[Wolfgang]

This campaign was updated and now includes W163 M-Class VINs from 2001 to 2005.

http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Mercedes-Benz/1144306800000_1145257200000_2005070017D/index.html

 

[AC_ML]

I took my ML 500 this last weekend for service "A", and they performed the recall you are mentioning above. The service advisor thought that I should have received a letter from MB, but I have not received it yet.. They performed it anyway without even asking for the letter..

Thanks Wolfgang..!!


AC

 

[Wolfgang]

You are welcome, AC. []

 

[asianml]

Phew! Our ML isn't listed on this. I'm gonna ask anyway as I have other things to ask the dealer. Thanks for the heads up Wolfgang. Really appreciate it.[]

 

[onesixthree]

My ml's VIN falls into the range. Is this a recall or a service bulletin? My warranty expired some time ago already. Thanks

 

[Wolfgang]

onesixthree - 4/19/2006 7:47 AM

My ml's VIN falls into the range. Is this a recall or a service bulletin? My warranty expired some time ago already. Thanks

It's a service campaign. For the ML320 two different alternators were used: Bosch and Valeo. If yours has a Bosch the regulator needs to be replaced. If it has a Valeo alternator then it's fine and does not need to be replaced.

[]

 

[cmitch]

Bosch, as of late, can't seem to make a reliable electronic part.

 

[ae86pwr]

let's campaign Nippon Denso to start making Mercedes part... forget BOSCH and go Denso!

 

[Wolfgang]

Here's the picture again.

Issued: Thu, Apr 6, 2006
TSB Number: 2005070017D
Title: Campaign - Alternator and or Regulator Inspection and or Replacement
http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Mercedes-Benz/1144306800000_1145257200000_2005070017D/index.html

 

[2bmj]

Thanks Wolfgang for link to the revised TSB

Mercedes-Benz 1998 to 2005 M-Class (W163) TSBs

Joe

 

[gsj224]

ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!

I had my altenator replaced 4 times in 2 years!!!! Like the Harmonic Balancer, if the service was done at an Indie can we still receive restitution for funds allocated in the project?

 

[ABenzGuy]

Alternator Failed !?!?

I WISH I had seen this before last Wednesday when my alternator was replaced by the dealer for a tad over $1K. I was going out of town the day after the ML died and left me stranded by the side of the freeway. I had to have the ML back on the road quickly so I didn't have time then to do this research and of course my dealer service department got me in quickly. I doubt seriously they checked the voltage regulator (not much money in that!) nor was this service bulletin mentioned to me. I'll be down there bright and early tomorrow morning to discuss this with the service manager. I am also writing MBNA to complain of a part failing at less than 33,000 miles 6 months after my warranty expires!

Also, could someone please explain the affected VINs to me. This is all I see in the tech bulletin:

163.154/172/174/175/157

Does this mean if my VIN has a "54" in it it was included or "154" or ???

 

[ABenzGuy]

One more question to add: IF the voltage regulator failed would the alternator voltage output be "0" volts? If the alternator fails; as Benz says mine did, wouldn't the output still be "0"?

 

[WolfWinter]

Thats strange. Even my idiotic MB dealer here always checks the TBS when I take the car in. The Ford dealer does that too when I have to take her car in..

 

[ABenzGuy]

I WISH I had seen this before last Wednesday when my alternator was replaced by the dealer for a tad over $1K. I was going out of town the day after the ML died and left me stranded by the side of the freeway. I had to have the ML back on the road quickly so I didn't have time then to do this research and of course my dealer service department got me in quickly. I doubt seriously they checked the voltage regulator (not much money in that!) nor was this service bulletin mentioned to me. I'll be down there bright and early tomorrow morning to discuss this with the service manager. I am also writing MBNA to complain of a part failing at less than 33,000 miles 6 months after my warranty expires!

Also, could someone please explain the affected VINs to me. This is all I see in the tech bulletin:

163.154/172/174/175/157

Does this mean if my VIN has a "54" in it it was included or "154" or ???

Well, as I expected my talk with the dealer service manager was ineffective. I was told that the bulletin didn't apply to my specific alternator problem and that the problem was definitely the alternator and NOT the voltage regulator. Wish I had had them give me the old part - lesson learned here! Now I'll see what I get back from MBUSA as a result of my letter to them. I wish I had a translation of the VIN that I had asked for here and I might have had a little more to go into the service manager with. Anyway, I'll keep you posted as to my trials with this.

 

[ABenzGuy]

Well, as I expected my talk with the dealer service manager was ineffective. I was told that the bulletin didn't apply to my specific alternator problem and that the problem was definitely the alternator and NOT the voltage regulator. Wish I had had them give me the old part - lesson learned here! Now I'll see what I get back from MBUSA as a result of my letter to them. I wish I had a translation of the VIN that I had asked for here and I might have had a little more to go into the service manager with. Anyway, I'll keep you posted as to my trials with this.

UPDATE. My letter to Benz USA did some good! I sent them the tech bulletin I found here on the regulator along with my letter. After having them discuss it with my dealership my dealership refunded all but $130.00 of the $1k I paid for a new alternator. Happy, happy, happy.... Well, hopefully this alternator and/or its parts will last a little longer than the old one!

 

[mlfun]

UPDATE. My letter to Benz USA did some good! I sent them the tech bulletin I found here on the regulator along with my letter. After having them discuss it with my dealership my dealership refunded all but $130.00 of the $1k I paid for a new alternator. Happy, happy, happy.... Well, hopefully this alternator and/or its parts will last a little longer than the old one!

ABenzguy, who in Benz USA did you address it to ?
A similar incident happeneed to be where the dealer was not aware of a TSB.

Thanks

 

[ABenzGuy]

ABenzguy, who in Benz USA did you address it to ?
A similar incident happeneed to be where the dealer was not aware of a TSB.

Thanks

First, try to work it out with your dealer like I did since they're the ones that will be dealing with you on your problem eventually. If that doesn't work as in my case then write MBUSA. They in turn contact your dealer on your behalf. In over 15 years of owning Mercedes vehicles I have done this twice and both times it really helped.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
3 Paragon Drive
Montvale, N.J. 07645

 

[Check Codes]

Yeah, I think I got hosed as well. I have a 210 with the VIN in the range, stealership said it wasn't part of the campaign...this all came up after my dash lit up like Apollo 13 and just about left me stranded. Bosch 120 A alternator, just like the one pictured.

I ended up doing all the labor myself and was 95% sure it was just the regulator, $50 later I was proven correct. While the $50 is no big deal the 5 days the car was down while I chased down possible culprits would have been nice to recover.

On a different topic, is anyone here interested in a MAF DIY (cleaning/replacement) for the V6 3.2L? Let me know and I'll toss you the link.

Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg

 

[Darkmann]

Where's the information regarding affected VINs? I see the 163 is affected but I'm not sure if all VINs are affected.