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ychung
Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2015
Location: SO CAL
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 ML350, 2008 S550
Posts: 196
| Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
Hello All Members,
I've just joined this forum, and I want to thank you all in advance and I'd like to get some advice on any and all preventive maintenance on 2004 G500, if there are anything that I might be missing for G500
I've swapped my Alfa Romeo with 2004 G500 which my friend was an original owner and she had done all services at Mercedes dealership from the beginning (she didn't keep any records).
Although it currently has 168,000 miles, I'd consider that it's in excellent condition inside and out.
Here are some things that I've done the last six months I've owned the car and your comments will be greatly appreciated.
1. I've replaced all fluids on front and rear differentials, transfer case, transmission and , obviously, engine oil.
2. I've replaced cabin filter, air filter, fuel filter, and battery(it was going bad)
3. I've cleaned MAF sensor and Throttle Body
4. I've replaced steering damper - Car was shaking pretty bad occasionally around 50 mph especially when it hit bump, I took a chance with steering damper and that fixed the issue!
5. I've replaced alarm siren - Key fob had stopped working on RF signal and only worked with IR signal on driver side door. I had almost ordered 'Remote Central Locking Antenna Amplifier' thinking that was it.
However, I've noticed the alarm wasn't going off when I manually unlocked the door with key and found out #9 fuse was blown. When I replaced with new fuse, it blew again.
Alarm siren and RF signal share the same fuse and when I unplugged the connector from alarm siren, key fob was working again with RF signal. It turns out that alarm siren wasn't working when I took the car and eventually, it was blowing #9 fuse.
6. I've replaced transfer case motor - My friend was driving with this issue of shifting HI to LO inadvertently and manually resetting it to HI
There were many threads on this issue and I took the advice of replacing the motor first but not the module. It's been six months and it's been perfect. I don't know if I'm going to need to replace the module eventually.
It's running perfect now without any issue and I'm going to replace sparkplugs and throttle position sensor since those wouldn't be that hard and won't take all day.
Again, I thank you all for great information in this forum and I hope that I can contribute to it too.
Thanks
Yong
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3006
| Re: 2004 G500
Hey Yong,
You've done a nice job hitting most of the high points. Nice work on the locks too.
Another common issue is the driver's door microswitch going bad, mine went out, but I never bothered fixing it and the G has since moved on.
The 2004 G500 is a great vehicle that should last 100K miles beyond your current mileage. I would recommend replacing the tensioner and idler pulleys on the front of the motor along with a new belt for good measure. G-wagenaccessories has aluminum replacement pulleys to replace the plastic pulleys that become degraded and fail. These are not perfect either as the bearings can go bad, but they are easily replaceable and cheap.
Other common issues occur with the throttle position sensor and crank position sensor, but absent any current issues with these, doing nothing right now is an appropriate plan. Just be mindful of the potential for these to fail and adversely affect the vehicle.
Edited by otiswesty 2/17/2016 2:35 PM
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ychung
Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2015
Location: SO CAL
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 ML350, 2008 S550
Posts: 196
| Re: 2004 G500
Hi Eric,
Speaking of driver door's microswitch, is that the cause of door lock knob not going up when I unlock the door with key fob?
It happened on me a few times when I unlock the door, only on driver side door, never had issue with locking it. It seems that electrical power is there but not enough force to push the knob up.
When I keep pushing the key fob, open and close, a few times then it opens. Is it going to fail eventually?
Thank you for your comment. |
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djdinaz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Arizona
Vehicle(s): 03 G55
Posts: 439
| Re: 2004 G500
is that the cause of door lock knob not going up when I unlock the door with key fob?
Short answer, no. A bad microswitch will display the 'door open' message in the display. What you're experiencing is a weak lock solenoid. My drivers door was doing the same thing, to the point where I'd unlock, and have to occasionally reach in through the rear passenger door and unlock the drivers door. Replaced the solenoid, and it's been fine ever since. |
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ychung
Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2015
Location: SO CAL
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 ML350, 2008 S550
Posts: 196
| Re: 2004 G500
Thanks a lot |
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J.R.
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Southern Maryland
Vehicle(s): 00 G500, 09 911 4S, 11 Cayenne S, 86 280GE (sold)
Posts: 828
| RE: Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
ychung - 2/17/2016 1:29 PM
...
4. I've replaced steering damper - Car was shaking pretty bad occasionally around 50 mph especially when it hit bump, I took a chance with steering damper and that fixed the issue!
More than likely the shaking is from the Wheels/tires. The dampener is hiding the real issue. I would recommend that you seek out a shop that has a Hunter Road Force balancing machine. One of the best road force jobs that I have ever had was from a high end race shop. Price was very reasonable.
Welcome to the forum! |
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ychung
Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2015
Location: SO CAL
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 ML350, 2008 S550
Posts: 196
| RE: Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
I've read about Hunter Road Force balancing machine, but since I don't have the same issue anymore I thought it was for something else.
I'll make sure to do the Hunter balancing down the line.
By the way, I've had the Cayenne too for 11 years which I loved it.
Thanks J.R.
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| RE: Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
Agreed. Properly sorted out the G will drive vibration free without the steering dampener.
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TD1
Member
Date registered: Apr 2015
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500 // 97 Disco
Posts: 22
| Re: Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
Depending on whether or not the window regulators have been fixed or not, I'd be prepared for what seems like an inevitable (at least for me) cracking sound and then window failing to close. I've replaced all four on my '04.
Hopefully your friend took care of this though. |
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Titus Pullo
Elite Veteran
Date registered: May 2007
Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Vehicle(s): '90 Wolf 240GD, '06 G270 CDI.
Posts: 1010
| Re: Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
I would replace the crankshaft position sensor - CPS. I dont know how they perform on 2004 models, but there were number of them going bad on '02. |
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ychung
Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2015
Location: SO CAL
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 ML350, 2008 S550
Posts: 196
| Re: Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
I'm planning to replace the throttle position sensor and the part# I've got from a Mercedes dealer is 0031532828
I think that part# is actually for crankshaft position sensor and I'm confused now.
Can someone please verify part# for both and the locations of them as well?
Thanks |
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Titus Pullo
Elite Veteran
Date registered: May 2007
Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Vehicle(s): '90 Wolf 240GD, '06 G270 CDI.
Posts: 1010
| Re: Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
Something else came to my mind in terms of the preventative maintenance - the serpentine belt tensioner and idler pulleys. I didnt mentioned them earlier as I simply forgot. However, they were changed on my '02 G500, together with the fan clutch, CPS, transfer case actuator motor and harness as a part of preventative maintenance.
Edited by Titus Pullo 2/19/2016 5:43 PM
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ychung
Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2015
Location: SO CAL
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 ML350, 2008 S550
Posts: 196
| Re: Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
I'm definitely going to replace the tensioner and idler pulley along with serpentine belt
However, I'm not sure yet if I'm going with Mercedes parts or the ones from G-wagenaccessories
Thanks for you comment.
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3006
| Re: Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
I would recommend the nice aluminum pulleys and keep a couple extra $3 bearings in your rear storage with the first aid and tool kits. |
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2000BEAST
Regular
Date registered: Jul 2010
Location: NOCAL USA
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500 / 2008 Carrera S / 2019 GLC 43
Posts: 83
| Re: Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
Also, be prepared to replace an occasional window lift mechanism - no big deal really once you've gone through the drill. And, also be prepared for BAS/ESP lights which usually mean its time to replace your brake light switch above your brake pedal.
Little stuff really if you plan on keeping your truck for any length of time - there's a ton of DIY content here... |
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ychung
Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2015
Location: SO CAL
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 ML350, 2008 S550
Posts: 196
| Re: Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
Hello all,
I've changed serpentine belt, tensioner pulley, idler pulley, and CPS over the weekend.
Due to trial and error as this being the fist time with belt and pulleys, it took me about 2 1/2 hours but I think I can do the same for one hour next time around.
Sorry guys, I didn't use the aluminum pulleys and I went with OEM parts from INA (I really wanted to get it done right away)
Existing parts didn't look that bad at all so I've kept them all for spare use in the future.
For serpentine belt, I've confirmed it with a Mercedes dealer since there were two different measurements, and I've got 2380 by Contitech
Existing belt was 2390, and I don't know how much of a difference between 2380 and 2390.
To change CPS, it took me about 15 minutes and I just let the torx bolt drop to floor since there was nothing in between to prevent it from free falling(I had a peace of mind dropping it since I had an extra bolt)
FYI, I've bought a Bosch CPS which I believe is a OEM part, for 4 times less than the one from MB dealer.
I think I'm done with the things that I can do myself, I'm going to have local shop do the coolant and break fluid flush soon.
Does any know dependable repair shops in Southern California?
Thanks |
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ILIAN
Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2014
Location: Boston MA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500 1999 CL500
Posts: 181
| Re: Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
I think the numbers on the belt are length in mm. The difference between those 2 is only 10mm which is why they would probably both be fine. |
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colsG55
Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2013
Location: Dubai
Vehicle(s): G55 Classic 2000, TD5 110, 200 Series Land Cruiser
Posts: 209
| Re: Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
This is the next job I would be looking at doing.
http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=17736&po...
With 168k on row clock & previous front end vibrations you might also be up for a set of front bushings, you may as well do the pan hard bushes at the same time.
http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=19350&st...
The last of my jobs is to re-grease the front CV joints, replace the boots if required & change the grease in the swivel housing. The old grease is now 16 years old & could probably do with a change even if the milage is not that high.
This is probably the best link related to the job.
http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=19242&po...
One of my front pulleys failed with only around 70 000km on the clock, both were replaced with alloy ones, I keep spare bearings onboard incase required.
Edited by colsG55 2/29/2016 10:47 PM
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ychung
Veteran
Date registered: Aug 2015
Location: SO CAL
Vehicle(s): 2004 G500, 2014 ML350, 2008 S550
Posts: 196
| Re: Preventive Maintenance on 2004 G500
Thank you for your recommendation!
Do you know the approx. cost for each of jobs that you mentioned |
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03bart
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: 2004 G500
I've had two of these fail: front passenger and rear passenger. I replaced the f passenger solenoid, but they're expensive! Now, I have to manually unlock the r passenger door because I haven't brought myself to replace that one yet. |
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