Hi all
Anyone seen this before and can shed some light would be helpful.
Got a '99 CLK320 with a sudden acceleration (similar to old Audi issue) unlike old Audi, this one doesn't take off when you put it in gear but intermittently (though fairly consistently) you are driving along and essentially car continues driving without using go pedal.
My feet were completely off the gas pedal and this one keeps accelerating. After applying brake pedal this car tries to continue to accelerate (brakes eventually win) but there is a significant lag time and you are fighting the vehicle from not wanting to stop as natural when you remove foot from gas pedal and go to brake pedal.
Now that I know this happens frequently, when I notice vehicle getting possesed I shift gear lever from "D" to "N" while driving and noticed the RPM guage revving up towards 3200 ~ 3600 before settling to idle while I am using brakes to slow down.
Anyone run into similar problem ? If yes, what was the fix? Any ideas?
Thank you -
SS

Take to mb dealership. I have a feeling they are going to cover this one no matter mileage and year.

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82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods

You may want to alter your practice of placing the transmission in neutral when you feel the vehicle is becoming possessed. The big "IF" is the engine management system, IF it does not recognize neutral then the engine MAY/WILL over run and destroy itself. Try using the cruise control switch to cancel (push forward) the current cruising speed, you may find it more effective then burning up brake pads. You may want to have your battery and charging system checked to ensure that they are in good order.

Please keep in mind that you are the vehicle owner, you are the one who drives the car, you are the one that can help the service represenatives address a potential safety related issue. Try to assemble a pattern of "How, When, What, Where and Why" this occurs. It seems very unusual, as well as unlikely, that a problem of this caliber could be occurring due to the amount of redundancy engineered into the system. You drive the car, we don’t therefore it is vitally important for you to communicate the failure pattern effectively so the potential fault in can be corrected.

Good luck and B

Ya know, I always said the Audi issue was caused by inattentive drivers who let the floormat sneak up onto the accelerator, much like my grandmother does, and then when you set your feet on the floor it nudges the pedal. I think MBs mats fit better, but just make sure that's not what it is!

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former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL

I appreciate your suggestions but I would like to hear from anyone who may actaully experienced similar problem and if there was a fix.

I had the “sudden acceleration” happen to me in an Audi about 1987. I was a very interesting problem and I reported it to Audi of America. They were very interested in my report (probably especially since I was working for a German Auto Manufacturer at the time).

What happened was I was in a rush and borrowed an Audi sedan from a dealer. I threw it in reverse and when I moved my foot to the brake, the car took off! I was absolutely shocked, found the brake pedal and stopped just short of crashing into several brand new Porsches on the dealer’s lot.

What I immediately realized and later reported was the initial feel of the brake pedal resistance and the gas pedal, were exactly the same. I mistook the gas pedal for the brake pedal since I was not used to their locations on the floor. I also commented on their relative locations to Audi. Since then, Audi and other manufacturers have allowed a little soft initial movement on brake pedals.

It was proven later that this incident was the real cause of the “sudden acceleration”.

Regarding the '99 CLK320, if it were my car I would not drive it until I fixed the problem. Some linkages on some Mercedes are known to bind and stick when not properly serviced. The linkage pivots on balls, like ball joints and when dry and dirty can stick, especially as they get hot and contract.

One important fact: You are in knowledge of driving a dangerous vehicle.

Please use utmost discretion and get it repaired for your own safety, the safety of others and because of the aforementioned liability.

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)