My 2002 ML500's transmission has recently acquired a mind of its own.

About 50% of the time it will only let me have First or Reverse at startup. HOWEVER, by parking the car, turning it off, and restarting it, if OFTEN (say 90% of the time) will start behaving normally. Sometimes I have to repeat this process several times to get it to wake up.

I've tried disconnecting the battery and reattaching it (with the idea that the computer was in need of resetting).

The car has a little over 65000 miles on it, and has had the B service.

Other problems (while we're at it):

Noisey fuel pump. Pump has just started making a loud whining sound (was very quiet prior to this). Checked the fuel cap, seems air tight. Fuel filter was replaced about 6000 miles ago (though with the maroons at the local dealer, this may not be a good thing). Noise is intermittent - more common after the truck has been warmed up and run for a while. No driveability issues (other than tranny issue noted above). Was there a recall for fuel pumps?

The Dolby audio head replacement (twice - the last one just before the end of the warranty) for volume fluctuations. This third one is now starting to demonstrate the same erratic behavior.

The truck went through 3 sets of pads in the first year (incl. originals of course), including resurfacing the rotors each time, with 1 set under warranty (Dealer insisted I pay for the third set as "normal wear and tear"). Next set wore out at 35,000 miles, Dealer installed another and warned me that new Rotors would be needed next time. I installed a set of MB pads myself at 50,000 miles, noted that the rotors were deeply worn - rotors WERE, indeed, almost worn out. Brakes ALWAYS squeaked by the way, day 1 until I lost patiance with Dealer.

I solved problem with new Brembo rotors, ERG green pads, and antisqueal compound when I installed new front brakes personally at 60,000 miles. First time the vehicle has not had noisey front brakes. I am about to repeat the process on the rears (which are, of course, still squealling at this time).

Common Issues I have personally fixed:

Coolant smell (rerouted overflow/vent hose with 18" extension - worked fine)

Washer fluid leak (epoxy fix)

Seat trim cracked (yelled at dealer until they fixed this problem for third time under warranty, now cracked again, now epoxied and ignored)

EGR valve and tube (trying to find parts - dealer says they are on backorder for last 2 months) Check Engine light now on. (Wonder if this has effect on fuel pump?)

Any help will be greatly appreciated. I am a moderately experienced mechanic, and having despaired of the lousey service at the dealers, I am now training up on ML's. I suspect the tranny has its own software/brain, and that it is losing its mind.

 

Common solution to solving the tranny problem is to change the fluid...

It's also a sign of the tranny going bad....

I'd change the fluid.

http://www.keysolutions.com/M-Class.nsf

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/lamb_02.jpg
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/ATF.jpg


http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...ht=color+money

http://4x4abc.com/ML320/ML_specsII_old.html
http://4x4abc.com/ML320/ML_specsII.html


This procedure resets the transmission ECU adaptive learning algorithm:

1. Turn the ignition key to the on (not start) position.
2. Press the gas pedal to the floor and hold for five seconds.
3. Turn the key to the "off" position (don't remove the key), then release the gas pedal.
4. Wait at least two minutes for ECU to reset.



http://www. pointedthree .com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=1523&posts=6&start=1

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http://www. pointedthree .com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=1570&posts=7&start=1

http://www. pointedthree. com/disc/forums/showthread.php?tid=1579&posts=5&start=1

 

Thanks so very much!

I will be changing out that tranny fluid soon, and examining its "color".

I can imagine the conversation with my dealer when I seek to buy some fluid...

Does anyone have a source to buy it other than the bozoes at my local dealer? I'm not sure I can keep my cool when they inevitably want to argue me out of actually touching the car myself...

 

my 163 is in for service, mainly because of a "service campaign" duno whats going on, and also very slow throttle response, as if i was driving a ML240 or something. doesnt feel like no V8 to me no more