Mercedes ML350 W166 Main & Auxiliary Batteries replacement. Stuck in Park, not shifting.

[@YingJwo]

Before you removed everything, it looks like there is a small cover that can be removed from the side panel of the trunk area. I suspect that is the access door for the auxiliary battery. Thank you for posting. Knowing the location of the battery and what to look out for helps me out a lot.

[@frenchtlk]

negative. I tried it.

[@blessedone1304]

Naa it's really deep down behind other stuff

[@peponderat92]

@@frenchtlk Not negative, it works, seen other videos

[@randybaker6242]

Good video. Did one here at our shop and only need to remove one of the metal anchors (t-40), the two top "T'" hooks (t-30) and the cargo cover cup (t-30). unplugged 12v outlet and pulled the panel out enough to remove the battery. Took about 8 minutes total to remove and install.

[@tameracoleman9515]

Hi Randy. I live in Alexandria, VA and my 2006 ml350 gears won't reverse or stays in Park. Dealership says actuator motor $880.... now that I see this video, perhaps it's just the battery? How much to replace batteries?

[@KuntalGhosh]

​@@tameracoleman9515 This battery is less than 10$ if you buy it from amazon , if you buy it from mercedes it is close to 100$ + whatever labour you need. Or if you do it yourself. There is no difference between aftermarket or OEM. They buy this battery from china and slap a mercedes part label over it. If you peal off the label you will find a random china brand.

[@renerobes30]

Thanks for the video. I just replaced the main and auxiliary batteries on my 2013 ML350 Bluetec. Just a few suggestions. No need to completely remove the felt liner, just the two retainers on the battery side (you can access the battery no problem), I even left the bottom styrofoam panel in place as well. Also, there's no need to remove any weatherstripping, you can reinstall the side panel using a plastic trim tool and fingers to position the weatherstrip edges back to their correct positions. Saved myself a bunch of money doing this myself.

[@MatthieuAmherst]

Thank you so much for this video, not a lot of ml350 vids out there.

[@haraldg.9331]

Many thanks for the video. Its hard enough to accept that it is so extremely hard to change a battery in this car.

[@volvosweden]

Its very complicated car to work on.

[@cantthinkofaname2481]

auxiliary battery is not the cause of not shifting. even auxiliary battery is not connected, it will still shift. main battery needs to be change when not shifting. also, you didn’t need to do all these to replace it, just take that small cover and use a 10mm to take the bolt out. hope this will help for viewers. nice video though thanks

[@volvosweden]

Thx for your feedback here. Hope it helps others.

[@worldpeace5853]

Are you saying gear not shifting is because of the main battery? If so, how come he was able to shift as soon as the auxiliary battery was replaced? What is the auxiliary battery for and when do you even know when to replace it?

[@ramfrancisuk]

This is a bloody stupid place to put a battery. Definitely over engineered and as you say - all to get you to visit the dealer. Excellent video

[@RichieRich845]

Even more stupid is putting the shifter next to the steering wheel, in Australia that is where the indicator to turn left or right. My neighbour has a Mercedes when he wants to turn left he ends up putting it in park, he drives two cars which adds more to the confusion as the Audi has the indicator in the normal spot. Shifters should be on the centre console!

[@rafaelrjarquin]

@@RichieRich845 all japanese or German cars I had the blinkers at the left, and most trucks shifter is on the column. So it's very normal for me.

[@rafaelrjarquin]

He's doing it all wrong, this can be done in 5 minutes removing only 5-6 torx screws.

[@jimmyk287]

Fucking car! I don't want to buy! never ever!

[@Tyche.Crypto]

@@jimmyk287 I did :(((

[@sqballtn]

Really good video, definitely help me save a lot of money on labor cost. 👍👍👍

[@jamecianataye7688]

Thank you. This video was very helpful! And, yes it saved me a lot of money as well!

[@piraltas]

Thank you so much for your full explained video I just went to this crazy mercedes repair which should take 20 seconds if german engineers allow us to do so lol😂

[@A.Musa76]

The main function of the Aux Battery is to provide voltage to "stop start" function (support the main battery). In this case if your main battery is dead you have the Aux battery (secondary) to back it up until you can get the main battery charged or replace.

