[aces-n-eights]

New guy here with some new guy questions...

Our daughter and son-in-law and their kids are out camping and their ML350 (mid 2000's, 2007 maybe?) is suddenly doing some weird electrical stuff - the tail lights are always on, including brake lights, the gas gauge is at zero, the power seats don't work, the doors lock sometimes not other times, the gas door is locked, key fob doesn't work. It's driveable and they went to an auto parts store and were told the battery is weak and needs a charge... after driving for about 2 hours. The battery is about 1.5 years old.

There was a lightning storm last night for them but no lightning struck near them - i don't know if this is connected at all.

Any advice i can pass on to them?

Thanks much!

 

[WE47B1ME]

New guy here with some new guy questions...

Our daughter and son-in-law and their kids are out camping and their ML350 (mid 2000's, 2007 maybe?) is suddenly doing some weird electrical stuff - the tail lights are always on, including brake lights, the gas gauge is at zero, the power seats don't work, the doors lock sometimes not other times, the gas door is locked, key fob doesn't work. It's driveable and they went to an auto parts store and were told the battery is weak and needs a charge... after driving for about 2 hours. The battery is about 1.5 years old.

There was a lightning storm last night for them but no lightning struck near them - i don't know if this is connected at all.

Any advice i can pass on to them?

Thanks much!

Well, which year is it? 2005 is a different ML than a 2007.

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[khomer2]

New guy here with some new guy questions...

Our daughter and son-in-law and their kids are out camping and their ML350 (mid 2000's, 2007 maybe?) is suddenly doing some weird electrical stuff - the tail lights are always on, including brake lights, the gas gauge is at zero, the power seats don't work, the doors lock sometimes not other times, the gas door is locked, key fob doesn't work. It's driveable and they went to an auto parts store and were told the battery is weak and needs a charge... after driving for about 2 hours. The battery is about 1.5 years old.

There was a lightning storm last night for them but no lightning struck near them - i don't know if this is connected at all.

Any advice i can pass on to them?

Thanks much!

Welcome aces-n-eights,

===>>> Update your user CP info....

click on your icon----> click on Account Settings---->
goto Account Details----> add vehicle details---->
ADD your make model YEAR ----> click save

Symptoms seem like there has been some possible water leak damage done - water in the DS and PS front footwells?
Any issues/history prior to camping out?

 

[aces-n-eights]

Well, which year is it? 2005 is a different ML than a 2007.

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Actually it is a 2008!

 

[WE47B1ME]

Actually it is a 2008!

Need to move to the w164 forum.

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[Witek_M]

New guy here with some new guy questions...

Our daughter and son-in-law and their kids are out camping and their ML350 (mid 2000's, 2007 maybe?) is suddenly doing some weird electrical stuff - the tail lights are always on, including brake lights, the gas gauge is at zero, the power seats don't work, the doors lock sometimes not other times, the gas door is locked, key fob doesn't work. It's driveable and they went to an auto parts store and were told the battery is weak and needs a charge... after driving for about 2 hours. The battery is about 1.5 years old.

There was a lightning storm last night for them but no lightning struck near them - i don't know if this is connected at all.

Any advice i can pass on to them?

Thanks much!

You have water intrusion in rear of the car. Rear SAM got wet. 😕

 

[Witek_M]

Thanks @khomer2

 

[Witek_M]

Actually it is a 2008!

Here is your reading material.

Search results for query: "water intrusion"

www.benzworld.org

 

[aces-n-eights]

Thanks for the quick response, witek. I think they're going to try to get it home, doesn't sound like a cheap fix...

Can they try to dry the SAM out or is it most likely shot?

Thanks again guys.

 

[Witek_M]

Thanks for the quick response, witek. I think they're going to try to get it home, doesn't sound like a cheap fix...

Can they try to dry the SAM out or is it most likely shot?

Thanks again guys.

First thing to do is get it in safe place and disconnect battery negative cable.

 

[aces-n-eights]

Thank you

 

[HandbuiltX]

Hello there!

Reading your initial post I knew right away that the problem is with the rear SAM module. It seems like water had leaked its way through the tail light seal and got into the module. It’s a known issue on the w164’s and you should replace the tail light seal before remedying the module problem.

Disconnect your rear sam and open it up to see the circuit board. You’ll notice the corrosion from the water spots.

You can TRY your best to clean it all off and hope for the best, or you will have to get a replacement module. The cheap way would be to get the part number and throw it into eBay, see if you can find a part with the same numbers.

otherwise its a dealer job for upwards of $1xxx.

goodluck!
I’ve witnessed this exact problem on a ML63 AMG, same symptoms and everything.

It stormed and when it rained it poured. Sadly making the owner of this car poorer!

It’s always great to look out and do your PM’s on all of your vehicles! Changing a $xx seal couldve saved you a thousand bucks. But we never know everything so its OK!

 

[aces-n-eights]

Thanks, yes there is definitely evidence of water in the compartment what the SAM is located. The "remove the negative lead from the battery" trick worked and the car is operating properly now. Will replace the taillight seal.

 

[Witek_M]

Thanks, yes there is definitely evidence of water in the compartment what the SAM is located. The "remove the negative lead from the battery" trick worked and the car is operating properly now. Will replace the taillight seal.

As in post above you need to tear out fuse box and rear SAM open them up and clean corrosion.

Rear SAM water damage - power seats not working

Dear All Great forum! First post! I have a 2007 ML that had a broken tail light and let in water. Little did I know there was a SAM unit there, until all hell broke loose and alarms came on, then off - lights failed and all sorts of electrical issues ensued. Anyway - long story short - I dried...

www.benzworld.org

 

[Planethill]

Also, if the car has an automatic tailgate, be sure to open the hydraulic pump box (in the same area) and check the foam inside. That foam rubber loves to absorb all that water, and then hold it next to the pump and wiring forever until it rusts out. Ask me how I know.