ML280CDi W164 - Battery Drain
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 7
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Mercedes ML280CDi W124
ML280CDi W164 - Battery Drain
Hi all,
hope you'll be able to help me with my problem.
I have replaced 2 batteries during 3 months (VARTA DYNAMIC SILVER and VARTA AGM) - one day, suddenly I was not able to start the car even I've been using it evening before.
They checked all (consumption, fuses test, SAM modules, alternator) but everything looks like it's OK - any idea ? I don't want to be stucked somewhere sometime.
Thank you very very much!
hope you'll be able to help me with my problem.
I have replaced 2 batteries during 3 months (VARTA DYNAMIC SILVER and VARTA AGM) - one day, suddenly I was not able to start the car even I've been using it evening before.
They checked all (consumption, fuses test, SAM modules, alternator) but everything looks like it's OK - any idea ? I don't want to be stucked somewhere sometime.
Thank you very very much!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna, BC
'09 ML550
I don't like to disagree with another poster, but I would take your car to a dealer. The electronics in the ML are unbelievably complex and weird gremlins can strike at any time. Diagnosing them without the proper computer can be almost impossible. My ML's battery recently went flat overnight for no apparent reason. It turned out to be a glitch of some sort in the COMAND unit. The whole unit was replaced under warranty. I had the same thing happen about 18 months ago and it turned out to be a bad battery, also replaced under warranty. Search any of these forums and you'll find dozens of posts about strange electrical faults that appear and then seem to cure themselves, only to reappear months later.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 7
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Mercedes ML280CDi W124
thank you also for your reply; we've been trying all I found here on the forum ... and also in contact with original Mercedes Benz service here in Slovakia (with cooperation to Germany technics) - but apparently haven't found reason for now....I'll try to upgrade command today with v.12 navigation ....we never know...maybe it helps
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 625
Likes: 4
From: Australia
X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
I don't like to disagree with another poster, but I would take your car to a dealer.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 7
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Mercedes ML280CDi W124
hi guys, so they tried to disconnect power seats (both driver and passenger) but the consumption after locking car was high (0,3ampers)...today they'll try to disconnect fuses (one after another) to find out if the consumption dropps.....any other idea?
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 7
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Mercedes ML280CDi W124
Hi guys - we found out that the battery is drained by radio circuit - when I disconnect radio (china alternative of command www.klarheim.de ) the consumption drop .... any idea how to solve this?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 625
Likes: 4
From: Australia
X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
First is this radio still under warranty? Even if it is Chinese, you should not expect this if it is in a saleable condition. 
If the Klarheim folks don't accept a claim, throw it in the bin and search the wreckers or EBay for a genuine replacement.
If the Klarheim folks don't accept a claim, throw it in the bin and search the wreckers or EBay for a genuine replacement.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 625
Likes: 4
From: Australia
X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
What 500EUR for the radio that's crook, or for the ML without a radio?
You can survive for a month without a radio, whilst you get the radio repaired or replaced. Then enjoy your motoring.
You can survive for a month without a radio, whilst you get the radio repaired or replaced. Then enjoy your motoring.
Last edited by iankayem; Aug 8, 2012 at 09:35 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2017
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E350 2006
The problem is that on the original Comand NTG2.0 the ISO harness the B+ (Direct Battery Connection) and ACC (Power via ignition switch) are always on. The Unit will be continuously on and will not go to Standby as ACC is not switched off.
You have to source an ACC power source and modify the ISO harness adapter wiring of the aftermarket accordingly.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
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Mercedes ML280CDi W124
I know I am replying to an old post. I bought a second hand 06 ML500 and faced the same problem with.
The problem is that on the original Comand NTG2.0 the ISO harness the B+ (Direct Battery Connection) and ACC (Power via ignition switch) are always on. The Unit will be continuously on and will not go to Standby as ACC is not switched off.
You have to source an ACC power source and modify the ISO harness adapter wiring of the aftermarket accordingly.
The problem is that on the original Comand NTG2.0 the ISO harness the B+ (Direct Battery Connection) and ACC (Power via ignition switch) are always on. The Unit will be continuously on and will not go to Standby as ACC is not switched off.
You have to source an ACC power source and modify the ISO harness adapter wiring of the aftermarket accordingly.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
E350 2006
The attached picture is an example of an Aftermarket Navigation Unit. The wiring to the ISO harness might vary from one manufacturer to others.
Further the CANBus interface could also be the cause for the ACC be permanently available.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2020
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W202 C200 - W164 ML320 cdi - W211 E500
