I purchased a 1999 ML320 recently which has low miles - only 46,000 miles. The current problem is puzzling. For everday driving on local roads no problems. Highway driving no problems. However, when we take this one exit ("L" shaped exit ramp) off the highway which slopes down and to the right and then we are downtown faced with several city blocks of traffic lights. Consistenly, every time, after taking this exit and going maybe a block or two, The dashboard gauges light up like a christmas tree. The BAS/ESP, Check Engine, Brake lights all come on and then the transmission only allows us to use the low gear to drive. After waiting a couple of minutes, turning the car off and then restarting the lights go out and the ML drives normally again. The Check Engine stays on, but eventually goes out after several restarts of the engine. Since purchasing this vehicle, I have replaced the brake pads back/front, front brake discs, MAS, vibration damper, transmission electrical plate, battery, rear crank seal, motor mounts, upper oil pan seal and of course not to mention labor. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

BTW, the codes are:
ETC - 132,134,135,136,137 - all stored
ME2-SFI - P0720,P00700-106 - Not Defined
ESP - C1022(CAN Fault Control Unit w/ME-SFI),C1024(CAN Fault Control Unit ETC) - Stored
ESP - C1032(CAN Fault Control Unit Inst. Clust),C1030(CAN Fault Control Unit Transf Case) - Stored
AAM -
ICM - B1040(CAN Fault Control Unit MR engine control) stored
ICM - B1041(CAN Fault Control Unit Traction Systems) - stored
ICM - B1089(CAN FAult Control Unit Transfer Case) - stored

The mechanic drove it to the same exit ramp and got the same codes. He brought his laptop to read the codes. THe ML320 acted the same way when it exited from another steep ramp which curved to the right. He then cleared all of the codes and then drove a short distance before getting another set of codes. It only appears to happen in this area.....nowhere else. Could there be a latent electrical capacitance built up and not discharged yet from the lateral acelerator sensor ? He feels it might be the ESP Control Module

Any Help Would be appreciated.[/align]

 

I live down from the plant in Alabama - there are no hills down here

sorry- couldn't resist... have no idea... anyone know a good ML320 mechanic in Montgomery, Alabama? The dealer is nuts.. I need a mech.

 

it sounds more like lateral accleration sensor is over senstive,its stuiated under the centre console,this item is part of esp bas and abs,you need to worry more if the fault codes come up as current faults rather than stored faults,ifits current faults than you exctactly wat to change or renew............

 

Naz.......I remember a discussion with the technician regarding some of the codes that he read being current but this is all he supplied me with.....All stored codes. You are the second person to point out the lateral aceleration sensor under the center console. Do you think it is at least worth a shot replacing this first ?

 

Naz...

An update........My wife just called and said that she bipassed the exit ramp and is in an area of downtown near the exit ramp on a flat surface road where we believe there is an area with a ton of radio/tv/satellite frequency in the area and as usual, the dashboard lit up like a christmas tree.....I am talking to her as we speak. We now definitely believe it has something to do with a magenetic/electrical surge because of the intense radio/tv/satellite frequency in the area.