M-Class (W164) Produced 2006-2011: ML280CDI, ML320CDI, ML420CDI, ML350, ML500, ML550

Need serious help! Don't know where to start

Old Feb 9, 2020 | 08:50 PM
  #1  
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2006 w164 ML500
Need serious help! Don't know where to start

Hello everyone!

Just got my hands on a 2006 ML500 and its stuck. Can't get it to go into any gear, when it starts it idles really rough and there's a lot of smoke. I am getting messages vehicle not in park / drive to workshop without shifting gears.

On the Dash I have the following lights on:
ABS
SRS
EPC
CEL
Yellow ! Triangle
Red ! Circle

Also just bought a iCarsoft Diagnostic Tool and got the following codes:

P20CC-008 Rough Road Detection Signal (by comparing wheel speeds) : Speed signal from control module ESP unreasonable / read out Fault memory of controversial module ESP (p1999)

P203E-004 No CAN data from instrument cluster or message faulty. Communication fault / see also CAN state in freeze frame data (P0600)

P2036-004 No or incorrect CAN data from control module N47-5(ESP Control Module) Communication fault / see also CAN State in freeze frame date (P0600)

P207D-004 No or incorrect CAN data from control module N73(EIS [EZS] Control Module) Communication fault / see also CAN State in freeze frame date (P1999)

P2031-004 No or incorrect CAN data from control module N80(Steering Column Module) Communication fault / see also CAN State in freeze frame date (P1999)

Appreciate any help you can give me!
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Old Feb 10, 2020 | 07:05 AM
  #2  
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How long after you bought the car did these problems occur?

Is your scanner able to read all of the 25 modules?

These "P" codes are generated in the ECM which refer to other modules.
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Old Feb 10, 2020 | 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
How long after you bought the car did these problems occur?

Is your scanner able to read all of the 25 modules?

These "P" codes are generated in the ECM which refer to other modules.
Car supposedly had a leaking brake line. It was taken to a shop to get repaired and then dropped off to me. I tried to move the car after that and it got stuck in P. I did notice the carpets were wet if that helps in any way.

I believe it can read the separate modules. Just got the scanner yesterday I will play with it some more today.

thank you !
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Old Feb 10, 2020 | 10:24 AM
  #4  
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Why can't you be specific when answering questions? How long after you bought the car did these problems occur? What do you mean by supposedly there was a leaking brake line?

After the brake line repair, is that when you noticed that the mats (front or rear) were wet or were they wet after the the car was returned?

Last edited by Maj. Dundee; Feb 10, 2020 at 10:44 AM.
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Old Feb 10, 2020 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
Why can't you be specific when answering questions? How long after you bought the car did these problems occur? What do you mean by supposedly a a leaking brake line?

After the brake line repair, is that when you noticed that the mats (front or rear) were wet or were they wet after the the car was returned?
Sorry. So the car was given to me as a trade. It was given to me with these problems. Owner stated that the issue with the car stuck in park was due to the broken break line and loss of pressure. It was towed to a shop and brake issue was fixed and the car was working fine the day it was given to me. Left the car parked overnight, went to move it the next day and it reversed but when I went to put it in drive it went into neutral and got stuck. Now it is currently stuck in Park with these codes.

The front mats being wet seems to be from the sunroof being left open not from the shop. They were wet from the moment I got the car.
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Old Feb 10, 2020 | 11:31 AM
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So just got back to working on the car and I’m trying to check the individual modules and I’m getting an error message.

link error, please check:
1. If the vehicle is equipped with electronic control module
2. If the cable is connected correctly
3. if the key is Ignition On

Also did a voltage check and battery is reading 11.9v while off.
With key in it drops to 11.6v.
13.7v while idling.

hope this helps
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Old Feb 10, 2020 | 12:42 PM
  #7  
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What error message?

You bought yourself a problem. Under the driver's seat there are three control modules: Parktronic, Audio amp and the Central Gateway Module (CAN module). Since you are getting all CAN codes, the module must be looked at.

Under the right front seat is the battery, the Auxiliary Battery and the front SAM.

What other features in the vehicle have problems?

Last edited by Maj. Dundee; Feb 10, 2020 at 12:48 PM.
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Old Feb 10, 2020 | 03:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
What error message?

You bought yourself a problem. Under the driver's seat there are three control modules: Parktronic, Audio amp and the Central Gateway Module (CAN module). Since you are getting all CAN codes, the module must be looked at.

Under the right front seat is the battery, the Auxiliary Battery and the front SAM.

What other features in the vehicle have problems?
The error message on my scanner is:

link error, please check:
1. If the vehicle is equipped with electronic control module
2. If the cable is connected correctly
3. if the key is Ignition On

So I may have found the problem with this car. After taking the drivers seat out and lifting the carpet I found a puddle of water where the Amplifier and CAN Module are located. The radio not working was one of the problems with this car. If I purchase a CAN Module and Amplifier from eBay will it just be plug and play or will I need to have anything programed? Should this solve my issue with the car not going into any gears?

Thank you!
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Old Feb 11, 2020 | 02:57 AM
  #9  
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Replacing the two modules might work as plug & play, but usually they must be coded to your veh. as per step 15 in PDF.

The same theory goes for the other module. Understand that all the codes in every module must be deleted after installation.

Do not forget to remove the right front seat where the front SAM is where the two batteries are, along with a small fuse box. The Aux. Battery should be replaced and the entire flooring must must be aired out.
Attached Files
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R&I Central Gateway Unit #1.PDF (144.1 KB, 727 views)

Last edited by Maj. Dundee; Feb 15, 2020 at 08:09 AM. Reason: grammer
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Old Feb 18, 2020 | 06:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
Replacing the two modules might work as plug & play, but usually they must be coded to your veh. as per step 15 in PDF.

