[benzbroke]

2000 ml320 has,in the past two months,started to light the first three warning lights on the left of the dash(ETS/ESP/ABS)at the same time when the car is first driven in the morning.This is accompanied by a groan(moan)for a second or two.This happens within the first 200 feet of leaving my driveway without touching the brakes.If I shut the car off and restart it will usually go away but this also is not always consistent.Car does not do this every morning,and occasionally it will do it after use for several hours,then not for days.I have lived with this as an annoyance.Today it did not light in the morning or during use for a half dozen stop and go errands.I stopped the car for about five minutes and when I restarted and drove off,the lights came on accompanied by a long(10 secs.)groan(moan) and an audible hissing sound.Now the groan happens every time AFTER I step on the brakes,and lasts about 7 to 10 seconds.The groan is so loud that people look at the car.The hissing is in the area of the front left wheel and sounds like a leaking air hose.The hissing does not stop when the car is shut off but continues for about a half hour then stops.It sounds like an air compressor is running.I intend to get under tommorrow morning to look at front left area.If anyone has had this exact problem I would be grateful for your input.Anything to keep me out of the dealers shop !!!

 

[geralmjcj]

Check your brakes, it may worn out

 

[f-8]

2000 ML320. Hi I have the exact same problem. The problem has been occurring for the last 2-3 months, but not consistently. I've noticed that after the car has been idling for 2 to 3 minutes (from a cold start), that if I start in 1st gear and slowly drive off and then shift to 2nd gear, the problem does not surface. Of course that's not a fix to the problem, but atleast its temporary.

Here's changes that i've done myself, but it didn't fix the problem:

- changed the brake switch ($20-30)
- I changed my front brakes and wear sensors.

The next step that I'll be doing is "bleeding the brakes" and placing new brake fluid in the lines.

If you find a solution to your problem, please post it to this forum or PM me.

 

[Drew]

Funny...

I had the exact same three warning lamps come on today, after some snow driving and fairly significant/frequent ESP corrections. The lights went off after my resynchronising of the steering angle sensor, but nonetheless I'll be going in for a service (a couple of other niggly bits to take care of) on the 19th to check out the error code.

Certainly the steering angle sensor, BAS/ESP control unit, as well as the wheel speed sensors are all possible culprits.

 

[jdanish]

First look at the pads, hangging stuck pad, caliper could trigger ABS/etc.
External/Aux Vacuume pump at right fender? Hose broken?
Any lights/Codes set?
jd

 

[AL-Sayegh]

I got the same problem also , the lights was fluctuate . the dealer changed a switch which is located at Braking Pedal.

 

[dfskinner]

Just had the truck inspected for the yearly sticker in Virginia, and noticed that these three lights have started coming on; do you guys think that having the vehicle inspected, or them jacking up the vehicle and taking off one of the front wheels and one of the rear wheels had anything to do with the start of those lights coming on?

Also found that I'm now missing 2 lugs on the right rear of the vehicle (the rear wheel that the inspector removed) and I had to tighten the 3 that were remaining, guess he didn't retighten the lugs on that wheel after he removed it to check the brake pad. Could that be the cause of the lights showing?

Thanks,

 

[rudeney]

Just had the truck inspected for the yearly sticker in Virginia, and noticed that these three lights have started coming on; do you guys think that having the vehicle inspected, or them jacking up the vehicle and taking off one of the front wheels and one of the rear wheels had anything to do with the start of those lights coming on?

Also found that I'm now missing 2 lugs on the right rear of the vehicle (the rear wheel that the inspector removed) and I had to tighten the 3 that were remaining, guess he didn't retighten the lugs on that wheel after he removed it to check the brake pad. Could that be the cause of the lights showing?

I don’t see removing the wheels as being the cause. Even with loose or missing lug bolts, the wheel would have to be practically falling off to even activate ESP, much less cause a fault. My guess is that it is either unrelated, or the inspector damaged something in the process. Given that the lugs were not put back on correctly, it would certainly make me suspicious.

We “ain’t gotta deal with no stinkin’ inspekchuns here in Alabama�, so I don’t know what is normal, but I am surprised that a government inspector does the work. Due to the liability involved, I’d think you’d just go to a local certified garage to have the inspection done and signed-off by a mechanic (I know this is what my daughter in Georgia does for their emissions testing). If I were you, I'd go after them for this mistake, especially if there is any damage to the brakes causing the fault.

