Strange Alarm problem
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: England
ML270
Strange Alarm problem
Hoping someone on here has some experience with the problem on my ML.
The alarm will sound for no apparent reason, in the middle of the night, during the day etc.
The weather here in the UK has just started to get colder, that is the only change that has happened recently.
I have changed the main battery and the dealer has done a visual inspection and asked me to rebook for a fuller inspection, but I don't really want to do that as that would effectively give them a blank cheque.
The car is a 2003 ML270 that I have owned since new. 64k miles and the car has been totally reliable and really is part of the family. I love the car but I and my neighbours are being driven mad by it at the moment.
The alarm will sound for no apparent reason, in the middle of the night, during the day etc.
The weather here in the UK has just started to get colder, that is the only change that has happened recently.
I have changed the main battery and the dealer has done a visual inspection and asked me to rebook for a fuller inspection, but I don't really want to do that as that would effectively give them a blank cheque.
The car is a 2003 ML270 that I have owned since new. 64k miles and the car has been totally reliable and really is part of the family. I love the car but I and my neighbours are being driven mad by it at the moment.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: England
ML270
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
I do not believe that there is a sensitivity control on the alarm. Your problem is most likely the part of the alarm that is in the trip computer area and is either the tow away sensor or the glass breakage sensor. The only way you can tell for sure is to have your dealer interrogate the computer with the Star system and that will tell him exactly which sensor is triggering the alarm. Usually the only way to cure the problem is to replace the unit that contains the suspect sensor. If your dealer has not used the Star system he is either not an authorized MB dealer or he is not really trying to diagnose the probem.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: England
ML270
I do not believe that there is a sensitivity control on the alarm. Your problem is most likely the part of the alarm that is in the trip computer area and is either the tow away sensor or the glass breakage sensor. The only way you can tell for sure is to have your dealer interrogate the computer with the Star system and that will tell him exactly which sensor is triggering the alarm. Usually the only way to cure the problem is to replace the unit that contains the suspect sensor. If your dealer has not used the Star system he is either not an authorized MB dealer or he is not really trying to diagnose the probem.
Thanks for the advice, I will make sure I ask for the Star system diagnosis.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
If they were really attempting to find the problem the Star diagnosis should have been the first thing they did.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4
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Pkimber,
I started having the same exact problem that you are having and refuse to take it to the dealership and rip me off with the diagnosing and several trips. It is unlikely that they will be able to fix the problem on first try. I would be better off getting a new system installed aftermarket. I am sure I will spend less. Did you ever get the problem solved? Does anyone know how to disable the alarm all together yet still keeping the keyless entry/exit? I have a 2002 ML500 with over 100K miles.
I started having the same exact problem that you are having and refuse to take it to the dealership and rip me off with the diagnosing and several trips. It is unlikely that they will be able to fix the problem on first try. I would be better off getting a new system installed aftermarket. I am sure I will spend less. Did you ever get the problem solved? Does anyone know how to disable the alarm all together yet still keeping the keyless entry/exit? I have a 2002 ML500 with over 100K miles.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,107
Likes: 765
From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
This is a know issue with ML's and it is always attributed to the tow away sensor which is housed in the Trip computer module in the overhead console. (see pdf)
As a test you will have to disable the anti-tow and glass breakage sensors as per instructions in your owner's manual under the Antitheft Alarm System.