The same theory goes for the other module. Understand that all the codes in every module must be deleted after installation.

Do not forget to remove the right front seat where the front SAM is where the two batteries are, along with a small fuse box. The Aux. Battery should be replaced and the entire flooring must must be aired out.
So received the new module and installed it and it's now shifting into gears. Thank you!

Just have two issues remaining:
1) Still getting the same error code when I plug in the scanner.
2) The red wire that plugs into the module is broken and I don't know where to plug it in (The plug is full of corrosion and can't see where it goes.) Is there any place where I can find the diagram for this module?

Thanks again,
James
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Old Feb 19, 2020 | 03:29 AM
  #11  
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Here it is.
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WHIP (R) Printout.pdf (88.5 KB, 192 views)
File Type: pdf
Whip #2.pdf (55.0 KB, 146 views)
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Old Feb 21, 2020 | 06:42 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
Here it is.
Thank you!

So quick (not so good) update:

New Central Gateway was installed and car shifts into gears and runs much better.
New Amp was purchased and installed but radio still doesn't work. (it turns on and all functions work but get no sound.)

Also ran into another problem. Was trying to figure out the no sound issue and a buddy of mine suggested to unplug the battery to let everything reset. After doing that the whole car has pretty much died. Battery voltage dropped to about 7v and wont charge. The key wont wont even turn anymore. Ive been reading up on this for hours and can't find a solid answer to what could be wrong here or how to test anything.
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Old Feb 22, 2020 | 12:29 AM
  #13  
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When you disconnected the battery, was the key in the ignition.?

Did you check the negative cable is making good contact with the negative post?

Last edited by Maj. Dundee; Feb 22, 2020 at 12:33 AM.
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Old Feb 22, 2020 | 09:10 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
When you disconnected the battery, was the key in the ignition.?

Did you check the negative cable is making good contact with the negative post?
The key was not in ignition when I disconnected. I checked the battery multiple times and after charging it for over a day it would not go over 6.6v.
Went to auto zone and just purchased a new battery to see if that fixed everything and it almost did.

So currently:
All electronics are back on and working (Except the radio)
Keys work to lock and unlock and now turns.
Car cranks but does not start.

Any idea why could cause it to not start? checked all the fuses and everything is good.

I don't know if this is related or not but after unplugging the battery and the whole car dying on me my scanner also stopped working. Seems like everything in the memory car of the scanner has been erased (says not data stored in scanner check memory card.)

Thanks again!
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Old Feb 23, 2020 | 01:51 AM
  #15  
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After replacing the battery, why did unplug the battery again, my interpretation of what you wrote?
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Old Feb 23, 2020 | 02:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
After replacing the battery, why did unplug the battery again, my interpretation of what you wrote?
After changing the battery it has not been touched. Just stating that whatever happened when I unplugged the original battery might have even affected the scanner because it was plugged into the car at the time. i don't know if its related but just sharing that information.
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Old Feb 23, 2020 | 03:10 AM
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Your text is getting difficult to interpret.

What did you do about the corrosion on the connector to the CAN module?

Have you checked for codes again?
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Old Feb 23, 2020 | 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
Your text is getting difficult to interpret.

What did you do about the corrosion on the connector to the CAN module?

Have you checked for codes again?
Sorry about that.

So the CAN module was replaced as well as the plug connector and pins. After replacing these parts the car was starting and running much better. It also fixed my issue with it not shifting into gears.

After the battery was replaced I tried to check for codes but the scanner doesn't seem to work anymore as everything on it seems to have been erased when the original battery was unplugged. I will see if I can upload the files into the scanner again to get a better idea of what's going on.
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Old Feb 23, 2020 | 01:46 PM
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What scanner do you have and is it able to read all of the 25 different modules? If not, you are wasting your time.
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Old Feb 23, 2020 | 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
What scanner do you have and is it able to read all of the 25 different modules? If not, you are wasting your time.
Its the iCarsoft Auto M900 V2.0 Mercedes-Benz Diagnostic Scan Tool
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Old Feb 23, 2020 | 04:55 PM
  #21  
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But can it read all modules? A simple question and you passed it.
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Old Feb 23, 2020 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
But can it read all modules? A simple question and you passed it.
Yes it has the option to go into the different modules and read codes but it currently doesn’t work when connected to the car.
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Old Feb 24, 2020 | 04:46 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by JamesCh007
Yes it has the option to go into the different modules and read codes but it currently doesn’t work when connected to the car.
I tried to tell you about codes in other modules in post #2, "These "P" codes are generated in the ECM which refer to other modules" but you skipped that also.

See if you have blown the fuse in the scanner, if it has one.
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Old Feb 24, 2020 | 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
I tried to tell you about codes in other modules in post #2, "These "P" codes are generated in the ECM which refer to other modules" but you skipped that also.

See if you have blown the fuse in the scanner, if it has one.
Yes I read that part but the scanner wasn’t allowing me to read other codes in the modules. Going to update the scanner tomorrow to see if that helps.

Anyways after messing with some wires I got the car to start again. Only issue left is the audio not working. Radio turns on and all functions work but I get no sounds and doesn’t show volume going up or down when I use the knob or steering wheel controls. Any ideas on that?
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Old Feb 25, 2020 | 01:45 AM
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Look at your scanner user manual and find out how to check for codes in all modules at the same time. Then store them in the scanner.

Then post those codes according to what module they were stored in.
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