Problem Reports
Problem with your car? See what our experts say or submit your own.
1999 Mercedes-Benz S320 Problems
Closing Assist/Door Lock Issues Due to Pneumatic System Problems
Problems with the pneumatic system can cause closing assist and door lock issues.
Glove box hinges, center console arm rest, and cup holders may break
Bad Switch/Blower Motor Resistor Assembly May Cause Inoperative Heater Blower Motor
Other than a defective motor, a bad switch or blower motor resistor assembly can cause an inoperative heater blower motor.
Electrical Issues Due to Degraded Engine Wiring Harness
The engine wiring can degrade because the insulating material falls off leaving the bare wire exposed. This can cause many problems depending on which wires are exposed and what they touch.
Squeaking/Worn Brake Pads May Require Rotor Replacement Also
The brakes may begin to squeak at about the 50 percent wear point. This is due to the size and material used for the brake pads and rotors. The brake rotor surfaces become uneven, causing a lip to form at the outer edge. This will generally require replacement of the rotors when the pads are worn (pad life varies depending on driving style and terrain).
Engine Oil and Coolant Leaks Resulting in Fulid Intermix
Internal and External engine oil & coolant leaks can develop from the head gasket and/or timing cover gasket; these leaks should be repaired before the engine oil and coolant intermix which can result in severe engine damage.
Rough running motor/lack of power due to failed ignition coil packs/spark plug resistors
Failed ignition coil packs or spark plug resistors can cause a rough running motor or lack of power.
Power Window May Fail Due to Window Regulator
One or more door windows may stop working due to a failed window regulator. Replacement of the failed regulator will be necessary to correct this concern.
Harsh Ride From Rear Due to Failed Dampening Actuator
Vehicles with automatic level control that ride harshly in the rear (no give in the suspension) may have one or both dampening actuators which have failed. It is commonly recommended the actuators be replaced in pairs.
Coolant Leak Due to Cracked/Broken Heater Core Outlet Housing
A cracked or broken heater core outlet housing can cause a coolant leak near the bulkhead (firewall). Our technicians remind us that coolant leaks should be repaired in order to avoid overheating the engine due to coolant loss.
High Usage Vehicles May Experience Ignition Lock and Tumbler Failures
Due to wear, high usage vehicles can experience ignition lock and tumbler failures. The ignition lock cylinder will generally require replacement to correct this concern.
Cracked Driveshaft Flex Discs May Cause Driveshaft Movement/Vibration
A vibration felt through the center floor of the vehicle can be caused by cracked and/or shredded driveshaft flex discs, resulting in excessive driveshaft movement. If not repaired, damage to the driveshaft center support bearing, transmission, or differential can occur.
Erratic Engine Operation and Poor Fuel Economy Due to Faulty Mass Air Flow Sensor
A faulty mass air flow (MAF) sensor can cause erratic/rough engine operation and fuel economy issues. Since this sensor measures the actual amount of air entering the motor, when it fails, the engine control module (ECM) takes the wrong information and delivers incorrect volumes of fuel to the cylinders.
Poor AC Performance Due to Refrigerant Loss
A refrigerant leak may develop from one or more of the following AC components: AC compressor, hose manifold for the compressor, or the evaporator core. The loss of refrigerant can cause poor AC performance. Our technicians tell us that proper leak diagnoses should be performed in order to determine the cause of any refrigerant loss.