Since he has a SDS, then he is able to READ live data fron the trans module &
see if the trans selector is functioning properly.

__________________
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

Hmmmm....that would make sense then as he was trying to replicate the problem (it's pretty intermittent) to get the data, that's probably why he's had the truck for over two weeks. He's been telling me he has tried to reproduce the issue every day but the truck has been fine. Now he has finally had the issue raise its head again. That would seem to fit with what you're saying.

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1999 ML 430

Be patient with him.

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Jim

Paid him a visit today and he said he's 100% sure it's the shifter. He GUARANTEES that will solve the problem and if it doesn't, he will refund all the money for the repair. He suggested going with the used part over new.

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1999 ML 430

I'm pretty sure your ML has the early style shifter. It uses a voltage coded gear selector switch (inside the shifter assy.) that can be replaced without much fuss, and for a lot less than $600-800.

Does your shifter have P, R, N, D, 4, 3, 2, 1, or just P, R, N, D with the tip-shift feature?

It has the old school P,R,N,D,4,3,2,1. How could any MB tech not know that the coded gear selector switch can be replaced instead of replacing the whole shifter?

If the switch you're mentioning is part 74 in the picture, I'm going to be pissed. I just had that replaced recently by an incompetent mechanic and asked the new tech if that could be the problem (that the guy damaged the part or installed it incorrectly).

Attached Thumbnails

 

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1999 ML 430

Looks you're gonna be , at ME! Sorry, but I didn't bother to check the picture in your first post, my bad.

Before your situation gets completely out of control you've got to get your ML into the hands of someone who knows WTF they're doing!

I see stuff like this almost every day. In most cases it's no big deal, but matters are made worse when a well meaning shop mis-diagnoses a problem, then botches the repair work. Not only will you have the original problem to deal with but a man-made problem as well.

Replacing the gear selector switch isn't hard to do, but it's not hard to screw up either. I'm not saying that this is what happened, but before you go any further I'd recommend re-checking the switch installation. If your ML were in my shop this is the first thing I would do.