There is a brake sensor that can become faulty which will temporarly disable the ETS & ABS system. Normally the warning lights will come on on the dash, but you may still want to check this item as it may be the source of your trouble. Normally if you stop the engine and crank it back up, the problem will go away. (at least for a while)
Quote:
Benzark - 9/7/2004 12:38 PM
Is there something that could have totally disabled the system since then? I checked the fuse relating to the ABS, and it was fine.
George
Sunday I was on a short drive in my 2000 ML320. It was clear and dry. I was backing out of a level, well packed gravel driveway, and backed into a shallow grassy ditch running along the edge of the driveway.
The front left wheel stayed on the driveway. There was no part of the frame touching the ground anywhere. I tried to pull forward onto the driveway, and the front left wheel just sat there spinning and smoking. I could not hear the system working, as I have heard before. I tried again in "Low Range", with the same results. It took three people to push me forward up onto the driveway, with the front left tire spinning the entire time. The ML was absolutely helpless!! I honestly think that a two wheel drive, rear wheel drive car would have done better.
Are you guys joking or what?? So you mean to tell me that the ML will not be able to pull out of a shallow grassy ditch running along the edge of his driveway. Everyone is saying this is normal. Or maybe I am missing something here. Personally i think your truck is not working right. I would take it to another dealer and get a second opinion.... The ML should have been able to pull itself out of that little ditch with little effort.
I found that to be pretty incredulous myself. It was not my driveway, but one at a house for sale in the country. I may go back over there along with my Land Rover, or Dodge Power Wagon (and a video camera) and try to re-create the situation.
I may have had my left foot on the brake pedal, which turns off the traction control system, while I was trying to get some headway, I just don't remember that part for sure.
From what I gather, in this particular situation, I would not have any benefit from the 4ETS system. Luckily for me this was a relatively shallow ditch on level ground. Here in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, there are some places where I am afraid I could not have recovered from this situation very gracefully with this advanced system. (Or, as previously mentioned, I need to learn how to use it better.)
As I am sure you all are aware, the rearward visibility from this vehicle with adult rear passengers, and headrests up is not very good. I will continue to try to learn about this system and its limitations and benefits.
I am glad that I did not have to report that:
"I was backing up to turn around, since a recent storm had blown a tree down which was blocking the road, when I suddenly realized that the right rear wheel had slipped off the edge of the road onto a gravel enbankment which sloped steeply for 50 feet into the river valley where the cool, clear Middle Fork River was raging after the brief afternoon thunderstorm..."
This is a great pic showing how 4ETS works in 1998 to 2000 MLs.
Since the driver presses the brake pedal 4ETS switches off and the wheel in the air spins freely. To move off one takes the foot off the brake pedal and onto the gas pedal which engages 4ETS.
__________________
2005 C320 4MATIC | 2003 ML350 Inspiration Edition | 2001 Audi S4 Avant (Blk) - Stage II | 2001 Audi S4 Avant (Nogaro Blue) - Stage I | 2000 Audi S4 Sedan (Silver)
Linear Mode
