ML Fuel Gauge prob. Possible fix!!!!!!
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Joined: Jun 2003
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ML Fuel Gauge prob. Possible fix!!!!!!
As i've seen far too many posts on this issue and read of far too many people just putting up with the problem i thought this info perhaps worthy of a new thread: Heres something i found trolling the forums...
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...threadid=69637
heres the short version
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I'm surprised no one has had a problem like this before There are a few wierd things going on with the fuel monitoring system on the ML's, at least for the last few years, Essentially what you have is a system that monitors the actual fuel level for only the first few liters of consumption out of the tank, using the traditional float method. after it used up a certain quantity of fuel, it would then STOP using the traditional method of fuel level monitoring and instead starts using the engine control module to calculate the amount of fuel being consumed and detracting that from the fuel level reading, what they call a "virtual calculation". One problem they were running in to was with people who wouldn't burn off that first quantity of fuel before filling up the tank again, so if for example you vehicle was set up to use the "actual reading" method for 10 liters, and you filled up after only using 9 liters, it would throw the whole thing out of whack, you may fill it up for example at that point and the gauge would mysteriously drop to "zero fuel". Ain't that neat?
The "real" fix is to disable this whole "virtual calculation" BS. It can be changed in the instrument cluster (with the MB shop computer, SDS) to operate only off of the actual fuel level sender, and it'll work great.
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I'm going in to my dealer armed with this info tomorrow (9th june '04) and will let you know how i go!
Jason
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...threadid=69637
heres the short version
------------------------------------------------
I'm surprised no one has had a problem like this before There are a few wierd things going on with the fuel monitoring system on the ML's, at least for the last few years, Essentially what you have is a system that monitors the actual fuel level for only the first few liters of consumption out of the tank, using the traditional float method. after it used up a certain quantity of fuel, it would then STOP using the traditional method of fuel level monitoring and instead starts using the engine control module to calculate the amount of fuel being consumed and detracting that from the fuel level reading, what they call a "virtual calculation". One problem they were running in to was with people who wouldn't burn off that first quantity of fuel before filling up the tank again, so if for example you vehicle was set up to use the "actual reading" method for 10 liters, and you filled up after only using 9 liters, it would throw the whole thing out of whack, you may fill it up for example at that point and the gauge would mysteriously drop to "zero fuel". Ain't that neat?
The "real" fix is to disable this whole "virtual calculation" BS. It can be changed in the instrument cluster (with the MB shop computer, SDS) to operate only off of the actual fuel level sender, and it'll work great.
------------------------------------------------
I'm going in to my dealer armed with this info tomorrow (9th june '04) and will let you know how i go!
Jason
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland
ML 270 CDI 2002
I had this done a few months ago (did write about it somewhere) MB reprogramed the system. It seems to be more accurate, though I wouldn't say it was perfect. When I fill the tank, for the first week the needle doesn't move, then I will lose 1/4 tank driving 30km to/fromwork. After that it seems very accurate. Occasionaly it still jumps.
To be honest I have had the problem for 2 years. MB know it exists. They will not admit it, so what can be done? I have taken it back about 6 times to the dealer who each time say they have changed something, but how many things are there to change?
I am not one to admit defeat likely, but it is part of what makes the ML the car it is!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be honest I have had the problem for 2 years. MB know it exists. They will not admit it, so what can be done? I have taken it back about 6 times to the dealer who each time say they have changed something, but how many things are there to change?
I am not one to admit defeat likely, but it is part of what makes the ML the car it is!!!!!!!!!!!!
