W164 - Where are Glow Plugs in Photo
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
I think you have to dig further for the glow plugs, but the controller (not a relay) is here:
What is the problem you are having?
What is the problem you are having?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
ML300 CDI
Glow Plug Problems
The glow plug light is staying on for approx 45 seconds from cold start.
As I understand it the plugs or the controller are at fault.
I need to get at the glow plugs to test the resistance but need to locate them and access the top of them to test.
I think you are right they are buried. Any ideas what the items are in the photo below?
What are items 1 & 2?
How are items 1 to 6 removed?
Is there any liquid in items 3 & 4?
As I understand it the plugs or the controller are at fault.
I need to get at the glow plugs to test the resistance but need to locate them and access the top of them to test.
I think you are right they are buried. Any ideas what the items are in the photo below?
What are items 1 & 2?
How are items 1 to 6 removed?
Is there any liquid in items 3 & 4?
Last edited by pablo123; Feb 19, 2015 at 06:25 AM. Reason: published too early
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
The glow plug light is staying on for approx 45 seconds from cold start.
As I understand it the plugs or the controller are at fault.
I need to get at the glow plugs to test the resistance but need to locate them and access the top of them to test.
I think you are right they are buried. Any ideas what the items are in the photo below?
What are items 1 & 2?
How are items 1 to 6 removed?
Is there any liquid in items 3 & 4?
Attachment 304236
As I understand it the plugs or the controller are at fault.
I need to get at the glow plugs to test the resistance but need to locate them and access the top of them to test.
I think you are right they are buried. Any ideas what the items are in the photo below?
What are items 1 & 2?
How are items 1 to 6 removed?
Is there any liquid in items 3 & 4?
Attachment 304236
Do you have a check engine light?
Does it start OK?
The controller should report any errors unless it is dead, and in that case the ECU should report the error.
How cold is it? 45 seconds seems long, but time it because people guess time poorly.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
ML300 CDI
Hi
I have the yellow curly light on instrument dash.
Starts perfectly fine and yes it does stay on for 45 seconds only when started after car left overnight or for long periods of being stationary 8hrs.
Light does not stay on when starting for up after engine has been running only on first or long period of standing.
Australia is warm 20 to 30+ deg at present.
How do I check errors I do not have a star diagnostic unit?
I have the yellow curly light on instrument dash.
Starts perfectly fine and yes it does stay on for 45 seconds only when started after car left overnight or for long periods of being stationary 8hrs.
Light does not stay on when starting for up after engine has been running only on first or long period of standing.
Australia is warm 20 to 30+ deg at present.
How do I check errors I do not have a star diagnostic unit?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
Most glow plug errors show up on a normal ODB reader.
Are you saying the glow plug light stays on after the car starts, or it sits for 45 seconds then starts to crank?
Are you saying the glow plug light stays on after the car starts, or it sits for 45 seconds then starts to crank?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
ML300 CDI
Hi,
Which ODB unit is the best for the W164 to show codes etc?
The car start no problem at all.......the yellow glow plug light on instrument dash stays on for approx 45-60 seconds.
How do I test the glow plug control unit to see it is that?
Anyone else replaced glow plug or control unit on W164?
If so how did you do you get to the glow plugs?
Thanks
Which ODB unit is the best for the W164 to show codes etc?
The car start no problem at all.......the yellow glow plug light on instrument dash stays on for approx 45-60 seconds.
How do I test the glow plug control unit to see it is that?
Anyone else replaced glow plug or control unit on W164?
If so how did you do you get to the glow plugs?
Thanks
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
ML300 CDI
Hi,
Sorry to be clear I am referring to the yellow indicator on the instrument dash.
I insert key to position 1 the yellow glow plug indicator comes on for a couple of seconds and then goes off. (This is normal)
When I turn the key to position 2, the engine starts fine but the yellow glow plug indicator stays lit for 45 - 60 seconds and then goes off. (This is not normal)
I need to know if it is the glow plugs or control unit that is buggered
I am also in Qld.
No one has given any guidance on how to access the top of the glow plugs I therefore cannot check the resistance of each glow plug (Surely someone has done this ;-) )
Anyone.....how can I get to read Glow Plug and control unit error codes? DIY?
Thanks
Sorry to be clear I am referring to the yellow indicator on the instrument dash.
I insert key to position 1 the yellow glow plug indicator comes on for a couple of seconds and then goes off. (This is normal)
When I turn the key to position 2, the engine starts fine but the yellow glow plug indicator stays lit for 45 - 60 seconds and then goes off. (This is not normal)
I need to know if it is the glow plugs or control unit that is buggered
I am also in Qld.
No one has given any guidance on how to access the top of the glow plugs I therefore cannot check the resistance of each glow plug (Surely someone has done this ;-) )
Anyone.....how can I get to read Glow Plug and control unit error codes? DIY?
Thanks
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
I replaced my controller due to a CEL (The glow pug light was staying on a few extra seconds after the car started, but I did not know that was odd since I got the car with the CEL on.)
A cheapo ODB reader told me it was the controller.
A cheapo ODB reader told me it was the controller.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
ML300 CDI
Thanks
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 205
Likes: 21
From: Florida & North Carolina
2008 ML320CDI 4Matic, 2006 C350
@pablo123 - I had the exact situation with mine. My indie shop has a former Mercedes Benz Master Tech. He tested all the glow plugs and all were good. He told me 9 times out of 10 in his experience the culprit is the glow plug module.
That part has been redesigned - possibly to correct some short comings. He changed it out and problem fixed.
This thread will provide additional info for you:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w164...-glo-plug.html
The last entry shows the old and new glow plug module.
That part has been redesigned - possibly to correct some short comings. He changed it out and problem fixed.
This thread will provide additional info for you:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w164...-glo-plug.html
The last entry shows the old and new glow plug module.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
ML300 CDI
@pablo123 - I had the exact situation with mine. My indie shop has a former Mercedes Benz Master Tech. He tested all the glow plugs and all were good. He told me 9 times out of 10 in his experience the culprit is the glow plug module.
That part has been redesigned - possibly to correct some short comings. He changed it out and problem fixed.
This thread will provide additional info for you:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w164...-glo-plug.html
The last entry shows the old and new glow plug module.
That part has been redesigned - possibly to correct some short comings. He changed it out and problem fixed.
This thread will provide additional info for you:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w164...-glo-plug.html
The last entry shows the old and new glow plug module.
Thanks
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,516
Likes: 628
From: Charlotte NC area
2019 WS222 S450 4-Matic / 2007 W211 E350 4Matic (Sold) / 2008 X164 GL320 CDI
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Error 2136-4 open circuit
Hello, I have a Mercedes ML 320 cdi from the year 2007 (W164) with the error 2136-4 open circuit. I have changed the heater 4 for an original Mercedes one and the heater relay for an updated one of the Beru GS114 brand.
I still can't remove the fault. I have checked the continuity of channel 4 and it is ok.
Do you know how to solve this case?
Thank you very much in advance.
I still can't remove the fault. I have checked the continuity of channel 4 and it is ok.
Do you know how to solve this case?
Thank you very much in advance.
Last edited by Mlw164; Apr 25, 2026 at 08:41 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Solution to error 2136-4
In the end the error came from the fat that they had changed the location of the connectors. Connector 4 was not in the location it should be. Some mechanic made the mistake of not placing it in its correct location.
