Dash Message - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

johnflight1 · #1 09-06-2012, 10:30 AM

Would anyone know what it means when a ML350 says in the center of the dash Visit Work Shop with the picture of a battery. And then later on it said in RED with alarms going off visit workshop without changing gears!!!! My wife freaked out an brought the car home ,No check eng light and no codes. I suspect the trans I cant pull up the codes for other systems because I only have a snap on MT-2500 up to 2003 and carsoft multiplexer which will not talk to this 2006 ML 350 systems.

TX76513 · #2 09-06-2012, 10:38 AM

It means its time to give up some cash and go to the dealership.

johnflight1 · #3 09-06-2012, 10:58 AM

I knew that ,But should I go to the dealer or my independant guy? I have seen posts on here how the dealer would not sell 722.9 parts to anyone in reference to the valve body and plate if thats what it is???????

TX76513 · #4 09-06-2012, 11:09 AM

If you Indy has the latest Flash Release (SDflash Release CD 0004488102/0008 )

Not exactly sure where N V is but here is a source for Valve Body

http://europeantransmissionscom.x-shops.com/shop/product.php?productid=16307

Edward Wyatt · #5 09-06-2012, 11:22 AM

A charging system issue and/or a bad battery can cause all kinds of havoc.

I would start off with a load test of the battery and make sure the alt. isn't putting out too much AC voltage. Set your dvom meter to ac on a low scale and test across the the battery terminals with the engine running, anything more than .5 to 1.0 ac volts is reason for concern.

johnflight1 · #6 09-06-2012, 12:05 PM

ac volts across battery are .02 dc volts running 13.8 dc batt voltage off is 11.89. looks good. off to the shop I guess

jcyuhn · #7 09-06-2012, 12:44 PM

11.89 is very low voltage for a battery at rest. Depending on the temperature at the time it represents between 25% and 50% of a full charge. I would suggest having the battery checked. Many auto parts stores and battery stores will do this for free.

Zulfiqar · #8 09-06-2012, 12:54 PM

Does this vehicle use two batteries? I have read about this message on an E class that used two batteries, the little one at the back of the car was bad (read very expensive) and some sort of giant relay was also acting up too - this giant relay was the contactor for this small battery.

johnflight1 · #9 09-06-2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

Does this vehicle use two batteries? I have read about this message on an E class that used two batteries, the little one at the back of the car was bad (read very expensive) and some sort of giant relay was also acting up too - this giant relay was the contactor for this small battery.

I do not know if this 06 ML350 has 2 batteries ,I will check it out in starfinder ,epc ,and wis.

johnflight1 · #10 09-07-2012, 12:32 AM

dropped off at local benz indie waiting for word tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed

johnflight1 · #11 09-10-2012, 10:44 AM

The shop says it is the electronic shift box that mounts to the side of the trans and it should be about $1,200.00 with labor. I told them to do a full service on the trans while their at it

ILUVMILS · #12 09-10-2012, 12:15 PM

The 164 ML can display two different battery messages. If the warning is RED, it means the charging system is the problem. If the message is in WHITE, it means the back-up battery is the problem, along with some new software in the front SAM. A DC/DC converter will also have to be retro-fitted to increase the charging voltage of the new back-up battery.

There's an old Technical Bulletin that covers the whole thing. Have your indy check it out.

johnflight1 · #13 09-10-2012, 02:17 PM

The battery message was white picture of a battery.
The red message was saying drive to workshop do not shift gears

The indie just called me to replace the backup battery.....Could this have caused the trans shift module box problem?????
Where is the battery located and can I change it myself without thousands of dollars worth of diagnostic tools...

ILUVMILS · #14 09-10-2012, 08:21 PM

The back-up battery has one job, and one job only!

In case of a complete failure of the main battery, the back-up battery provides power to allow the transmission to be shifted into PARK. It's a safety thing.

The back-up battery is located next to the main battery, beneath the front passenger seat.

The warning message telling you to "drive to workshop/without shifting gears" is telling you that once you put the transmission into park, you may not be able to get it out of PARK. This makes towing the vehicle a PITA if the MB free-wheel adaptor isn't available. Most towing companies don't have a clue what this is. This warning is usually due to a malfunction of the shift servo on the transmission, but not always.

Have your indy replace the back-up battery, clear all the fault codes and go from there.

johnflight1 · #15 09-12-2012, 01:43 PM

My indie is pretty cool let me change the aux battery and they changed the electronic box on the trans (a shift motor I guess it is called) I could have changed it also but it needs to be coded epc calls it a theft relevant part. So I had them do all that and a full trans service. The car shifts better then when it was new.

$1,600.00total. trans service was 3hundred something.part was 6hundred something I guess about 7 hrs labor with the initial diagnostics and troubleshooting...............all good now!!!