2013 ML550 long crank, multiple codes
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 76
2013 ML550 US spec. Air+Offroad pkg
2013 ML550 long crank, multiple codes
My 86k mile ML550 has had exceptionally long crank start cycles lately...like 5 seconds, which Ive suspected being a bad cam adjuster for a while (timing chain slap at startup too...yes I got the oil check valve right after initial delivery in 2013). Today engine light came on and used a cheap scanner to get codes. P1CCF - insufficient fuel pressure at startup, U0121-87 - ABS/ESP lost comm, U0146-87 - lost comm with central gateway, U1164 - invalid TPMS tuner. Thoughts? Prior experience? I want to avoid taking it into a shop and they chase and replace parts for each code unnecessarily.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 2,041
From: US
2008 E350, 2012 ML350, 2014 E350, 2015 ML350
My 86k mile ML550 has had exceptionally long crank start cycles lately...like 5 seconds, which Ive suspected being a bad cam adjuster for a while (timing chain slap at startup too...yes I got the oil check valve right after initial delivery in 2013). Today engine light came on and used a cheap scanner to get codes. P1CCF - insufficient fuel pressure at startup, U0121-87 - ABS/ESP lost comm, U0146-87 - lost comm with central gateway, U1164 - invalid TPMS tuner. Thoughts? Prior experience? I want to avoid taking it into a shop and they chase and replace parts for each code unnecessarily.
For a long crank, I can only associate the insufficient fuel pressure at startup. The fuel pump/sender/filter combo is typically due for replacement at 150,000 miles, but the quality of the gas may also have an impact. Do you often run the tank to the low fuel mark?
Access to a more MB-aware scanner to monitor live data while cranking?
Member
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 163
Likes: 57
From: Australia
2014 ML63, 2018 GLC43, 1929 DB victory six sports roadster
My 86k mile ML550 has had exceptionally long crank start cycles lately...like 5 seconds, which Ive suspected being a bad cam adjuster for a while (timing chain slap at startup too...yes I got the oil check valve right after initial delivery in 2013). Today engine light came on and used a cheap scanner to get codes. P1CCF - insufficient fuel pressure at startup, U0121-87 - ABS/ESP lost comm, U0146-87 - lost comm with central gateway, U1164 - invalid TPMS tuner. Thoughts? Prior experience? I want to avoid taking it into a shop and they chase and replace parts for each code unnecessarily.
I had the same issue with my ML500 and after changing all the cam adjusters , tensioners and everything else in there I still had the same issues.
I have done a repair thread on Benzworld about this.
P001685 with long crank. Just search that and you’ll find it. I have tried to copy and paste on this forum with no luck. It’s not very mobile phone friendly.
It’s helped out a lot of people at no real cost for the repair.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 880
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
What happens if you use the physical key, turn it to "on", wait several seconds for the fuel pump to prime up (you might even hear it running, and can tell when it turns off), THEN turn it to "start"?
