Touch Shift Steering Wheel Controls
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 18
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2007 ML320 CDI
Touch Shift Steering Wheel Controls
2007 ML320 CDI... the touch shifters on the steering wheel appear to be disabled, possibly by the previous owner. I would like to be able to select gear ranges as we have some very long twisty mountain roads and using brakes alone will most likely overheat the rotors.
Is there a scan tool out there that allows you to check and change this setting? I'm hesitant to take it to the dealer as I'm afraid it will be in the hundreds of dollars just to get them to plug in the scan tool to check, and I don't even know if that is the problem or not.
I've checked all the fuses, and can't find any that are blown. Shifting is fine otherwise. Steering wheel controls all work.
Only other electrical issue I'm seeing is the cigarette lighter plug in the tray under the radio doesn't work...no power at the fuse, so not sure what is going on with that, but likely unrelated. (the other outlets all work)
Is there a scan tool out there that allows you to check and change this setting? I'm hesitant to take it to the dealer as I'm afraid it will be in the hundreds of dollars just to get them to plug in the scan tool to check, and I don't even know if that is the problem or not.
I've checked all the fuses, and can't find any that are blown. Shifting is fine otherwise. Steering wheel controls all work.
Only other electrical issue I'm seeing is the cigarette lighter plug in the tray under the radio doesn't work...no power at the fuse, so not sure what is going on with that, but likely unrelated. (the other outlets all work)
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 543
Likes: 191
W221 S500
2007 ML320 CDI... the touch shifters on the steering wheel appear to be disabled, possibly by the previous owner. I would like to be able to select gear ranges as we have some very long twisty mountain roads and using brakes alone will most likely overheat the rotors.
Is there a scan tool out there that allows you to check and change this setting? I'm hesitant to take it to the dealer as I'm afraid it will be in the hundreds of dollars just to get them to plug in the scan tool to check, and I don't even know if that is the problem or not.
I've checked all the fuses, and can't find any that are blown. Shifting is fine otherwise. Steering wheel controls all work.
Only other electrical issue I'm seeing is the cigarette lighter plug in the tray under the radio doesn't work...no power at the fuse, so not sure what is going on with that, but likely unrelated. (the other outlets all work)
Is there a scan tool out there that allows you to check and change this setting? I'm hesitant to take it to the dealer as I'm afraid it will be in the hundreds of dollars just to get them to plug in the scan tool to check, and I don't even know if that is the problem or not.
I've checked all the fuses, and can't find any that are blown. Shifting is fine otherwise. Steering wheel controls all work.
Only other electrical issue I'm seeing is the cigarette lighter plug in the tray under the radio doesn't work...no power at the fuse, so not sure what is going on with that, but likely unrelated. (the other outlets all work)
You'll need Xentry or DAS if it is a switchable item.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 543
Likes: 191
W221 S500
Right...
Basically you need to press the downshift button to get into manual mode.
The upshift button does nothing until you've pressed the down shift button.
Once in manual mode you can shift up/down as you wish, but once you shift up from D6, it goes back into D. You then need to manually downshift again to get into manual mode.
Attached is a video demonstrating how it works. Note that this is whilst stationary... So you should easily be able to test yours easily enough😉
When driving, it picks up the most appropriate gear to begin manual mode.
Basically you need to press the downshift button to get into manual mode.
The upshift button does nothing until you've pressed the down shift button.
Once in manual mode you can shift up/down as you wish, but once you shift up from D6, it goes back into D. You then need to manually downshift again to get into manual mode.
Attached is a video demonstrating how it works. Note that this is whilst stationary... So you should easily be able to test yours easily enough😉
When driving, it picks up the most appropriate gear to begin manual mode.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 18
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2007 ML320 CDI
Hmmm, that is helpful thank you.
I tried this and yeah nothing happens when you press the downshift, nothing in the display. I'm still wondering if it's been disabled by the dealer, or if something might be unplugged under the dash.
I tried this and yeah nothing happens when you press the downshift, nothing in the display. I'm still wondering if it's been disabled by the dealer, or if something might be unplugged under the dash.
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 815
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From: USA
04 E55, 06 E55, 05 G55, 14 E63s, 12 cls63
Something iv seen done in the past. Previous owner may have had kids who wanted to drive a cool car and use paddles. Iv seen parents physically disconnect the paddle shifters behind the airbag.
maybe yours is the same. Just disconnected
maybe yours is the same. Just disconnected
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 543
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W221 S500
It's possible that the ISM or TCM has been replaced and been misprogrammed... Or there's a wiring issue between the switches, clock spring and SCM. This may simply be that they're unplugged as suggested or they have had something spilled on them🤔
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Thread Starter
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2007 ML320 CDI
I'm beginning to wonder if something is indeed unplugged...this could explain the cig lighter plug in the tray being dead as well (no voltage on the fuse in the back either, which I find strange) There is voltage going to the little bulb in the tray, but after removing the tray I don't see an easy way to replace that bulb, so I'm just going to leave it alone.
