SILVER ML430

Hello, I recentley bought a ML430 there is a transmission problem with it. I would appreciate if anyone can help me on finding the problem. Okay well first of all the car always pulls forward even in PARK!!! and plus it always pulls forward in reverse and neutral and it doesn't let me to go into the 1,2,3 either It starts pulling at 2000 to 2500 rpm and barley even pulls and to add to that it makes a weird cracking noise when i push a little on the accelerator and attempts to pull. Does anyone know what could be wrong Please

timdf

but you probably suspected as much.

Best to be sure though - take it to a good indy and have it properly diagnosed.

Out of interest - how many miles on the tranny ?

aganzon

On my 99 ML430, my tranny went south at around 110K miles. Had to replace it.

Ausmbtech

With a problem like that there is nothing you can do without removing the transmission and opening it up to see what has failed. I would suggest you find an exchange unit and fit that. It'll be alot quicker and at least you know the cost upfront.

cmitch

Fluid analysis would go a long way, too. But, it sounds like it's toast.

SILVER ML430

Well, today i picked it up on a jack and went under the car and i am getting excessive noise from not the trans it-self but, the drivetrain or what ever it is called not the rear differential. Also I realized on the jack every time i would add some gas and the wheels were spinning the traction control signal would flash but im guessing that is because it was on a jack. The ml does have 141,000 but i find it hard to believe if the trans went then why am i getting a banging sound from the drivetrain

SILVER ML430

Also about the fluid when I bought the car the engine and transmission were soaked in oil so I cleaned it off and started the engine for a while and no fluid showed it looked like something exploded under their possible trans fluid anyway how should I check the trans fluid level

Ausmbtech

unless you had all four wheels off the ground while testing then the banging sound you're hearing may be pressure pulses in the brake lines due to traction control trying to get the vehilce going. The transfer case is bolted to the back of the gearbox, this almost never gives any trouble. Transmission failure on ML's isn't exactly uncommon, probably a bit more common than any other model fitted with a 722.6 except the C43, they all fail in a C43 at some point.

cmitch

But, transfer cases have been known to come apart, so it's a possibility your transfer case got toasted. All is guesswork if we're not seeing the truck.

00ML430 Bulldog

Just take it to a professional for a diagnosis. You are just wasting time crawling under there and don't know what your looking at or for.

STi_JL

Agreed, But i heard a myth from the ML post one time that same problem happen and before spending 5000 dollar he disconected the battery, and it seem to reset the tranny and everythig work well agian..

And the problem with your ml happen to my W203 thats why its RIP beside it hahaha...
but i just sold it cause MB wanted to charge me 10000 dollars to fix which is worth more than the car to sell Lol ..

but i would attemp the battery reset first.

Though it might not work, but 5minutes of your time to have a attempt to try a myth that can save over 2500dollar is worth it.

Stiggs

Your ML moves forward even when its in park? Did I read that right? That sounds like a big problem to me.

SILVER ML430

Yes, it does move slightly forward in every gear is their a way to check trans fluid with-out buying the tool

STi_JL

no offence buddy, but every mechanic, every installer or anyone you know that works on cars HATE to work on mercedes out of all...

the bolt are different, the screws are different, everything in the car is Different. its complicated, and its stupid.. even oil changes you pump it from the top and not drain it from the bottom.

im telling you, either take it to mercedes or take it to a authorized mechanic that works on german vehicals