2001 ML 320 will not crank, no sound
 

:(

I have a problem with my 2001 ML 320...aprox 80,000 miles
The car won't crank, no sound whatsoever when I tried to crank it, the only dash board lights that came on is the airbag and the SRS lights.

The head light, horn, power roof works but power windows, power lock ( from inside the car ), and the roof light in from will not work.
Also, my key is manual; usually when i unlock the driver's side doors, the other locks open but now, the other doors does not open.

The last time this happened, it cranked back after about 30 minutes but this time, it has shut down for the past 2 days.
Any ideas? Thanks
Alfred

Battery?
 

First, I'd check the fuses and if all is well I would look at is the battery. How old is it? Does it accept a charge? It may have just enough juice left to power a few lights but not enough to power those items that draw significant power.

I f the battery is low but will hold a charge the charging system (alternator) may be the problem.

Ski

MB sent a representative to check the battery; he said it's ok but I will check again....I also checked the fuses, i don't see any problem. Which fuse in particular should I look for. Also I noticed that when I try to crank the car, there's a faint 'click' noise that comes from the fuse box by the front passenger side.

ML ignition switches are probably the cheapest parts MB has ever made (in more ways than one). I do plenty of them. They're dirt cheap, so it's worth throwing a new one in and seeing what happens. The circuit 15 relay can also cause some strange behavior.

Where is the circuit 15 relay located...in the fuse box?...which element does it control....? I called the dealer ..part's dept. they don't know what I mean by circuit 15 relay.

Also is this something that I can or a mechanic can swap out or does it need dealer programming after swapping out?

Thanks

I swapped out the circuit 15 realy and charged the battery.....the problem remains the same. I need to tow it somewhere to have the ignition switch changed....

Is it true that 2001 ML 320 does not have a ignition switch? that's what I was told by a MB service advisor.