GL Class (X164) 2007-2012: GL320CDI, GL420CDI, GL450, GL550

What is this missing connector?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Sep 2, 2021 | 02:17 AM
  #1  
NC_W477's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
W447
Question What is this missing connector?

Vehicle is a 2009 GL320 with the OM642 Bluetec motor. Everything is stock.

I completed some maintenance (seals, filter, etc.) and was doing a final check when I found a lonely connector. I've searched for a couple of hours and I cannot find a matching empty terminal/sensor. The connector is located on the passenger side near the middle of the engine. I am attaching a photo. Does anyone know where this connector should go?

Thank you in advance.

Where should home be for this engine connector?
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2021 | 04:58 AM
  #2  
Miguk_Saram's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 625
Likes: 82
From: Germantown, MD
'07 GL450
Don't have an answer for you however, from the photo, it does not appear to have been connected to anything (dust accumulated on the inside).

Inspect the connector housing and contacts for signs of actually having been connected to something. Look for scratch marks anywhere on the inside of the housing that would indicate something sliding in/out.

There are a number of "extra" connectors on my GL450 that do not attach to anything and are just kinda hanging around, the most obvious one is on the radiator fan harness.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2021 | 09:06 AM
  #3  
DennisG01's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
It's not uncommon to have unused connectors. Do you have any issues? Everything is working correctly? If yes, don't worry about it. But, as noted above, it looks like that plug has sat like that for a long time (probably since 2009).

However, it can only go so far - so if there's nothing around it to plug into, that furthers the idea that it's unused.

Trying to remember from memory, though... Is there anything with an empty plug on the fuel filter?

Last edited by DennisG01; Sep 2, 2021 at 09:15 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2021 | 11:38 AM
  #4  
NC_W477's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
W447
Originally Posted by Miguk_Saram
Don't have an answer for you however, from the photo, it does not appear to have been connected to anything (dust accumulated on the inside).

Inspect the connector housing and contacts for signs of actually having been connected to something. Look for scratch marks anywhere on the inside of the housing that would indicate something sliding in/out.

There are a number of "extra" connectors on my GL450 that do not attach to anything and are just kinda hanging around, the most obvious one is on the radiator fan harness.
Hi Miguk. That is a great suggestion of inspecting the connector housing to see if anything were ever attached. I'll check today, thank you for the response.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2021 | 11:45 AM
  #5  
NC_W477's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
W447
Originally Posted by DennisG01
It's not uncommon to have unused connectors. Do you have any issues? Everything is working correctly? If yes, don't worry about it. But, as noted above, it looks like that plug has sat like that for a long time (probably since 2009).

However, it can only go so far - so if there's nothing around it to plug into, that furthers the idea that it's unused.

Trying to remember from memory, though... Is there anything with an empty plug on the fuel filter?
Hi DennisG01. I have not attempted to start the vehicle because I feared a bevy of codes might be thrown because of the disconnected connector. I'll try starting the engine after I check the connector for signs of ever being connected.

I've checked the fuel filter many times although I can clearly see that the fuel filter connector is connected and that connector is much smaller than the connector that is detached. The detached connector may have been under the turbo pipe, but the three connectors for the swirl motor and runner positions are connected. Is there any other sensor under the turbo pipe?

Thanks for the reply!
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2021 | 11:48 AM
  #6  
NC_W477's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
W447
Originally Posted by DennisG01
It's not uncommon to have unused connectors. Do you have any issues? Everything is working correctly? If yes, don't worry about it. But, as noted above, it looks like that plug has sat like that for a long time (probably since 2009).

However, it can only go so far - so if there's nothing around it to plug into, that furthers the idea that it's unused.

Trying to remember from memory, though... Is there anything with an empty plug on the fuel filter?
Hi DennisG01. I have not attempted to start the vehicle because I feared a bevy of codes might be thrown because of the disconnected connector. I'll try starting the engine after I check the connector for signs of ever being connected.

I've checked the fuel filter many times although I can clearly see that the fuel filter connector is connected and that connector is much smaller than the connector that is detached. The detached connector may have been under the turbo pipe, but the three connectors for the swirl motor and runner positions are connected. Is there any other sensor under the turbo pipe?

Thanks for the reply!
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2021 | 12:15 PM
  #7  
DennisG01's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
It definitely doesn't look like it's been connected. Besides, you probably would have remembered unplugging it... which means it HASN'T been plugged in and you HAVEN'T been getting codes.

But... the only other thing I can think of off hand (and I'm not at my car to check what it looks like) is the little heater that is in the small rubber hose before the turbo intake. It's underneath the plastic intake and on the starboard side of the turbo. It comes from the PCV on the aft, starboard side of the valve cover.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:14 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE