Andrew Stedman

Hi there

When entering car I get a “vehicle not in position P” message on dash - however it was put in Park.

The car starts but then the direct selector on the steering column will not move the transmission into Drive or Reverse.

Releasing the parking break does nothing and the car doesn’t roll.

Essentially I can drive or move the vehicle.

Any ideas here? Is there a way to manually override and select drive?

i did just get the car registered and the mechanic replaced a rear left ABS sensor due to a warning light. I’m thinking we may need to replace both sides at once perhaps?

There are no other warning lights on the dash and the car is parked on a slight incline if that may be causing something to kick in.

Any thoughts or insights would be greatly appreciated.

texterted

You could try disconnecting the Aux battery. It's a pain as you have to remove the main battery to get at it. Leave it for a bit then reconnect.

Andrew Stedman

Many thanks, I’ll give it a go and report back!

lkchris

The sole purpose of the auxiliary battery is to run the shifter.

connecting and disconnecting might be fun, but if yours has never been replaced, it’s probably time.

Andrew Stedman

Many thanks for the responses.

I tracked down a new genuine aux battery and replaced it. Was a real pain to do as the big battery has to come out first and it’s all under the drivers seat!

Anyway, have checked all the terminals are connected but now the engine does not start. The power is on in the car, radio starts and electric chairs move etc but the engine now does not start up.

Any ideas as to what may be wrong.

I did have a mechanic connect the OBD scanner pre replacing the aux battery and the only error said there was a problem communicating with the aux battery so I assumed that was the issue but the new one doesn’t seem to have fixed anything unfortunately.

Im thinking I may just have to get it towed to the mechanic shop but any ideas greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Maj. Dundee

Check fuse #14 on the right side fuse box. Pull off door seal first.

Did you have the key in the ign. while removing the battery?

Andrew Stedman

Thanks for the quick reply.

Fuse 14 looks fine when I took it out.

The key was not in ignition when I replaced the battery. Is that a problem?

im thinking the main battery may need replacing too perhaps?

thanks for your help

Maj. Dundee

Yes, if the key is left in the ign. while removing or installing the battery, it could damage the key.

When removing a battery the negative cable is removed first and installed last.

Are you sure the cables on the main battery were tightened correctly?

Check the battery voltage on the battery post, then the voltage on the clamp and see if they are the same.

Andrew Stedman

Thanks, yes followed the right procedure as described for disconnecting and connecting the battery.

Main battery is definitely connected as we have power.

I don’t have a multi metre to test voltage but will get this checked as thinking it must be a battery issue.

Many thanks again

Maj. Dundee

If you take this to a repair shop your wallet will be empty. It's something simple.

Andrew Stedman

Ok will try and grab a voltage metre then to check.

Any benefit in trying to jump start it too?

thanks

Maj. Dundee

Because other components work does not mean that there is enough voltage to turn the starter.

You originally stated that the truck started but you couldn't get it out of gear. Remove both battery cables and tighten them again.

Maj. Dundee

Please UPDATE YOUR PROFILE in USER CP to include the year of your ML and where you live.

wannawagon

you could check the voltage via the dash

I think by memory it is put key in pos 2, go through the display option (steering wheel controls) until you get the mileage showing then press the r button on the cluster 3 times - it should show the voltage (provided my memory is right and that the glitch you have will let you get to that stage

do you get any message up on the screen? do you have 2 keys? was it the same key that wouldnt let you shift but allowed you to start?

Andrew Stedman

Hi everyone, thanks again for your help here.

Unfortunately the car is still not starting.

I had a mechanic come and look at the battery voltage. It was at 9V and we tried jump starting the car with a jumper pack and a similar size battery on my friends SUV but no joy.

I have just bought and installed a new battery at the suggestion of the mechanic. All connectors are on tight and I took off negative then positive and back again with negative last.

No change however, turning the key with foot on brake pedal does not start the engine. The display all works and I can hear the electrics when turning the key fully but no engine noise or starting.

Im at a bit of a loss now as to the next step here.

Interestingly, before I replaced the battery, I had to open the car doors manually and the electric seats stopped working so it seems like power is being drained while the car is sitting there.

Any ideas as to what else to try would be greatly appreciated. Otherwise I’m guessing I will need to tow the car somewhere to get it looked at more thoroughly.

Thanks again for your help!

Maj. Dundee

How did he test the main battery when he got this 9v?

Did he also check the voltage on the Aux. Battery?

Why aren't you doing these tests with a DVOM?

Andrew Stedman

The mechanic used a voltage metre to test the main battery. One of those gadgets with two probes and a metre reading.

He didn’t check the auxiliary as it was new.

Not sure what a DVOM is but the mechanic plugged in an OBD scanner that looked legit and it threw up a heap of faults. Almost too many that he believed it may not be reading properly with the battery low voltage.

When the first mechanic checked the auxiliary battery and disconnected it be also checked the car with an OBD scanner which looked the same. There was only a message that came up about aux battery communication but no other faults.

It seems strange that the car stopped starting just after the original auxiliary was disconnected and then hasn’t come back on since replacing both aux and main batteries.

Seems quite odd but I’m no mechanic!!

thanks

Maj. Dundee

You simply have to Google, what is a DVOM.

https://www.google.com/search?source...31.CHGxmrPdcyo

Of course you didn't ask for those codes, why didn't you? You must own your own scanner to check for codes.

Maj. Dundee

And by the way, you own a 2006 ML500, not a 2005.

Please UPDATE YOUR PROFILE in USER CP to change the year to 2006 or above.

Maj. Dundee

Check fuse #111 in the Eng. Compartment fuse box.

Also remove the connectors to the Aux. Batt. and see if they are properly inserted.

Andrew Stedman

Thanks, all the fuses are fine and specifically #111.

I disconnected and reconnected the auxiliary to ensure the connectors are inserted properly.

Interestingly the “vehicle is not in position P” now comes up again on the display but no other changes and engine still doesn’t start. Have tried both key and the push button.

Also, my car is registered as a 2005 model. Not sure why you think it’s a 2006 but all the paperwork and plates refer to 2005.

Thanks

Maj. Dundee

I

Also, my car is registered as a 2005 model. Not sure why you think it’s a 2006 but all the paperwork and plates refer to 2005.

The ML was produced after July 2005 which makes it a 2006.

Change the year please.

Maj. Dundee

Here is a photo of a 2005 ML. Does it look like yours?

Andrew Stedman

Update - My new Aurtel code reader arrived and there are three error or event codes appearing. Two clear when they’re erased and rescanned but one transmission related one remains:

”Component Y3/8s1 (Selection Range Sensor (VGS)) is not learned”

seems like a new part required for this? Does anyone have experience with this to comfirm?

The other two codes are

1. “The supply voltage to the control unit is too low (undervoltage”
2. The component or signal line to the component B48 (front passenger seat occupied and child seat recognition) has open circuit.

many thanks in advance

Maj. Dundee

Please do not provide photos of the codes as they are not upright and the code numbers are not visible.

Now post the code numbers and their description.