Transfer case motor stuck?
98 ML320 Flashing Low range
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 21
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ml320
ML320 98 Burning oil
hello everyone
first of all I want to thank everyone here for helping me diagnosing my Ml320/98,the Cat was replaced and that sure fixed my problem with loss of power and misfire in cylinders 4,5 and 6, as of the low range not engaging I found out was the break light switch and the problem was fixed after replacement!,
I was real happy for just a couple of days thinking my problems where solved!
But now the Mechanic just find out my Ml320/98 is burning to much oil at the rate of almost 1qt for every 300 miles,
,
I was told by an independent Benz Mechanic that my problem is on the cylinders rings, is a super expensive fix and for now I just keep adding oil,
I never realized the suv was burning that much oil cuz there is no warning light coming on!!, even when there is 1qt missing!!,
The mechanic told me there was a class A law suit back in 2003 and that MB took repairs for free on this matter,
I have owned this Ml320/98 for 5 years and always took good care of her,
always serviced on time and use mobil 1 0/40 synthetic oil,
I think the problem was that once up on a time they where using dino oil and that's why I'm having this nightmare now,
if anyone knows a way for me to get this done under the O'Keefe Class Action Settlement of 2003, Please let me know
I will really appreciate the help and advise!,
Ps: my Ml320/98 only have 80XXX miles it's been our road trip family car!.,
I love this Suv but is starting to be a real pain on my wallet!.
thanks everyone in advance!
first of all I want to thank everyone here for helping me diagnosing my Ml320/98,the Cat was replaced and that sure fixed my problem with loss of power and misfire in cylinders 4,5 and 6, as of the low range not engaging I found out was the break light switch and the problem was fixed after replacement!,
I was real happy for just a couple of days thinking my problems where solved!
But now the Mechanic just find out my Ml320/98 is burning to much oil at the rate of almost 1qt for every 300 miles,
, I was told by an independent Benz Mechanic that my problem is on the cylinders rings, is a super expensive fix and for now I just keep adding oil,
I never realized the suv was burning that much oil cuz there is no warning light coming on!!, even when there is 1qt missing!!,
The mechanic told me there was a class A law suit back in 2003 and that MB took repairs for free on this matter,
I have owned this Ml320/98 for 5 years and always took good care of her,
always serviced on time and use mobil 1 0/40 synthetic oil,
I think the problem was that once up on a time they where using dino oil and that's why I'm having this nightmare now,
if anyone knows a way for me to get this done under the O'Keefe Class Action Settlement of 2003, Please let me know
I will really appreciate the help and advise!,
Ps: my Ml320/98 only have 80XXX miles it's been our road trip family car!.,
I love this Suv but is starting to be a real pain on my wallet!.
thanks everyone in advance!
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
ml320
Ml320 98 high oil consuption
let me recap again, the Mechanic told me what needed to be done in order to fix the problem, He also told me that the rings went bad because of the excessive amount of sludge on the engine( you can actually see it on the oil cap!),I doubt this problem might be related to the Cat being bad! Once the Cat went bad the suv was Not drivable at all the engine loosed power making it impossible to drive the suv faster than 5-10mph!, and I replaced the cat a week or so after having the problem and didn't drove the suv till was fixed.
if you know something about this I will appreciate if you can pass the info,
thanks for your help in advance.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1
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Mercedes Benz ml 320
Super Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 504
Likes: 7
From: Harare, Zimbabwe
2003 ML55,2007 ML63
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4
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2004 ML350
Worked great for me!
What usually happens is the Low Range feature is rarely used and the motor becomes dormant and needs a little help to get started.
You will need two people to try this. Chock two wheels and set the emergency brake and follow instructions for activating the Low Range. With you under the truck, have someone push the switch and then you tap the motor a few times with a light hammer. This might have to be done a few times to get it going.
You will need two people to try this. Chock two wheels and set the emergency brake and follow instructions for activating the Low Range. With you under the truck, have someone push the switch and then you tap the motor a few times with a light hammer. This might have to be done a few times to get it going.
Newbie
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2004 Porsche Cayenne, 1998 Mercedes ML320, 2002 BMW X5
Simple test...
Hi everyone,
Thanks for the great info, it was really helpful.
I was troubleshooting for ETS warning and Low Range flashing/not engaging. It was the brake switch, but having the stop lamps working got me confused.
Brake switch has two circuits one operating the stop lamps (along with signaling ABS) and other signaling ABS only (inverted). Checking the stop lamp circuit is easily done by looking at the stop lamps working.
Other circuit can be tested: get in the car and press and hold the brake pedal, then put the key in ignition and start the car, note that the ETS warning is off, it will light up as soon as you release the brake, confirming that the other circuit is not working.
After fixing the switch both ETS and Low Range are working perfectly.
The transfer case motor can be tested before replacing as well. Just put the car on parking brake, shift to N, unplug the transfer case motor and power the motor wires with a car battery.
Position switches in the transfer case motor are very well sealed and unlikely to go bad. The Transfer case control module is also highly unlikely to go bad.
Thanks.
Thanks for the great info, it was really helpful.
I was troubleshooting for ETS warning and Low Range flashing/not engaging. It was the brake switch, but having the stop lamps working got me confused.
Brake switch has two circuits one operating the stop lamps (along with signaling ABS) and other signaling ABS only (inverted). Checking the stop lamp circuit is easily done by looking at the stop lamps working.
Other circuit can be tested: get in the car and press and hold the brake pedal, then put the key in ignition and start the car, note that the ETS warning is off, it will light up as soon as you release the brake, confirming that the other circuit is not working.
After fixing the switch both ETS and Low Range are working perfectly.
The transfer case motor can be tested before replacing as well. Just put the car on parking brake, shift to N, unplug the transfer case motor and power the motor wires with a car battery.
Position switches in the transfer case motor are very well sealed and unlikely to go bad. The Transfer case control module is also highly unlikely to go bad.
Thanks.
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Newbie
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1
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ml 320
low range light on and stuck in low gear
Hello everyone, l have a ML320 1998 and two days ago when l turn it on the low range light in the panel went on and got stuck in like 2nd gear. I can't go faster than 25 or 30 miles. Anyone knows how to solve this problem?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,107
Likes: 765
From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Whenever the Low Range is engaged and goes into Limp Mode, the engaging attempt has caused a problem in the transmission. This does not mean that you have a problem in the transmission.
You must have a scanner that can read ECM codes, namely P1831 or P0700 will be stored.
Then that same scanner must be able to read 3 digit codes stored in the ETC Module (Trans. Control Module), namely codes 041 and or 137.
Then you must clear the "P" code/s in the ECM and then you must clear the 3 digit codes in the ETC. If the Limp Mode is gone do not ever touch the Low Range switch again or you will go into Limp Mode again.
You must have a scanner that can read ECM codes, namely P1831 or P0700 will be stored.
Then that same scanner must be able to read 3 digit codes stored in the ETC Module (Trans. Control Module), namely codes 041 and or 137.
Then you must clear the "P" code/s in the ECM and then you must clear the 3 digit codes in the ETC. If the Limp Mode is gone do not ever touch the Low Range switch again or you will go into Limp Mode again.