For the steering wheel connectors, where would I look for this... I'm a bit nervous working around airbags...is this something under the dash, or in the steering wheel itself. Will take a look at the software (have to run it on an old laptop) to see if it sheds any more light on this.
For the steering wheel connectors, where would I look for this... I'm a bit nervous working around airbags...is this something under the dash, or in the steering wheel itself. Will take a look at the software (have to run it on an old laptop) to see if it sheds any more light on this.
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 543
Likes: 191
W221 S500
I'm beginning to wonder if something is indeed unplugged...this could explain the cig lighter plug in the tray being dead as well (no voltage on the fuse in the back either, which I find strange) There is voltage going to the little bulb in the tray, but after removing the tray I don't see an easy way to replace that bulb, so I'm just going to leave it alone.
For the steering wheel connectors, where would I look for this... I'm a bit nervous working around airbags...is this something under the dash, or in the steering wheel itself. Will take a look at the software (have to run it on an old laptop) to see if it sheds any more light on this.
For the steering wheel connectors, where would I look for this... I'm a bit nervous working around airbags...is this something under the dash, or in the steering wheel itself. Will take a look at the software (have to run it on an old laptop) to see if it sheds any more light on this.
That said, it may also be possible to remove the switches on the front of the wheel without disturbing the airbag, which might give enough visibility to see what's what... Have a look at the various wheels listed on eBay along with the radio/trip controls and it should make some sort of sense... sense
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2007 ML320 CDI
It looks like there are two screws on the back of the steering wheel that hold the horn . airbag module. I'm nervous removing this with the battery connected. Tried looking at disconnecting the negative battery terminal...cripes...I don't think I can get in there without removing the front seat! Hoping there is a fuse I can pull or something instead. Looks like the auxiliary battery might be original as well, but cannot see a date on it. Hmmm.
Last edited by Raq; Apr 2, 2026 at 05:45 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 543
Likes: 191
W221 S500
It looks like there are two screws on the back of the steering wheel that hold the horn . airbag module. I'm nervous removing this with the battery connected. Tried looking at disconnecting the negative battery terminal...cripes...I don't think I can get in there without removing the front seat! Hoping there is a fuse I can pull or something instead. Looks like the auxiliary battery might be original as well, but cannot see a date on it. Hmmm.
Technically you can do it without disconnecting anything, but best case you'll set a code... Worst case...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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2007 ML320 CDI
OK so good news. I disconnected the battery last night, checked all the wiring under the steering wheel cover, it all looked good but I disconnected the two paddle shift connectors and cleaned them with contact cleaner anyway since I was in there, put it all back together and let the vehicle sit overnight with the battery disconnected. Reconnected everything this morning did the reset song and dance, and the paddle buttons are now working again!
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I am wondering if it was just the computer being confused, possibly from a low battery or lack of doing the calibration routine from the previous owner when power was reconnected.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I am wondering if it was just the computer being confused, possibly from a low battery or lack of doing the calibration routine from the previous owner when power was reconnected.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 543
Likes: 191
W221 S500
OK so good news. I disconnected the battery last night, checked all the wiring under the steering wheel cover, it all looked good but I disconnected the two paddle shift connectors and cleaned them with contact cleaner anyway since I was in there, put it all back together and let the vehicle sit overnight with the battery disconnected. Reconnected everything this morning did the reset song and dance, and the paddle buttons are now working again!
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I am wondering if it was just the computer being confused, possibly from a low battery or lack of doing the calibration routine from the previous owner when power was reconnected.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I am wondering if it was just the computer being confused, possibly from a low battery or lack of doing the calibration routine from the previous owner when power was reconnected.
Do they function in a similar fashion to my video?
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 815
Likes: 174
From: USA
04 E55, 06 E55, 05 G55, 14 E63s, 12 cls63
I'm beginning to wonder if something is indeed unplugged...this could explain the cig lighter plug in the tray being dead as well (no voltage on the fuse in the back either, which I find strange) There is voltage going to the little bulb in the tray, but after removing the tray I don't see an easy way to replace that bulb, so I'm just going to leave it alone.
For the steering wheel connectors, where would I look for this... I'm a bit nervous working around airbags...is this something under the dash, or in the steering wheel itself. Will take a look at the software (have to run it on an old laptop) to see if it sheds any more light on this.
For the steering wheel connectors, where would I look for this... I'm a bit nervous working around airbags...is this something under the dash, or in the steering wheel itself. Will take a look at the software (have to run it on an old laptop) to see if it sheds any more light on this.
Iv pulled hundred of airbags without disconnecting the battery so you’ll be okay.
disconnect wait 20 min for f you want and remove. See if anything is unplugged
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