JohnnyGeek

I'd like to put my XM radio in my wife's 2001 ML320, but I'm pretty much convinced she'll never remember to unplug the power cord from the 12v socket. My Suburban automatically shuts the socket off after 15 minutes so the battery doesn't run down. Does the ML320 have a similar feature? Failing that, where's a good place to tap into ignition-on-only power? I looked under the dash, and there's not anything overtly apparent there.

Any help would be appreciated....


- JohnnyGeek

SL-ML-C

I have a 99 ml430 and i leave my valentine one plugged in , the radar detector shuts off when cars off and turns on when cars on. i assume it's the same on the 320! Hope that helps

-Erik

AsianML

In our '02 ML, we plug in the portable nav in it, and it never shuts off. I'm not sure if that's just a fault with our particular ML, or if thats the case with all of them.

AsianML

Wow, no kidding!!

SL-ML-C

Yeah, it may be a fault in my ML too, but I dont know. All i know is i never have to worry about it draining my batt at night, so i'd say, just plug it in and give it a try, MB may have changed that setup throughout the models/years.

-Erik

JohnnyGeek

Managed to download an owners manual - says the front and rear 12v sockets are always powered. Oh well....we'll have to tap into something.

Thanks anyways.

-JG

marcelc

The front and rear 12v sockets are always on until the battery voltage drops below a preset level, in which case they are switched off, this is to prevent the battery being drained to the point at which it will not start the engine.

These sockets being switched off for relatively small loads can be an early indicator that the battery has lost its capacity and will soon need replacement.