Low Gear Not Working?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 93
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From: Jacksonville, FL
2009 C350
Low Gear Not Working?
Ok I just purchased an '03 ML350, and followed the procedure in the owners manual to activate low gearing... when i press the button the LOW GEAR light flashes 4 times then does not stay lit... it also does not engage low gearing.... any ideas?
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From: Arizona
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Could be you have a bad motor, I have heard of a few people having bad ones. Does it make a sound at all, if it doesnt make a sound then it could be that the electrical cable from the motor came lost (I would say that is very unlikely) or the motor is just bad.
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Originally Posted by jorantes
I will look into it.. what should I be looking for to diagnose this? What are the cost of the parts, and is it a relatively easy fix???
If you are under warranty its free. But I am guessing your out since you are asking about parts. Not sure about the cost but I wouldn't try to mess with it anymore since it seems that most of the posts the motor fails after the low gear is engaged. But the part you want to call about is the transfer case motor. I haven't heard of anyone doing a DIY on it but you would have to get under the car and I am guessing it would take some time. But if you really want you can just leave it as is broken when you trade the car in they wont check it. I have done a few off road adventures in low traction surfaces such as mud and water ext. and I have tried using low gears but find no use for them, I think you are only supposed to use them for crossing water and when the gear is engaged you lose a lot of steering ability which makes it hard to drift and do doughnuts in the mud.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 93
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From: Jacksonville, FL
2009 C350
Ok, I am assuming it is the TRANSFER CASE MOTOR... because it flashes the LOW GEAR LIGHT on the cluster at start up, which from what I read is an indication of a bad TRANSFER CASE MOTOR. It also flashes when I click the LOW GEAR button but never actuates into low gear... What is the cheapest place to buy this part??? I would only like OE MB parts... is there an internet site or wholesale parts dealer anywhere? THANKS!!!
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From: Bay area - California
2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350
Originally Posted by AndrewAZ
I have done a few off road adventures in low traction surfaces such as mud and water ext. and I have tried using low gears but find no use for them, I think you are only supposed to use them for crossing water and when the gear is engaged you lose a lot of steering ability which makes it hard to drift and do doughnuts in the mud.
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2006
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From: Somerset, UK
ML270CDI
Originally Posted by jorantes
Ok I just purchased an '03 ML350, and followed the procedure in the owners manual to activate low gearing... when i press the button the LOW GEAR light flashes 4 times then does not stay lit... it also does not engage low gearing.... any ideas?
I had exactly the same problem on my 2002 ML, it was a bad electric motor, i obtained a used unit.
Very easy to fit, just unplug the connector and then undo 4 bolts and it slides of a shaft....about 15 minutes at the most to do the whole job.
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From: In A Van Down By The River
2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!
Originally Posted by jorantes
Ok, I am assuming it is the TRANSFER CASE MOTOR... because it flashes the LOW GEAR LIGHT on the cluster at start up, which from what I read is an indication of a bad TRANSFER CASE MOTOR. It also flashes when I click the LOW GEAR button but never actuates into low gear... What is the cheapest place to buy this part??? I would only like OE MB parts... is there an internet site or wholesale parts dealer anywhere? THANKS!!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 93
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville, FL
2009 C350
Thanks...! Is There Any Lights That Need To Be Reset, Codes Or Anything...? Reason Im Asking Is Bc I Can Easily Replace This Myself, But I Will Have The Dealer Do It If Any Computer Stuff Needs To Be Reset...??? Anything???
Thanks!!!
Thanks!!!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 398
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From: In A Van Down By The River
2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!
Originally Posted by jorantes
Thanks...! Is There Any Lights That Need To Be Reset, Codes Or Anything...? Reason Im Asking Is Bc I Can Easily Replace This Myself, But I Will Have The Dealer Do It If Any Computer Stuff Needs To Be Reset...??? Anything???
Thanks!!!
Thanks!!!
Junior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 29
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From: Somerset, UK
ML270CDI
Originally Posted by jorantes
Thanks...! Is There Any Lights That Need To Be Reset, Codes Or Anything...? Reason Im Asking Is Bc I Can Easily Replace This Myself, But I Will Have The Dealer Do It If Any Computer Stuff Needs To Be Reset...??? Anything???
Thanks!!!
Thanks!!!
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[QUOTE=alphonsohall]I had exactly the same problem on my 2002 ML, it was a bad electric motor, i obtained a used unit.
I also have the exact problem with my 02 ML.. can I ask where the electric motor is located so i can replace it?
I also have the exact problem with my 02 ML.. can I ask where the electric motor is located so i can replace it?
Junior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 29
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From: Somerset, UK
ML270CDI
[QUOTE=monsterinc714]
The motor is easily visible and is located on the extreme rear of the transfer case....you can see and access it without removing any underbody panels.......
Originally Posted by alphonsohall
I had exactly the same problem on my 2002 ML, it was a bad electric motor, i obtained a used unit.
I also have the exact problem with my 02 ML.. can I ask where the electric motor is located so i can replace it?
I also have the exact problem with my 02 ML.. can I ask where the electric motor is located so i can replace it?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 93
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville, FL
2009 C350
Ok... thanks to everyones responses... I took my car to the dealer, and had them look at it, and it was determined that the computer had to be reset... not sure why... my SA really didnt tell me much, other than it had to be reset... and that it may have been from the battery getting replaced (which sounded like BS) is this a common problem??? any ideas what it was...??? 
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WORKS PERFECT NOW...THANKS!!!
