Issues with acceleration

Tiny
SIRFALON
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,500 MILES
I was driving my car this evening and for the first time I noticed I had issues with acceleration. Then I noticed for the first time my "check engine light" come on and it stayed on until I parked vehicle. I had been driving the vehicle all day and there was no problem with acceleration. This occurred later in the evening on my way home. I noticed I had to push down on the gas pedal hard and it did not want to accelerate. It appeared hesitant and gave a delayed effect. This has never occurred before until tonight. Please advise what could be the problem and what I will need. Thanks
Tuesday, October 18th, 2016 AT 6:06 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,331 POSTS
The first step is always to have the diagnostic fault code(s) read and recorded. The people at many auto parts stores will do that for you for free. Those codes will indicate the circuit or system that needs further diagnosis. Be aware fault codes never say to replace a part or that one is bad.
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Tuesday, October 18th, 2016 AT 7:56 PM
Tiny
SIRFALON
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
What does the problem sound like? It was strange, I was driving all day and stopped to get gas before going home late in the evening when I noticed the problem.
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Tuesday, October 18th, 2016 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
SIRFALON
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I had never had any problems with acceleration delay prior to tonight. And no engine light had ever come on before.
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Tuesday, October 18th, 2016 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,331 POSTS
The same is true for every car. They all develop a problem sooner or later.

There are well over 2,000 different defects that can be detected by the Engine Computer, and each one will set a diagnostic fault code. You have to know the code numbers to know where to start looking.
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Tuesday, October 18th, 2016 AT 9:36 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Your car can go into limp mode which can be caused by many different things, read the codes so we can help you.

Here is a guide on how to do it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please let us know what you find so it will help others.

Best, Ken
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Wednesday, October 19th, 2016 AT 12:03 PM

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