Your problem lies with the BLEND AIR DOOR or the actuator motor that controls it. This motor is attached to the top of the heater/A/C box which is behind the dashboard/instrument panel.
Hello,
I recently purchased a 2000 ml430 with 80,000 miles on it. It seems to be by and large in good working order except for the heating. I don't know why but it always seems to be on. Even if I turn the fan all the way down if I put my hand over the vent I can still feel a little bit of warmth emanating from it. When I put the fan intensity to 2, the heating is overwhelming. Temperature intensity doesn't seem to have an effect on anything.
What should I check next?
-George
If you read the manual, it tells you where to set the knobs so no hot air or cold air will come out. My ML430 used to do the same as yours until I read the manual and the climate control postion selectors on the ML is not as intuitive as my honda's. You'll figure it out.