Regarding your $100K challenge: First off, I am NOT an MB person at all. I Actually DO NOT like any of there products, I do not own any of their products and I am NOT affiliated with MB, DCX, or Chrysler in any way whatsoever, however; You have challenged the automobile enthusiasts everywhere, and here is my reply.
Vehicle electrical electrical systems are not hard to diagnose, unless the problems are intermittent, however; a well trained technician can easily isolate these problems through a series of pinpoint tests. Sometimes we may use dry ice or a heat gun to simulate extreme heat or cold conditions, or an atomizer to simulate extreme moisture and condensation. A wiggle test is another way to test for intermittent opens or shorts. Electrical systems have proven over the past 20 years to be very dependable, and have made modern cars more reliable, and more efficient than ever before.
Quality control should not only have been up to MB but, the component manufacturers as well. MB is not the only company to use electronic components from outside suppliers. General Motors uses parts from Delphi, for instance, which are quality manufactured parts. Many Asian makes use parts from both Delphi and Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi electronics are quality parts too, in fact they are used in Chrysler products. Bottom line, it is not fair to fault MB for using electrical parts made outside MB. Sometimes it is necessary to do this to keep up with production demands. After all MB bought these part from these companies in good faith, assuming they would meet the quality specs which I'm sure were outlined well in advance.
Additionally, the statement you made regarding the ABS light seems a bit alarmist. When the ABS light is on it does indicate that a fault was detected and a trouble code stored in memory. It is true that the system will be deactivated, but that does not mean the vehicle is without brakes. In most cases you would not know the difference unless you were driving on extremely wet roads, icy roads, or dirt roads. Bottom line is the vehicle can still be driven, just be midfull the ABS feature is disabled and drive safely until you can have the vehicle serviced. As for the transmission not shifting properly, this will occur in cases where the ABS was deactivated due to a loss of vehicle wheel speed signal, as the PCM does not know what the vehicle speed is, so it will revert to fail safe mode.
MB has, as you have stated, spent great sums of money to reapir faulty systems. I feel that is more than other certain manufacturers (FORD) would do without a mandated recall.
As for selling the repurchased vehicles, it appears that they have been repaired before going to sale. If that is so than there is no crime in that. What used hasn't been repaired? Bottom line, buyer beware. When purchasing a used vehicle it is wise to take it to your regular technician or mechanic for an inspect. Most of them don't mind doing this and will give you an honest unbiased opinion that the seller can't offer. If you don't have a regular tech or the dealer/seller is your tech take the vehicle to a reputable ASE certified facility. It is worth the extra time to have a third party do a once over to uncover any problem undisclosed from the seller. In closing I believe I have met all your qualifications for the $100K reward. Please contact me as soon as possible to make payment. Thank You very much.
Vehicle electrical electrical systems are not hard to diagnose, unless the problems are intermittent, however; a well trained technician can easily isolate these problems through a series of pinpoint tests. Sometimes we may use dry ice or a heat gun to simulate extreme heat or cold conditions, or an atomizer to simulate extreme moisture and condensation. A wiggle test is another way to test for intermittent opens or shorts. Electrical systems have proven over the past 20 years to be very dependable, and have made modern cars more reliable, and more efficient than ever before.
Quality control should not only have been up to MB but, the component manufacturers as well. MB is not the only company to use electronic components from outside suppliers. General Motors uses parts from Delphi, for instance, which are quality manufactured parts. Many Asian makes use parts from both Delphi and Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi electronics are quality parts too, in fact they are used in Chrysler products. Bottom line, it is not fair to fault MB for using electrical parts made outside MB. Sometimes it is necessary to do this to keep up with production demands. After all MB bought these part from these companies in good faith, assuming they would meet the quality specs which I'm sure were outlined well in advance.
Additionally, the statement you made regarding the ABS light seems a bit alarmist. When the ABS light is on it does indicate that a fault was detected and a trouble code stored in memory. It is true that the system will be deactivated, but that does not mean the vehicle is without brakes. In most cases you would not know the difference unless you were driving on extremely wet roads, icy roads, or dirt roads. Bottom line is the vehicle can still be driven, just be midfull the ABS feature is disabled and drive safely until you can have the vehicle serviced. As for the transmission not shifting properly, this will occur in cases where the ABS was deactivated due to a loss of vehicle wheel speed signal, as the PCM does not know what the vehicle speed is, so it will revert to fail safe mode.
MB has, as you have stated, spent great sums of money to reapir faulty systems. I feel that is more than other certain manufacturers (FORD) would do without a mandated recall.
As for selling the repurchased vehicles, it appears that they have been repaired before going to sale. If that is so than there is no crime in that. What used hasn't been repaired? Bottom line, buyer beware. When purchasing a used vehicle it is wise to take it to your regular technician or mechanic for an inspect. Most of them don't mind doing this and will give you an honest unbiased opinion that the seller can't offer. If you don't have a regular tech or the dealer/seller is your tech take the vehicle to a reputable ASE certified facility. It is worth the extra time to have a third party do a once over to uncover any problem undisclosed from the seller. In closing I believe I have met all your qualifications for the $100K reward. Please contact me as soon as possible to make payment. Thank You very much.
Guide created: 06/12/07 (updated 08/25/08)
Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our 