W164 ML320 - Gearbox Issues???

[Sebba]

Hi all - I have noticed that my new 2005 ML320 AUTO is doing something strange - it has happened twice now.

Once started, if I engage a gear, move a little and then place it back into PARK and try to engage a gear again, the car simply refuses to engage gear (any gear)- it will not go into Reverse or Drive, simply sits in Park.

I have also noticed that I do not need to press the brake pedal to engage a gear - not sure if this is normal for this model (all the other cars I have had (mainly BMWs) requires this to be done) - eitherway, whether I press the brake pedal or not, it simply doesn't engage gear.

I have to turn the car off and start it again - then it is fine.

It has only happened to me twice but it is alarming as I have just got the car. I have noticed that the battery is pretty weak - could this be the problem?

Many thanks for your advice -
A very worried ML owner.

[Mars]

I joined the Merc Owners forum earlier to look for info about our W164, and whilst searching found a small number of gearbox "conversations". They're not all failures, so don't get worried, but it must be happening often enough that people are talking about it.

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/

[Mars]

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t...

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t...

Possible fix (valve seems common to other threads): http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/71461-merced...

[pist nbroke]

Before you get to in depth, take it to yor dealer and get them to check and update the gearbox sortware.

Not saying it will definately fix it but in my experience software updates fix about 70% of transmition problems, this should be what you do first on this vehicle as it will also, i imagine be the cheapest.

P.S must be a dealer. They will take the latest software from M.B and flash code it to the transmition control module.