2002 ML320 ashtray door stuck
 

So the door under the radio will not open. I do not want to force it. I think there is a cigar lighter inside which I would like to use for power. How do I get the silly door to open? Should just press it and it should open.

Anyone? Anybody got a schematic ?

bump

My 2003 ML320 ashtray sticks sometimes but I have found that pressing down and in at the bottom center usually frees it up. There is a 12V socket below the glove box on mine so I seldom even open the ashtray. There is a lighter in the ashtray though.

OK, will try; thanks.

Bump. Still no luck. Anyone know what to do?

My ML55 tray is also stuck. I suspect there's something lodged in the mech. Toothpick possibly.

Well, I am still stumped. Need to reach out to my daughter and see if she ever got it open.

I've used compressed air to maybe blow anything out that is stuck in the works, pushed, pulled, used a bent hook to attempt in nudging it open... nothing works.

I can't even see how to get the thing apart other than breaking it out and replace it.
Perhaps if I find one at a pick-n-pull yard I might be willing to do that just to see what's going on.

When I first bought my R350 the PO had used the ashtray as a coin holder but allowed it to overfill jamming the door. I removed the center console and it was pretty simple, that allowed me to turn the center section upside down to get all the crap that was stuck in there. Did I mention the Slurpee that had been spilled at some point as well. Check the service manual for your model.

Will probably take a look tomorrow.

Thx.

Anyone out there have a schematic or diagram or anything from a service manual or owner's manual? Must be some kind of drawing out there.

Just found this on the internet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMgdFeXwkIk

Or maybe https://youtu.be/sMgdFeXwkIk


It is entitled 07 ML320- Fixing Ashtray Not Releasing.

It looks like you just gently pull out on the bottom of the wooden panel above the ashtray - the panel which holds the AC controls - and that panel will release. Looks like two catches below and maybe two slots at the top to secure it on top.

Then the video guy just gently works with the ashtray and finally it comes loose. Looks like a lot of change in there and maybe it caught on the coins.

I'm not sure yours will be the same as that, my R class is a completely different console. The problem, though, seems to be the same :rolleyes:
friggin coins in there jamming it.