[@cbd72558]

Good video, WELL-DETAILED. Mercedes Benz could have designed it better for easier access

[@martyculleton3973]

Unnecessary. Save yourself all this disassembly and find the other video where you just make two angular 8" cuts in the carpet just below the access panel. Peel it back and you have full access to this battery. I just did it on a 2014 Mercedes ML350. Thanks to the OP here for showing me I didn't want to go through all this pain!

[@youtuberAstar]

Really appreciate your video. SO helpful. Thanks from New Zealand. 10/10.

[@volvosweden]

Glad It was helpful

[@WaltonPete]

That auxiliary battery is identical to the type commonly used in burglar alarms. It would, no doubt, be much cheaper from such a supplier. It's just a sealed 12 volt 1.2Ah lead acid battery, after all.

[@davidjacobs8558]

only problem is that the Positive and Negative leads are reversed on most 3rd party batteries. you have to cross the wires when you install auxiliary battery made by 3rd party manufacturer.

[@kenarai7940]

Thanks for uploading this video, I could change the battery with no problem! Your explanation was very accurate!! Cheers!

[@aceavram712]

Your a LEGEND! Thank you bratko. I had same issue and didn’t believe that simple solution would fix it and thought Mercedes was about to bend me over to repair problem. Turned out my battery was 7 years old and once replaced it all worked perfectly. I owe you bottle of vodka 😀

[@livinglakenorman]

I am getting my batteries replaced in a couple of days to test this idea since I'm having the same issue. My batteries are TEN years old. My Mercedes mechanic told me it would cost $6K to repair (new wiring harness, transmission computer, etc). The batteries cost $600 for both. I hope it works.

[@sabinmari17]

@@livinglakenorman did it work for you? Reason I am asking is because In my case I think it all started with a short from a melted wire harness for the parking lights…so I am not sure if it is just the batteries…

[@livinglakenorman]

Yes, it worked for me! Once both batteries were replaced I never had another issue with it not going into drive or any other gear. I think it’s crazy that my Mercedes repair shop didn’t know this or even think to try it before I read this blog! They said they replace the computer every time…@$5k!!!!

[@MoeWdd]

Thank u so much, the same thing has happened to me my car wouldn’t shift at all smh 😢!!! Thanks again

[@robertwebster4189]

Great video guys, this was very helpful

[@Supermuzchina85]

Your car wasn't shifting in gear because main battery was already bad and voltage value before starting engine was not high enough for transmission comp to operate so it went to limp mode.

[@shahinir]

Thank you 😊 I was wondering what that extra red tipped thing is, thanks for explaining its the vent hose

[@SilvrLadee]

Thank you. I 've recently couldn't shift and my key fob was not unlocking the door which I replaced that battery. I had a slow turnover on starting and then it died with dashboard telling me the AUX battery low and do not try to shift. I cut the car off because it would not shift and waited about 5 secs and it started up fine. I have 60% on the under seat AU battery and we didn;t know anything about this one inside the rear trunk wall which from your video appears to be the one that is causing the issues because my Lidgate is damage and will not close properly & I am waiting for my auto repair shop to paint it so we can have it installed. This video is very helpful!. Should I assume the under the seat AUX battery that's 60% is being drained by this 12v one?

[@SilvrLadee]

BTW mine is a 2012 Bluetec ML350

[@dienauto4087]

Money money all these stupid useless operations to justify price. Keep it simple dear Mercedes. Great video thanks.

[@redlinenissan]

can you please do a video on how to remove the tail lights from these vehicles. My led turn signal went out and dont know how to remove the tail ight. thanks.

[@tpmbe]

Fantastic video..thank you...all the best

[@Brayne01]

The W166 gives a warning message when the auxiliary battery is weak. Then, little by little non-critical features like cruise control will stop working (but distance radar will still work because its critical). I suppose that when you reach the point of not being able to select gears, the battery must have been weak for a while.

[@DanielSon69]

Doesn’t surprise me, this ML looks to be 4 months overdue for service.

[@ryandreier5951]

Just sold a repair to a 17 gle350, same battery setup, today and watched my technician, last car of the day by the way, sweat trying to do this without cutting the mat. Ultimately he said the cover plate goes over it and he decided to cut it. But boy did my jaw drop when i heard Volvesweden say, the matting had been cut in a previous install. How is Benz going to make a car where you literally have to cut the customer's interior with a knife in order to do a battery install for them?