While we’re on the subject of lug nuts, the last time I had NTB R&B my tires, they stripped two of my hub threads; one so badly that they just left the bolt out of it (or broke it when cranking down on it). They did reimburse me for having the dealer repair the threads and install new bolts. Even though I bought the tires at NTB with lifetime R&B, I don’t think I’ll be going back there. Their service has really declined in the last few years. When I had tires put on my wife’s car at Costco, I noticed that they are required to have a manager check and sign-off on the torque of all lugs. I thought that was a very good QA measure and certainly made me more comfortable with their service.

- RODNEY

 

[ibflyer]

I recently had the lights on problem you described but not the hissing noise. Problem traced to a relay under the hood. Brake light switch was previously replaced after reading forum advice but this did not help. Unfortuately you must have a shop with the code reader trace down the problem.

 

[f-8]

Yes the relay switch seemed to be culprit of my problem. Drove down to the dealership and picked up a new relay switch ($25 cad). Swapped out the old relay switch for the new one and the problem disappeared.

 

[CaliE320]

F-8,

So replacing this switch ridded you of the brake groans? Could you possibly give me the part#.
I have the same brake groaing issue on my 2000 ML320 and it's getting
annoying.

thanks,

~Cali

 

[f-8]

Here's the part number # 002-542-26-19 (RELAY C405).

It solved the groaning noise that came from the driver's side engine compartment (ESP motor/pump). The faulty relay switch did not allow the system to power off even when the engine was off and the key was not in the ignition.

For $20 US, its worth trying....

 

[tsanjose]

man when it rains it pours! first my check engine light now this ETS light turns on! my first two lights on the lower left turned on this morning. man, didnt know hitting 70k miles is a precursor to "the pain".

anyone confirm what these lights are for? are they directly connected to the brake sensors?

 

[tsanjose]

did a search and found this...

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1166641&posts=14&hl=brake+switch

looks like the e-brake pedal swith is faulty? i also read on another thread that the 3rd brake, low brake fluid and/or a bad 3rd brake light can cause this.

 

[CaliE320]

Thanks F-8,

I'll give it a try.

~Cali

 

[Kevinc]

I have the exactly same problem with my 2000 ML 320 and last service at the dealership, they told me that the ESP/ABS sensor is defective and would cost $500CAN to replace. I was sceptical to the repair since this only occurs randomly. Any suggestion is greately appreciated.

 

[marcelc]

I have linked a groaning or moaning sound to problems with the power steering.

I would at least check the steering fluid level before starting any expensive, or more complicated, repairs.

And please let us know what was the solution, thanks.

 

[tomer]

Wow...Now I am pretty spooked about our 2001 ML320. Last week we had it in the shop for repeated incidents of the 3 left most error lights, and sure enough, they replaced the brake light switch and said all is OK...

Well, today my wife gets the same 3 lights on again (doing nothing but getting groceries, this thing has never been off road) then she gets the moaning sound, actually she said it sounded like a jet airplane overhead, then she realised it was her car!!! Well, the idiot at the shop said if it accelerates/brakes properly, drive it in....dummy....I need to follow my gut instinct more with these dummies at the Service department, because my wife got about a mile and it appears the power steering hose blew off, and she CAN"T muscle the car at all...And of course we had the recall done about a year ago....Furthermore, the MBZ service idiot (you can tell what I think of him) did not offer help towing, he said use AAA....nice service buddy, I expected a little more from MBZ....

I don't think the 3 dash lights should have been related to the power steering hose coming off (confirmed by service today)....are there any other causes??

I am sorry to all the happy owners, but I just have to vent...We had far better build and general quality in our 99 Durango than we do in this 2001 ML320, of which we have ~ 24K miles, and like I said, no off road at all, this thing just goes to safeway and babysRus...I can't imagine owning one of these without the factory warranty....am I alone on this??? we have had a lot of little things break, and now some serious things...

I just can't believe all these problems, I was hoping (praying) that they had them sorted out by 2001 model year...I don't feel like my wife is very safe now running down the road, with these error lights coming on so often, how an I be sure any of these safety systems are even working???

thanks for allowing me to vent, and flame away if need be...

cheers
Tomer

 

[dewdaltz]

My Three Little lights came out just tonight when I went out. Read the old post and there you go. Assuming that the relay switch is broken and replaced. Will the three lights (ETS, ESP, ABS) disappear on its own or do I still have to go to AutoZone to take out the lights. Thanks.

 

[Noodles]

If the relay is the culprit the lights should go off without a stop at a parts store or shop.