My wife's 2002 ML320 seems to hhave a central locking problem. It was "cycling" the door locks everytime the truck comes to a stop, unlocking locking and then relocking (I think). Then when the truck begins to move forward again it recycles the locks to the locked position. One other interesting point is that the rear hatch does not lock at all - even when the fob is used. If it is opened the alarm will go off. I can "deactivate" the automatic locking but I would like to have the door lock automatically.

I have cycled the locks by placing the ing in the number 2 position and pressing the lock to activate and then the unlock to deactivate...

When I reactivate is still does the "cycling" - which is annoying...

Am I doing something wrong? or leaving out some steps? Or has the rear hatch caused some sort of glitch??

Any help will be most welcome

Thanks!!

Hal

2002 ML320, 92 300td 2.5, 88 300 SEL, 85 500 SEC

You have a bad door lock actuator (solenoid).

That comes with the door lock assembly.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

I have the same problem and wondering if this is a DIY job, and do I need to do any further diagnosis before just replacing the part? I see no check engine light so I assume no code will appear if I plug in my scanner.

Thanks.

__________________
Francis E. Abate
Automotive Restoration & Preservation
Sheet metal, trim and upholstery

It would show in MBs code reader

ML 320 Door Lock Actuator (DLA)

Rear Left Door

Order Part (vin range specific) $200 online

Removal

1. Remove 3 phillips screws (2 door grip handle) and 1 behind SRS tag (popping off door grip trip and SRS tag)

2. Pop off interior door panel (apx 10 plastic fasteners)

3. Remove door light electrical connect at bottom of door.

4. Door latch manual cable disconnect. slides off

5. Door lock pin/post at top of panel. use sliding black clip to disconnect post from cable

6. slide 2 cables (manual disconnect and door post) behind SRS bag on door

7. Disconnect electical cable from door lock actuator (DLA)

8. Two torx screws hold DLA to door (at rear of door frame)

9. slide door weatherstripping just above DLA mounting screws to access 4mm hex screw (through dark hole)

10. Unscrew 4mm hex screw about 4-5 turns until small plastic piece at rear of door handle (on outside door handle) comes off

11. Loosen phillips screws a few turns on door handle

12. pull plastic door handle to rear and remove.

13. Door handle inner mount (large back plastic piece) should fall down into door

14. remove DLA through bottom of door now that the door handle is out

Reassembly

1. insert DLA into door

2. Thread cables (2) through hole at rear of SRS bag and thread both behind airbag

3. connect electrical connector to DLA (skip this at your peril - do it early)

4. position DLA to mount points and screw in torx screws (2) but do not tighten down

5. making sure that the 4mm hex screw and two phillips screws are attached but not tightened down, insert backing to outer door handle (ODH) into door
handle holes (positioning behind DLA). slide backing to ODH into postion and tighten 2 phillips screws

6. Attach ODH and tighten 4mm hex screw on door handle backing

7. Tighten down DLA torx (2)

8. attach manual door pull cable

9. attach door post to door liner

10. reinstall door light connector

11. reinstall 3 phillips screws to door liner to door, reattach trim and SRS tag

12. function check

Some links, and good .pdf for download.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163-m-class/1245878-replacing-front-door-lock-actuator-machine.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163-m-class/1417771-diy-thread-collection-2.html

Scroll to 4th post on 2nd link. Great .pdfs for DIY.

Dickie

00 ML320
06 325i