M-Class (W166) Produced 2012-2015

2013 ML350 BT - CEL + Erratic messages in the dash???

Old Apr 18, 2017 | 08:56 AM
  #1  
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2013 ML350 Bluetec, 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible (sold)
2013 ML350 BT - CEL + Erratic messages in the dash???

Hey everyone,

Info about the car:

2013 ML350 BT
115 000 km on it (it's a cpo, so I still have about 5000 km of warranty left on it)

I was driving this morning when all of a sudden, I get constant messages in the dash saying basically everything is inoperative (cruise control, traction control, blind spot assist, driving assist, collision assist, etc.). The check engine light then pops on and I get the ESP off symbol + the little car icon. These 3 messages are constantly on.

The car seems to run fine but I didn't take the chance and I parked it at home. No other function seems to work (blind spot, cruise control, etc.). The radio however works fine.

Has anyone else experienced this before? Seems like an electrical issue of some kind... I have the machine at home to check the CEL. I will update the thread once I get home from work and find out the error code.

Last edited by Potrice; Apr 19, 2017 at 01:19 PM.
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Old Apr 18, 2017 | 06:27 PM
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2009 e class 2012 ml350
possible corrosion on the blind spot sensors, hard to say with out reading codes
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Old Apr 18, 2017 | 06:51 PM
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2013 ML350 Bluetec, 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible (sold)
Well this sucks. I just tried to read the code with my OBDII reader and no luck. It seems that it is not compatible with the ML350. Darn it!

The car still has the 3 icons permanently on (CEL, ESP off and the little car with the skidmarks). Every single possible message pops up in the dash (run flat inoperative, blind spot, lane assist, pre safe fuctions, ''dont shift into drive'', etc.). It's really crazy. Every dash light icon goes nuts.

***Update: Here is the a video of the whole thing...really weird stuff...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr2P...ature=youtu.be

***Just noticed that the video was on private and the link wasn't working. It should be ok now.***

Last edited by Potrice; Apr 19, 2017 at 08:26 AM.
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Old Apr 19, 2017 | 01:02 PM
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2013 VW Golf TDI, 2006 VW Jetta TDI, 2015 Ducati Monster
wow. thats crazy. take it in asap since it's still under warranty. let us know what they fix.
curious, hit any big puddles lately? IIRC there's something in the front fender with electronics and some have had issues after they hit a puddle. or am i thinking of a different suv?
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Old Apr 19, 2017 | 01:12 PM
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2013 ML350 Bluetec, 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible (sold)
Originally Posted by King Luis
wow. thats crazy. take it in asap since it's still under warranty. let us know what they fix.
curious, hit any big puddles lately? IIRC there's something in the front fender with electronics and some have had issues after they hit a puddle. or am i thinking of a different suv?
I know...crazy right? As I said, the suv seems to run fin, but without any functions working. I haven't hit any big puddles or anything as well. This is a big mystery to me. Maybe the previous user was right about the blind spot sensor being the culprit. I will take an appointment with my local MB dealership and see what they can find. Hopefully it's not something major...
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Old Apr 24, 2017 | 01:40 PM
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2013 ML350 Bluetec, 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible (sold)
Update: It turns out it was the blind spot sensor that was corroded. According to the dealer, water got in it and caused eletrical problems in the vehicle. Supposedely, those sensors aren't well protected from the elements (they're located in the dumper).

Now I wonder if there's a way to add protection to them to prevent this problem from reoccuring...Any suggestions? Would it be possible to wrap them in something or install some kind of splash shield to prevent the snow/water to get on them?

Edit: Forgot to mention, everything was changed under warranty. Won't cost a penny (except for the 50$ CPO Star Warranty deductible).

Last edited by Potrice; Apr 24, 2017 at 02:04 PM.
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Old Apr 24, 2017 | 01:46 PM
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2009 e class 2012 ml350
Sensors

I hope they replaced the harness too, I see them all the time, they look good but when you remove the housing from the connector the pins are also corroded
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Old Apr 24, 2017 | 02:03 PM
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2013 ML350 Bluetec, 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible (sold)
Originally Posted by f4i 954
I hope they replaced the harness too, I see them all the time, they look good but when you remove the housing from the connector the pins are also corroded
Thanks for the info, I will let them know. Any way to wrap them up or add protection to them? I don't want this to happen again...especially since I'll be out of warranty in about 4000km.
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Old Apr 24, 2017 | 02:25 PM
  #9  
f4i 954's Avatar
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2009 e class 2012 ml350
Sensors

not sure what can prevent this from happening, on mine I covered the connector with grease to keep any water away, not sure if will help
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Old Apr 24, 2017 | 02:29 PM
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2013 VW Golf TDI, 2006 VW Jetta TDI, 2015 Ducati Monster
don't know how long it lasts but there are dielectrical greases that protects electronics alright. used it on my RC cars back in the day. but depending how long open they are to the elements it might not stay on that long.
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Old Apr 24, 2017 | 02:59 PM
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2009 e class 2012 ml350
Sensors

The problem is that the sensors get supper hot, that needs to be considered, plus the first ones had a vent
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