M-Class (W166) Produced 2012-2015

Had problem shifting from Park to Drive or R

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Old Dec 23, 2021 | 11:19 PM
  #1  
andwhysee's Avatar
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Had problem shifting from Park to Drive or R

Hi Guys
I have a 2012 ML350 with 79k miles. I bought it used in November 2019. I had No issues at all. But past two weeks I had a couple of problems shifting from Park to D or R. It first happened a week ago then It just happened again now. I couldn't shift from P to R. Well I was able to shut off the engine, restarted then the shifting work. what could be the problem? I don't see any warning lights. It's been cold lately here in DC. The car starts fine, even though I just noticed a little hesitation when I turned the key few minutes ago. Please help thank you!

Last edited by andwhysee; Dec 24, 2021 at 09:53 AM.
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Old Dec 24, 2021 | 05:46 AM
  #2  
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2015 ML400 4MATIC, 2016 C300 4MATIC, 2014 E350 4MATIC (Totaled), 2006 E350 (Sold)
Replace Auxiliary Battery.

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Old Dec 24, 2021 | 10:10 AM
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now my car won't start. is this main battery or the aux battery??
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Old Dec 24, 2021 | 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by andwhysee
now my car won't start. is this main battery or the aux battery??
Aux battery
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Old May 31, 2022 | 10:54 AM
  #5  
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ML 350 2013
Originally Posted by andwhysee
Hi Guys
I have a 2012 ML350 with 79k miles. I bought it used in November 2019. I had No issues at all. But past two weeks I had a couple of problems shifting from Park to D or R. It first happened a week ago then It just happened again now. I couldn't shift from P to R. Well I was able to shut off the engine, restarted then the shifting work. what could be the problem? I don't see any warning lights. It's been cold lately here in DC. The car starts fine, even though I just noticed a little hesitation when I turned the key few minutes ago. Please help thank you!
Any updates?

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Old Jul 22, 2022 | 12:49 PM
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From: Melbourne, Australia
2010 E350 Cabriolet (A207), 2007 (MY08) S350 W221, 2013 ML350 BT W166
Started having the exact same problem with my ML 350 Blutec 2013 model.
About 2 months ago is when i first noticed it started to happen.
Has only happened in total maybe 4-5 times since then and only on cold first start ups.
The only way so far to get the shifter to work is ill have to switch off the engine, open the drivers door, close the drivers door and then restart and then it seems to work normal again.

There has been no warning messages on the dash and about 15 months ago i had got the Aux battery malfunction warning (which the vehicle never did the shifter issues back then) and had the battery replaced brand new at a Mercedes Benz Dealer ad never seen the Aux warning message again since then.

Could this be a Keyless Go or Fob issue maybe?
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Old Sep 14, 2022 | 08:55 AM
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ML 350 2013
i have finally fixed the issue ( 2 months problem free so far) posting a detailed troubleshooting process soon..
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Old Jan 27, 2023 | 06:22 PM
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ml 350 2014
Can you share your findings. I’m having same issues
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Old Jan 27, 2023 | 06:41 PM
  #9  
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From: Melbourne, Australia
2010 E350 Cabriolet (A207), 2007 (MY08) S350 W221, 2013 ML350 BT W166
Originally Posted by asinnj
Can you share your findings. I’m having same issues
Mine was the main engine starter battery that was causing the problem.
It was its original battery in the ML from factory built so almost 10 years it lasted.
The voltage was dropping way below when trying to start and it would cause a issue with the computer that tells the gearbox to shift gears from the lever.

Had my battery changed and (knock on wood) the problem is now sorted.
Done at Mercedes Benz dealership supplied & fitted for $1,200 Aus dollars.
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Old Jan 28, 2023 | 07:42 AM
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ML 350 2013
My sincerest apologies for the late reply i gad a lot going on for the past couple of months.
Okay guys so back when this issue happened with me i tried literally everything that's been written on the forums : main battery replaced, aux battery replaced, key fob batteries.. None of this helped i ended up dismantling the SCM and turns out the outlet where the shifting stick gets pluged into is tin soldered on the SCM board and the solder with chipped and had broken off. (Shown in red in the attached photo) so all I did was re-weld the part that had been broken and disconnected. And i have been driving my beautiful suv problems free. I am willing to help anyone who's having this problem in depth through whatsapp if any of my explanations wasn't clear enough : here's my number +9613426693. I know it can be a hassle 😂 I've been there.
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Old Jan 30, 2023 | 01:44 AM
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nicely done ✌️

At last someone who's not afraid of putting its solder iron to the car... two of us! 👏

Are you sure now SCM perfect or "Direct Shifter" still a bit goofy at time with soft-crash no shift until restarted?

Another seriously bad module that is scheduled to cost you dearly is ISM : gearbox shifter famous for "Limp-mode" and "No-Crank".


ISM money maker

Many thanks to Juan @juanmor40 for spotting this SCM thread .
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Old Feb 4, 2023 | 10:24 PM
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Joey M's Avatar
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From: Kennesaw, GA
CLK55 AMG; '13 ML350 4Matic
Originally Posted by Gio Sayah
My sincerest apologies for the late reply i gad a lot going on for the past couple of months.
Okay guys so back when this issue happened with me i tried literally everything that's been written on the forums : main battery replaced, aux battery replaced, key fob batteries.. None of this helped i ended up dismantling the SCM and turns out the outlet where the shifting stick gets pluged into is tin soldered on the SCM board and the solder with chipped and had broken off. (Shown in red in the attached photo) so all I did was re-weld the part that had been broken and disconnected. And i have been driving my beautiful suv problems free. I am willing to help anyone who's having this problem in depth through whatsapp if any of my explanations wasn't clear enough : here's my number +9613426693. I know it can be a hassle 😂 I've been there.
Do we have a write up on how to remove? I’ve been able to find so little about this subject, feel in the last 3 years this is the closest!
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