Help, pls. 98ML320 ECU

[Uncle Vinnie]

I need to ask for a bit of help in terms of advice...

RE: 98ML320..

Car will not start.... diagnosed by my mechanic who only does mercedes (he
has ML computer).. as ECU...

ECU is getting the signal from the DAS unit, but ECU is not releasing signal
to starter to start car. He can bridge it, and it will start....is there
any way around a $2,000 repair job other than junking the car??

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Thanks & B'rgds,

Uncle Vinnie

[Tiger]

I suggest you take it to MB dealer to have that fixed. I don't think it is
the ECU that is bad.

[Uncle Vinnie]

Hi, Tiger...

How've you been!

Here's where we're at:

It is indeed the ECU- what my mechanic (star) did was first, determine by
codes that it was the ECU. He then traced each wire and narrowed it down
that the ECU was not passing along the 'Ok' from the DAS unit, which took
hours.

It was sent out and is being rebuilt- the circuit was confirmed bad (faulty
transistors). I should be getting my repaired unit back, with lifetime
warranty, and no reprogramming/marrying since it is the original and the
eprom was untouched.

My moral, what I saved in getting the ECU repaired, is now most likely going
to my mechanic in terms of labor.

I don't know what one would pay for labor to install a new ECU (how long
does this take anyway?) but I have a suspicion that it's an easier job than
what it is being made out to be, and of course, that must also cover his
expertise and his MB computer...which of course he is entitled to...

My second Benz, there is never a painless way out!

Tiger wrote:
> I suggest you take it to MB dealer to have that fixed. I don't think
> it is the ECU that is bad.

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[Tiger]

Hi. I am doing good. It is good that everything is confirmed and at the
least you didn't buy a new ECU at rediculous price. Rebuild is always
cheaper and it seems like latest electronics are not as bulletproof as I
thought it would be... then again, I don't know the statistic of the later
models ECU being repaired.

It is always good to have some doubt... it keeps the mechanic honest.

[Uncle Vinnie]

Glad all is well!

I guess my mechanic wanted to absolutely isolate the ECU before comdeming
it... unfortunately tracing and testing each wire takes time...per the
company rebuilding it, they are known to fail... and rebuilding the original
is cheaper than getting new or rebuilt..

Funny, about the only thing electronic in my first car, a used 64 chevy, was
the radio!!

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