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'09 ML350 horn chirps randomly

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Old 09-11-2012, 05:32 PM
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'09 ML350 horn chirps randomly

Hello all, I am new to this website so I apologize in advance if this thread is posted in the wrong area. I would like to find out if anyone is familiar with a problem I'm having where my '09 ML350 is randomly making a sound like the horn is chirping very quietly??

It has 50,100 miles on it now, and just a couple weeks ago I brought it to a MB dealership to see if there were any recalls or work to be done before the factory warranty ended. At the time, the iPod connection cable was worn out and they ran diagnostics on the car for about an hour before ordering a new iPod cable which was given to me for free under the warranty.

After that I started to notice this horn noise was happening more frequently with every day that passed. It's a very quiet beeping from the horn that other people may not even hear outside the car, although it's very annoying to me. The quiet beep/chirp sound only lasts for a second but it happens every 30 seconds or so, and sometimes even more often. Occasionally when I shut the glove compartment it happens right away, which makes me think it could be from a loose connection behind the glovebox.

Is it possible that when I had the car at MB for diagnostics on the iPod cable, they could have done something to cause this? I don't want to bring it back there since the factory warranty has ended. However, I do have an extended warranty that's supposed to cover almost anything electrical of mechanical from the non-MB dealership where I bought the ML. I don't want to pay a lot for diagnostics while they determine if it's covered by the warranty though.

Is there any way it could be something simple like just needing a new battery?
Any input is greatly appreciated.

Dave
Old 09-12-2012, 02:32 AM
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Answer

It is very possible the alarm unit is failing from age.

Alarm Siren
MB# 219 820 32 26
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...+32+26&x=8&y=7

roy@pelicanparts.com


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Old 09-12-2012, 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by PelicanParts.com
It is very possible the alarm unit is failing from age.

Alarm Siren
MB# 219 820 32 26
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...+32+26&x=8&y=7

roy@pelicanparts.com


.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm actually not sure if my ML has an alarm though. When I push the lock button on the key, it seems to just lock the doors.
Old 09-12-2012, 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by 4_Matic
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm actually not sure if my ML has an alarm though. When I push the lock button on the key, it seems to just lock the doors.
All of them have an alarm..

roy@pelicanparts.com


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Old 09-12-2012, 09:14 PM
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There is no "alarm" control unit on a Mercedes. The ATA function is handled by multiple control units. Also If the OP's located in the US, his ML is not equipped with the H3/1 alarm siren you list.
Old 09-13-2012, 06:14 PM
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Damn I am starting to worry that this could require a major repair.
Old 09-13-2012, 06:55 PM
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It may not, but it may need a SDS if it is the alarm siren. SDS will tell you the last alarm trigger. Do you have a sound recording of the noise?
Old 09-14-2012, 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by 4_Matic
Damn I am starting to worry that this could require a major repair.
I need the VIN# and what country you are in for further diagnosis.

roy@pelicanparts.com

.
Old 09-14-2012, 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by PelicanParts.com
I need the VIN# and what country you are in for further diagnosis.

roy@pelicanparts.com

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I'm in the U.S. and the VIN# is 4JGBB86E19A497387
Old 09-14-2012, 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by MBtech1098
It may not, but it may need a SDS if it is the alarm siren. SDS will tell you the last alarm trigger. Do you have a sound recording of the noise?
I've recorded an mp3 of it today, although the forum is saying I can't upload the file. It looks like only images can be uploaded here.
Old 09-15-2012, 04:57 PM
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Update:

Apparently this noise is not totally random. It seems to happen whenever I shift my weight around from left to right while sitting in the driver's seat.
Old 09-16-2012, 09:54 PM
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OK

Originally Posted by PelicanParts.com
It is very possible the alarm unit is failing from age.

Alarm Siren
MB# 219 820 32 26
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...+32+26&x=8&y=7

roy@pelicanparts.com


.
Your car does have code 551.
The vehicle has this self contained battery alarm siren.

Your additional description makes me suspect the driver seat, sensors, modules, wire harness.

A star diagnostic is probably your cheapest option.

roy@pelicanparts.com

..
Old 09-18-2012, 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by PelicanParts.com
Your car does have code 551.
The vehicle has this self contained battery alarm siren.

Your additional description makes me suspect the driver seat, sensors, modules, wire harness.

A star diagnostic is probably your cheapest option.

roy@pelicanparts.com

..
Please review once again as you are incorrect. H3/1 is not valid for USA vehicles SA code 494 and ATA SA code 551. All Alabama vehicles in the USA have always been like this for the USA market. Also note that in the Web ETM it tells you this information as well.

I work with these vehicles everyday and know them inside and out.

Sorry to threadjack to the original OP, but I hate to see incorrect information be given out. I know how un-fun it is to be led on a wild goose chase when trying to fix a car.

Back to the OP, if you can upload a youtube video of the noise you here than maybe we can have a closer look. There have been various instances where a chirp noise can come from the seats due to rubbing of leathers, plastics and metals. There are DTB's/LI's regarding this, but none that relate directly to the 164 chassis.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14305675@N08/8001412857/
Old 09-20-2012, 04:11 AM
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Ok here is the link. It's very quiet so you may need to turn up the volume. The noise is right at about 8 and half seconds.


Last edited by 4_Matic; 09-20-2012 at 04:13 AM.
Old 09-20-2012, 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by 4_Matic
Ok here is the link. It's very quiet so you may need to turn up the volume. The noise is right at about 8 and half seconds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ76dmiIOOI&feature=plcp
Is this audible outside of the vehicle?

Where was the recording made, from the driver seat?

To me it sounds like a bad ground tweaking a relay.

roy@pelicanparts.com

.
Old 09-20-2012, 11:57 AM
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OK

Originally Posted by MBtech1098
Please review once again as you are incorrect. H3/1 is not valid for USA vehicles SA code 494 and ATA SA code 551. All Alabama vehicles in the USA have always been like this for the USA market. Also note that in the Web ETM it tells you this information as well.

I work with these vehicles everyday and know them inside and out.

Sorry to threadjack to the original OP, but I hate to see incorrect information be given out. I know how un-fun it is to be led on a wild goose chase when trying to fix a car.

Back to the OP, if you can upload a youtube video of the noise you here than maybe we can have a closer look. There have been various instances where a chirp noise can come from the seats due to rubbing of leathers, plastics and metals. There are DTB's/LI's regarding this, but none that relate directly to the 164 chassis.
Sorry I missed the note in EPC.

roy@pelicanparts.com

.
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Old 09-20-2012, 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by PelicanParts.com
Is this audible outside of the vehicle?

Where was the recording made, from the driver seat?

To me it sounds like a bad ground tweaking a relay.

roy@pelicanparts.com

.
The clip I posted was recorded from the drivers seat. I think it may be barely audible from outside the vehicle, although it's very quiet so I doubt that many people even notice it from the outside.
Old 10-01-2012, 05:14 AM
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The noise seems to have stopped for the past couple days but I have an appt. to have it checked at MB on Thursday. If it was a bad ground tweaking a relay, is it possible that the problem just went away? I don't know whether to cancel the appt. to save money on diagnostic fees or wait a couple more days.

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