tonyc6879

Today my 2000 ML320 had a major malfunction. Every light came and every gauge dropped to nothing and stayed there. Gas was fluctuating but that's it. Pulled over turned car off,started up didn't help. Slowly creep to my appointment. An hour later went to start it and no crank,all lights came on but wouldn't turn over. Detached battery @10min still nothing screwed around ckn fuses and relays no luck. Finally@30min screwing around it turned over. LIMP MODE it home. At Christmas time I replaced gear shifter,had water leaking from sunroof. After putting in the shifter no problems. Yesterday there was some moisture again but when it started the P was on the dash,I go to leave get to the corner and I realized it still saying P. Take it home detach battery wiped it down,used a blow dryer connected the battery everything is fine. Even today drove to 3different places @45miles no problems, but when I had to get the kids from school all craziness happens. . I usually just need to read some forum on here and I find my issue and fix the problem,but this evening I can't find anything that goes with my issue. ANYONE,EVERYONE PLEASE HELP. Also I drove@30miles in LIMP and the Odometer never moved!

Maj. Dundee

How did the moisture get on the shifter this most recent time?

You must understand that if the Transmission Module cannot recognize what gear it is in, it will shut everything down.

tonyc6879

Must be coming through the sunroof,it's dripping down where the rear view mirror. @thanksgiving I recaulked in the sunroof area,and cleaned out the return drains. Previous owner must of caulked the pipes that connected(overflow) line. Since then I never had an issue. Plus when I noticed it wet,and dried it. It was working fine for 1 1/2days.so I'm pretty sure it's ok.another thing when I was in limp mode b4 no brake, pad wear,oil,or low drive lights on. But Ystrdy all of them were on.

Maj. Dundee

tony, you have no alternative but to get another shifter mechanism. With the older ones you were able to take apart and repair them, but the newer ones you cannot.

You will also need to have all codes read and erased in the ECM and especially the Transmission Control Module, which have three digit codes. Even after a proper repair, if the codes are not erased you will remain in limp mode.

tonyc6879

I did get the codes cleared at Christmas time when I put the shifter in. But I figured it out and got her back going! Not exactly sure what the sensor I cleaned is called. But it was the 1 that is attached to the battery guard. I noticed that the medal clip was not in all the way on 1, side,I gave it alittle pull and it came apart. There was plenty of moisture in the connector, I dried it out, straightened the bend. In the clip,reconnected the battery and away we go. WHAT IS THAT SENSOR ACTUALLY CALLED?

Maj. Dundee

Take a photo and post it.