Denadaen

Hey everybody,

My automatic ML320 (W163) has trouble passing gears lately. It goes pretty high in rpm before it shifts to next gear. Especially when the engin is cold. Theres a strange smell from under the car (not really in engin compartment) of something that heats up, though not like burnt rubber, but I'd almost say acidish- or sulfurish-like smell.

After a while all seems to work ok.

Today I also noticed that the manual shifting (semi automatic shifting?) doesn't work.

Although there's no cracking sounds or whatsoever and the car runs smooth.

Is this more like an electronic or a mechanical problem?

Thank you for your ideas and help,

Cheers, Den

khomer2

Den,

You need to have the codes read - Modules: ECM, Traction Control Module & Transmission control module.
Post here.

When was the last time you changed the tranny oil and filter?

Denadaen

Hi khomer,

I should go see my electrician mechanic for some readings before I can tell you any results.

I bought the car 9 months ago, drove about 4000kms with it and I've never changed the tranny oil, nor the filter. The car driven 155k total.

I thought tranny oil didn't ever had to be changed though on ml320.

Cheers Den

khomer2

I have ocean water front property for you - 100 acres with all under grounds services, sewer, water all in place.
Just off the Clark County Wetlands.
A steal of a price....for you...only $3kusd- one time, time limited offer.




Always DO fluid changes regardless when you buy a used car (if no true records of a fluid change)......

Denadaen

The car has been extremely well looked after, the service proofs that,been followed by MB garages all its life.

khomer2

If this is the scenario, then they should have the records showing any transmission oil and filter change.

Do a search on this topic - MB did at one time claim a no tranny oil filter change....that all changed in their service reports.

Denadaen

Ok, I will look for that,cheers.

Now I just came back from a ride this morning (live in Australia) and everything works as ever. As I said, it's not all the time. Couldn't it therefor be something electronic? Or the spark plugs, even though all cylinders seem to work properly?

There's something else that happens also... :

When engin (cold), at take-off, I give a certain amount of gas and it doesn't take off as it should (meaning for the amount of gas it should go faster) and then at once it spurts off like it takes at once the gas I asked for... This symptom seems very much related.

khomer2

It could be a whole plethora of issues. There is no point in speculating on all these symptoms until you have a scan perfomed.
For all we know, it could be as simple as a crack, clogged or displaced vacuum line. (which btw, with the age of our w163s, vacuum lines do crack and disintegrate without you knowing about it until you scan and "physically" check all lines...)

Denadaen

Ok, I'm gonna take care of that scan.

Can you tell me where the vacuum line(s) is/are so ill check them?

khomer2

Everything vacuum line under the hood my friend. Some my be brittle or cracked or both. Be fore-warned, it's time consuming ( I dont think many members state this fact....)
I recommend you take plenty of photos for reference before and after.
Inspect first, and prepare, in advance, having replacement lines.

EDIT:
No real good info on the lines but this should assist you > https://www.benzworld.org/threads/20...lease.1702084/

Denadaen

Allright, thank you so much for your help.
I'll update when I get to do all that.

Cheers, Den

Denadaen

And what could be the cause that the 'manual' shifting doesn't work anymore on my automatic ML?

khomer2

What do you mean when you say it does not work?

Do you mean you cannot move it into manual shift mode? Elaborate.

Denadaen

When I just normally drive in automatic mode and I push the lever to the manual shifting mode, the gears don't change. The numbers of the gears change on the dashboard, but it doesn't change gears in real.

khomer2

PRND are all mechanically actuated thru the shift linkage. Manual mode is electronic.
Remove the console trim and examined the trans module to see if you see anything unusual?

Denadaen

What is the console trim (stick shift?) and trans module and where can I find them?

khomer2

Does your shifter look like this? with the +- on the D indicator?

Denadaen

Yes, that's what it looks like.

khomer2

You will need to scan your TCM (trans control module and post any saved error codes.
LHD - TCM is located DS footwell just above the transmission tunnel at the firewall (shown in this video);

khomer2

How to remove centre console trim:

Denadaen

Thank you for all the good explanations. When I get to scan the module, I'll post here.
Can it be scanned as with the same tool as the scan which you have to plug under the steering wheel?

khomer2

Has to be a better scanner that can read the TCM. Not all scanners can do this.