02 ml500 - abs/flat battery

[upnorth]

I have had some problems with the abs/esp lights coming on, but the car was running fine...until yesterday. The breakpaddel startet to vibrate and a strange sound came from the front left tier/ break ( I think). Even after shutting off the engine i could here this sound.

I drove the car home and parked it. This morning i went out to start it again, but then the battery was flat. The radio system displayed a "voltage too low" message.

have any of you experinced anything similar or know what the problem is?

Thanks in advance!

[ILUVMILS]

Lots of things could be wrong, but I'll try to help narrow it down.

Did you hear the "strange sound" after you shut the engine off? If so, I'm guessing that the noise you heard was the traction system charging pump. It's not uncommon for the relay to stick closed, causing the pump to run continuously until the pump dies, or the battery goes dead. This will usually store fault code C1401 in ESP.

I'd recommend charging the battery(with the ground dis-connected), and checking to see if the pump starts running when you re-connect it. If it does, dis-connect the battery again and remove relay k25. With the relay removed you can drive it without risking charging pump damage, assuming it hasn't been damaged already. Either way, you need to have it checked by someone with experience on MB traction systems. Let us know what happens.

[upnorth]

thanks for quick answer!

I heard the sound both when the engine was running and when it was shut off. When driving it also came a sound from the steering-wheel, depending on the steering-wheels position.

I tried to start the engine with a jump starter, without any luck. I will call the local MB-dealer in the morning for an appointment.

[ILUVMILS]

Make sure you remove the relay if you have to use the vehicle! If the pump runs non-stop it'll cost a bundle to fix! Keep in mind though, with the relay removed, you'll be dis-abling the traction system! Keep us posted.