when i lock (via the remote) the vehicle something abnormal happens.

The front driver side lock pops up and down 3 to 4 times in rapid succession before it eventually locks up. This thing used to happen every now and then, then intermittently, now it happens almost every time.

This occurence does not happen when I unlock the vehicle though.

Any suggestions?

[Peter Guenther]

It was a common problem on 99 MLs, the fix was to change out the lock. This of course was under warranty and they changed them all.
It had to do with a spring, the motor tried to lock the car but the spring pushed it back up, that is where the ratcheting sound came from.
There must have been a bulletin, to the dealers. If they dont do it willingly see if you can arrange a meeting with the local MB rep.
It is not that easy, some pop rivets and the regulator have to be replaced, My ML ws the worst MB product ever, I traded it back after a year.

[Gilly]

Actually the problem is a microswitch in the door latch, but to repair it is the same as Peter mentioned, needs an updated door lock assembly. The power locks lock the doors, but if this microswitch is bad, the system doesn't recognize that the afflicted door is locked, so it attempts to lock it again, and again, and again, until the switch makes contact or the system just gives up.

Gilly

[tablahan]

Thanks guys. Problem is the car is overseas. Does anyone have the part number of the microswitch? Can i do a DIY or would i need to have the shop replace the microswitch.

I'm a little mechanically inclined and can follow basic directions. Any suggestions?

[baniserie3]

I have the same problem on my 98 ML320 and to fix it I got a new power lock from the dealer for 78 Dollars and replace it by myself.

[Peter Guenther]

Gilly,
Here is one for you on this ML issue. I went thru the lock replacement issue twice on all the doors. They looked at the body computer and found "faults" registering from the taigate, the common concesus was to ignore, since many MLs were showing a fault in that area. After changing the locks twice, the shop forman had had it, and started to chase the "tailgate" issue. They replaced the actuator, still got a "fault". The next step was to loosen the actuator, the faults became "intermittent" There was another approach to enlarge the mounting holes for the actuator and gues what, the problem solved. The dealership had another car doing the the same thing, and they also were at their wits end. It had someting to do with the body computer polling the microswitches.
We were able to duplicate, by opening the passenger front door, closing, and then using the remote to lock, that door would lock unlock and then lock. After the tailgate mod it went away, so did the ML, it spent a lot of its life being taken apart, fuel pump, ignition switch, goop on headliner, rattles, etc. and I wanted no more to do with this "junk" from Alabama.

[Peter Guenther]

In response to the locking issue, it is not simple but also a pain.
The window regulator has to be removed to get the lock out, this means drilling out the pop rivets, the lock has to be removed but first the door handles have to be removed, and then everything put back. I have observed it a few times from a distance. I would work with the dealer since it is a known problem, the locks that were modified or are new style were to be color coded with a paint dot.