ESP Inoperative: nothing on steering column works
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
SOLVED: ESP Inoperative: nothing on steering column works
2010 ML 350. Recently, I've been getting this message intermittently. When I turned the car off then back on, it would go away for multiple days. Today, it seems to come on all the time.
Right before the message appears, the wiper makes one sweep of the windshield (despite the wipers being turned off completely). Once the message is displayed, none of the steering column-mounted controls work: Turn signals, high beams, steering wheel buttons, cruise control, shifter paddles. Even the gear shift lever doesn't work well. To get it into park, I have to hit the button multiple times.
Any thoughts on the fault? I've seen some posts about the battery being an issue. But wouldn't I notice the car struggling to start if the battery was going dead?
UPDATE 3/15/2018: This issue was solved by replacing the Steering Column Module.
Right before the message appears, the wiper makes one sweep of the windshield (despite the wipers being turned off completely). Once the message is displayed, none of the steering column-mounted controls work: Turn signals, high beams, steering wheel buttons, cruise control, shifter paddles. Even the gear shift lever doesn't work well. To get it into park, I have to hit the button multiple times.
Any thoughts on the fault? I've seen some posts about the battery being an issue. But wouldn't I notice the car struggling to start if the battery was going dead?
UPDATE 3/15/2018: This issue was solved by replacing the Steering Column Module.
Last edited by Eich; Mar 15, 2018 at 08:46 AM. Reason: Update to solved
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Thanks for the reply. The message appears after approximately 10 minutes of driving. First the wiper makes one pass on its own. Then the message. However, this morning, on the way to work (a 15-20 minute drive), the message didn't appear at all. Yesterday, it appeared regularly.
I've updated my CP but my original post has the correct information in it. 2010 ML 350.
I haven't checked the battery voltage yet. I just found out how to do that after some searching here. I'll check that this afternoon.
I've updated my CP but my original post has the correct information in it. 2010 ML 350.
I haven't checked the battery voltage yet. I just found out how to do that after some searching here. I'll check that this afternoon.
Last edited by Eich; Jan 11, 2018 at 09:27 AM.
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Yes I know you included that info in the body of the message, but when a thread goes past 10 pages, the person wanting to post info. has to go back to the first post to see what veh. you own. But you didn't indicate if it is gas or diesel.
You can bring the voltage reading with or w/o the eng. running through the Inst. Cluster menu or use a multimeter directly at the battery.
You can bring the voltage reading with or w/o the eng. running through the Inst. Cluster menu or use a multimeter directly at the battery.
Last edited by Maj. Dundee; Jan 11, 2018 at 09:59 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Sorry - my ML350 is Gas. I didn't realize that the 350 came in diesel (thought it was only a 320).
Am I correct that to bring up the voltage, you have to triple-click the reset button? I didn't see the voltage in any of the standard menus.
Am I correct that to bring up the voltage, you have to triple-click the reset button? I didn't see the voltage in any of the standard menus.
Last edited by Eich; Jan 11, 2018 at 10:22 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Here are all the models and look how confusing everything is when trying to help someone. Just add gas next to 350 in your profile.
As to bringing up the voltage, I have no idea what your owner's manual instructions are.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
I see! Didn't realize there were so many combinations, thanks! I've added 350 GAS to my profile and signature.
I purchased the car used back in August and I don't have the owner's manual but I'll look for it online.
I purchased the car used back in August and I don't have the owner's manual but I'll look for it online.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
OK - just went out at lunch and got the voltage display by triple-clicking the R button with the key in position one.
12.2 v with the car off
13.4 v when the car is first started
14.2 v after it's running a bit
13.0v when I first step on the gas
14.2 after I get past 15 mph
14.1 when I come to a stop light
Just after a short trip to the grocery store, I started the car and then the ESP inoperative message came up. I cleared the display and the same voltage readings came up. But this time, everything on the steering column seemed to work OK except for the cruise control.
12.2 v with the car off
13.4 v when the car is first started
14.2 v after it's running a bit
13.0v when I first step on the gas
14.2 after I get past 15 mph
14.1 when I come to a stop light
Just after a short trip to the grocery store, I started the car and then the ESP inoperative message came up. I cleared the display and the same voltage readings came up. But this time, everything on the steering column seemed to work OK except for the cruise control.
Last edited by Eich; Jan 11, 2018 at 01:07 PM.
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
I just drove the ML for about a week without any warnings but then it came back again this weekend. I scanned for codes today and found the following:
And again, when this occurs, non of the controls on the steering column work.
- L6/1 (left front speed sensor): Check installation position of sensor
- L6/3 (left rear speed sensor): Check installation position of sensor
- Check component: N49 (Steering Angle Sensor)
- Steering Angle Sensor is not initialized
- No CAN message was received from the control unit N80 (Steering column module)
- Speedtronic occassionally nonfunctional
And again, when this occurs, non of the controls on the steering column work.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
"ESP inoperative" is the message that always comes up in the driver information display. As well as the Yellow Triangle warning light. But no ABS light. Occasionally, I later see "DSR inoperative" as well.
It's really a bit dangerous when this happens as I have no turn signals, no horn, no high beams, no wipers. I've been leaving the wipers in the automatic position since they still work automatically when this occurs. But I'm not able to change anything from the steering column when this happens. And if I turn the car off and re-start at a traffic light, all warnings go away and the steering column controls work again until the next time this occurs.
It's really a bit dangerous when this happens as I have no turn signals, no horn, no high beams, no wipers. I've been leaving the wipers in the automatic position since they still work automatically when this occurs. But I'm not able to change anything from the steering column when this happens. And if I turn the car off and re-start at a traffic light, all warnings go away and the steering column controls work again until the next time this occurs.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Sorry - isn't my problem described in this thread? I'm not sure what more you're looking for exactly.
The poster above suggested that my "Steering Column Module" was going bad. I'd try replacing that if I could find the part number.
The poster above suggested that my "Steering Column Module" was going bad. I'd try replacing that if I could find the part number.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Not sure what you mean? You're not bothering me. You were offering advice at the beginning of the thread, which I appreciate. But I'm not sure why you're asking what problem I have or what I'm trying to replace now.
Is there something more you'd like me to specify? Clearly, you have a lot of experience on this board and have helped a lot of people. But what you're asking me now, I don't know how to respond to.
Is there something more you'd like me to specify? Clearly, you have a lot of experience on this board and have helped a lot of people. But what you're asking me now, I don't know how to respond to.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Maybe this is the part?
Control unit: 164-545-87-16-80 otherwise known as Position Sensor, Control Unit.
Control unit: 164-545-87-16-80 otherwise known as Position Sensor, Control Unit.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Yes, it could be that part but you should remove the module and have a look see as there might be other parts that are broken. That part has had 10 replaced by versions.
Here is a great video on how to remove that steering col. module.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
By the way, I cleared all the trouble codes and then drove the ML again until the "ESP Inoperative" message appeared again. I scanned again for codes and the only one that came up was:
"No CAN message was received from control unit N80 (Steering column module)."
I hope that the "Steering column module" is the part that I ordered "164-545-87-16-80 Position Sensor, Control Unit"
"No CAN message was received from control unit N80 (Steering column module)."
I hope that the "Steering column module" is the part that I ordered "164-545-87-16-80 Position Sensor, Control Unit"
