2010 ML: Child lock not behaving as expected
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
2010 ML: Child lock not behaving as expected
On my 2010 ML350, I frequently have passengers in the rear who are unable to get out from the rear-right door. I've checked to be sure that the child lock switch is in the correct, unlocked, position.
Without driving the car, I've tested the switch in the locked position to see if it prevents me from opening the door from the inside and it seems to work. And also without driving the car, I've tested it in the lock position and it seems to work. But with the child lock in the unlocked position, and after driving, where the auto-lock system locks all the doors, when I come to a stop and turn off the car, passengers can't get out of the right, rear door. They are able to get out of the left-rear door just fine.
Am I doing something wrong or does the door lock actuator mechanism need to be replaced?
Without driving the car, I've tested the switch in the locked position to see if it prevents me from opening the door from the inside and it seems to work. And also without driving the car, I've tested it in the lock position and it seems to work. But with the child lock in the unlocked position, and after driving, where the auto-lock system locks all the doors, when I come to a stop and turn off the car, passengers can't get out of the right, rear door. They are able to get out of the left-rear door just fine.
Am I doing something wrong or does the door lock actuator mechanism need to be replaced?
Last edited by Eich; Oct 9, 2018 at 02:22 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Your explanation is a little confusing.
What happens if you pull up the door knob? Can you open the door from the inside or the outside door handle?
What happens if you use the key fob to unlock all doors?
What happens if you pull up the door knob? Can you open the door from the inside or the outside door handle?
What happens if you use the key fob to unlock all doors?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
However, if I use the unlock button on the driver's door panel, then the right-rear passenger CAN get out.
To me, it seems as if the right-rear door is ALWAYS in child lock mode, regardless of the position of the mechanical "Switch" on the door.
For now, I just disabled the auto-lock feature so that the car does not lock itself when I start driving. And now, the back doors are only locked when we're all out of the car.
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
According to the instructions, you should be able to open the door by pulling the outside door handle. Does it?
You should have the codes read with a scanner to narrow things down.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Yes, I am able to open the door by pulling the outside handle.
I'll check for codes. But my feeling at this point is that the mechanical child lock switch on the rear, right-side door just doesn't work and is always in child-lock mode, regardless of its position. The rear-left door works as you would expect.
I'll check for codes. But my feeling at this point is that the mechanical child lock switch on the rear, right-side door just doesn't work and is always in child-lock mode, regardless of its position. The rear-left door works as you would expect.
Last edited by Eich; Oct 11, 2018 at 09:06 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
I'm willing to bet that I do, indeed, need a right-rear door lock actuator assembly. I see no difference in behavior of the right-rear door, regardless of the position of the child lock switch.
But I will definitely check for codes first.
But I will definitely check for codes first.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
VIN: 4JGBB8GB5AA565151
I THINK the part number is: 1647303435 But it would be much appreciated if you could confirm!
I THINK the part number is: 1647303435 But it would be much appreciated if you could confirm!
Last edited by Eich; Oct 12, 2018 at 08:38 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,107
Likes: 765
From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
VIN: 4JGBB8GB5AA565151
I THINK the part number is: 1647303435 But it would be much appreciated if you could confirm!
I THINK the part number is: 1647303435 But it would be much appreciated if you could confirm!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
I sat inside the car with both rear doors having the Child Lock mechanical switch in the unlocked position.
TEST 1:
I locked the doors with the lock button on the driver's door panel. Then I unlocked them with the unlock button on the driver's door panel.
Result: Left-rear door will open from the inside. Right-rear door will ALSO open from the inside.
TEST 2:
I locked the doors with the key fob. Then I unlocked the doors with the key fob.
Result: Left-rear door will open from the inside. Right-rear door will NOT open from the inside. It will open from the outside.
Then I switched the child lock switch to the locked position on the right-rear door and did the same tests. Results were the same. I guess the driver's door panel unlock button overrides the child lock.
Electrically, things seem to work.. But the position of the child lock switch on the right-rear door seems to have no effect on its operation. It always behaves like it's locked.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Will do. Thanks again for your help. I've contacted a salvage yard to see if I can get a used one. I'm not going to pay USD $400+ for a new one. If I can't find one at a decent price (under $200), then I'll just live with it. By setting the car to never auto-lock the doors, I don't run into this issue.
