[NJMZ]

Everytime it seems the Wife/daughter take the car out of state alone it breaks down.

They were on there way back from Va to NJ the car was running well and stopped for gas. It started up after refueling and only ran for a couple of seconds.....I guess they did this quite a few times before the battery went dead.
They had to be towed to a Foreign car repair shop.
The problem the mechanic tells them is that the "control module" is not recognizing the Key and needs to be replaced. A New part installed $1600 remanuf about $850.
We chose the remanu due to price but he had to send to NC for it....now 2 days later that Co is having problems and it will be delayed. Now he says he thinks he can do a work around....on the module to make it work. It will be more labor, but about $75 less than the $850.
I told them to let him go ahead with fixing it.

1st of all, I did not think the key was coded! 2nd, this sounds like a classic bait and switch game!

Am I getting ripped off or does this sound legitimate?

Appreciate it.............& Thanks in advance

 

[cmitch]

Everytime it seems the Wife/daughter take the car out of state alone it breaks down.

They were on there way back from Va to NJ the car was running well and stopped for gas. It started up after refueling and only ran for a couple of seconds.....I guess they did this quite a few times before the battery went dead.
They had to be towed to a Foreign car repair shop.
The problem the mechanic tells them is that the "control module" is not recognizing the Key and needs to be replaced. A New part installed $1600 remanuf about $850.
We chose the remanu due to price but he had to send to NC for it....now 2 days later that Co is having problems and it will be delayed. Now he says he thinks he can do a work around....on the module to make it work. It will be more labor, but about $75 less than the $850.
I told them to let him go ahead with fixing it.

1st of all, I did not think the key was coded! 2nd, this sounds like a classic bait and switch game!

Am I getting ripped off or does this sound legitimate?

Appreciate it.............& Thanks in advance

For starters, we don't have near enough information to determine IF you are being ripped off. But, I don't quite understand what this work around is that he speaks of. The 99 ML has the AAM (All Activity Module) and DAS (Drive Authorization System) integrated into one unit. So, if the DAS is bad, the entire unit will have to be replaced. I don't know of a 'work around' that will work on this particular system. Maybe somebody with more tech saviness could weigh in but I don't believe it can be done.

Now, there are only 8 key slots on the DAS/AAM of the '98 and 99 ML. Some have said that when one key quits workin, that a replacement key can be made with instructions on the work order 'Duplicate Key #1'. But, you say that it has supposedly quit recognizing all keys. How does he know this? Does he have access to Mercedes Specific diagnostic equioment or is he just guessing?

 

[NJMZ]

Cmitch

I have not talked to them.......and even if I did, I would not even know what to ask on this problem.........My wife said he only works on MB and BMW's and had equipment hooked up testing.

But I am clueless here.

I wish I could give you more info. I thought perhaps it starting and then dieing a few times, and then nothing ....... then his talk of the module would make sense.

Sounded like bad gas to me, but I don't even know IF the battery went dead, or everything just went dead..........hard to get info from the girls.

Thanks.....I guess I am just at his mercy.( good thing they were within 1/2 hr of my sons house to be picked up and stay over........It could have been much worse)

 

[Witek_M]

I have not talked to them.......and even if I did, I would not even know what to ask on this problem.........My wife said he only works on MB and BMW's and had equipment hooked up testing.

But I am clueless here.

I wish I could give you more info. I thought perhaps it starting and then dieing a few times, and then nothing ....... then his talk of the module would make sense.

Sounded like bad gas to me, but I don't even know IF the battery went dead, or everything just went dead..........hard to get info from the girls.

Thanks.....I guess I am just at his mercy.( good thing they were within 1/2 hr of my sons house to be picked up and stay over........It could have been much worse)

What you need to do is ask for specific code numbers from engine control module and AAM. Unfortunately situation fits typical scenario of lost/scrambled keys. That is attempt to start with dead battery. How old is battery? When it was last checked for capacity?

 

[tabocat]

I think you are getting ripped off, better off to bring it back to the dealership as $1,000 is alot of money. If the keys have problem, you gonna have to get them to re-program them at the dealership with the proper equipment. For you to get your keys re-coded, you will need to show the dealership your driver license and insurance. I hope your mechanic knows what he is doing! From my experience, I have changed my battery three times now for my ML. That was the most common fix when it won't start.

 

[dbriggs]

I agree, get him to tell you "what exactly" the scan tool he is using is saying and write it down then post it back here. Sad thing is when "some mechanics" know a wife and kids are broke down out of town, they will sell you anything and usually the most expensive thing they can think of. It could have just been a dead battery . Another thing i have learned being a women dealing in situations like this, tell them or anyone working on your truck you want the parts that they "replace". this way they cant as easily tell you they have bought you a new part for 800.00 when they might not have bought anything but a battery. MY2CENTS

 

[NJMZ]

Thanks to All

However, they had him finish, as they were stuck 3 days.
The reciept says
DTC codes in the Engine control Module P0156,P1570 & P0161
DCT codes in AAM B1858,B1786, B1419 B1703 & B1783

replaced the DAS Module ...kept losing keys

DAS Module #163 545 91 32 $199 Labor $ 568

And...i have the old module 163 545 40 32 Seems to have slightly different # 40 vs 91

Comments???
And the worst thing is that I went to drive the car this morning as they came in last night...... and I have an engine light on with codes P0156 ( which I have seen 1 month back, but did not get around to ordering the sensor )
And code P1747 ( I will post this one in a new topic ).......something with the trans but my code sheet only shows P17xx as a trans issue!

But thanks again........It is just hard when they are out and there is no way to help.
Being stranded 3 days is bad enough.
I think the car with 135000 is getting to old for them to take far.......starting to act up on a regular basis.

 

[bikerider58]

And the worst thing is that I went to drive the car this morning as they came in last night...... and I have an engine light on with codes P0156 ( which I have seen 1 month back, but did not get around to ordering the sensor )

I think the car with 135000 is getting to old for them to take far.......starting to act up on a regular basis.

I'm glad that they made it back safely.

Even a new car with less than 1,000 miles will have problems on a long trip if you don't ensure it is ready. With an older vehicle proper maintenance is even more important.

You had a code and didn't fix it. What were the fluid levels and tire air pressures before they headed out? If you don't know; then I'd say you didn't prepare for the trip.