[@desmondtay5150]

My GL350 has the same exact battery locations, really a pain to access them. I have a totally flat battery due to travel restriction and not able to come back in time. Managed to jump start with a power bank, let it idle charging for an hour then connect a Ctek MXS3.8 charger for 3days totally charged, but am having ALL fault codes poping out on the dashboard, all meters are not functioning, including speedometer, rpm, temp, etc, gear shifter works but not displaying on the dashboard. Same incident happened last year also due to covid, sent to workshop to reset all codes, but now still figuring out how to clear those codes :( great video as not many info on how to get access to the battery, the aux battery is way way too much work.

[@po.mk.br.mk.yzfffffff]

Great video, so what is the price by hour for installation of battery from Mercedes?

[@worldfitnesstrainerradekve9234]

Wow that much work just to get to the auxiliary battery 🙈 I got older model 2007 and my auxiliary battery 🔋 is right behind my main battery under the passenger seat. I see on your car here a little entrance panel right above the auxiliary battery 🔋 I’d think that’s the purpose of the entrance for replacing the auxiliary battery.I’d try that first . Before removing all trunk . If not Id just cut around it like you do for the battery under the seat when you first replace the battery it requires to cut the carpet 🤷🏻‍♂️ not sure why you need cut into carpet instead make it already accessible 🤪It would be very expensive to replace the auxiliary battery by the dealership 💀If customers has to go trough that much work as you guys did 🧟‍♂️ good job tho 👌🏼

[@gangzhao2256]

at 12:01, to feed the power. If you cannot move the passenger seat forward and upward even if the power was fed at positive and negative terminals. Can you still change the main battery? My ML350 has no power now and even with the power feed, the seat cannot be motivated.

[@mudyeamos6355]

The you would have to remove the seat

[@rafaelrjarquin]

I had similar problem, car will act up and can't shift out of drive and can't turn off the car. Find out it was corrosion in the radar sensors, in the back bumper.

[@Lonnie91a]

That looks like a big rectangular inspection panel or door right above where the battery is. Doesn’t that open up? Sure looks like it does or why would the carpet side panel have that square cut into it. Looks like a little door.

[@srqbayer]

Yes u can open it and battery right there. Impossible to get to it though. I double sticked new battery on a top of the old one. Thankfully wires are long enough

[@johncalderon839]

Nice good to know thank you for making this videos 📹..thank you

[@astraltraveler257]

thank you. the 2014 is even more difficult.

[@brianszuch6774]

did you test old battery before swapping parts? What about the ISM?

[@volvot6660]

Nice video. Love this type mercedes.But battery place is not good lmao.

[@garrikbecker9348]

I don't understand why they occupied all the cladding and to get this battery, if there is a specially serving window there that you could reach out, pull out the battery and replace.

[@mazdaprotege8808]

I have a 2006 won’t drive either way but does show it is changing to drive and reverse but doesn’t move. It has a code for pressure to high and three wheel speed sensors and a can code

[@reys_live7243]

Did you use a battery trickle charger to hit reset the setting when unplugged the battery???

[@dougharmon6222]

Great job on vid

[@anthonyaztiptoenailsandspa7259]

The Mercedes engineers are not stupid. They did this on purpose.

[@davidjacobs8558]

they made sure to screw the customers and enrich the dealerships and themselves.

[@daniellozan350]

Yes totally garbage... i am glad i sold mine

[@melo3310]

Thank you for this video it helped me

[@commodoreredrum7882]

Do you need to feed power to the terminals under the hood while changing out the main battery? Is there repercussions if this is not done?

[@Brayne01]

Most likely you will loose all sort of memorized parameters, in best case only radiostations, seat positions, but maybe also the service interval. Cars are now computers on wheels.

[@johnmayr5194]

Hi, While you give power with the Volvo battery, you did not disconnect the battery from MB while changing with the new one? since I guess you could done this to prevent system failure not recognizing the system if you switch off the power, yes?

[@howardosagie61]

Great job 👏 👍 👌 🙌 😀.

[@andyctk6749]

Thanks for the share. Nice Job

[@uslandmanagement1]

Mine will shift out of park if I shut off and restart the engine. Does this sound like the aux battery? If so, can I temporarily jump the aux battery from the main battery ?

[@volvosweden]

Aux battery. Replace it.

[@bekabeka71]

W166 is the most quite and comfortable suv

[@garybuchanan6062]

And that's why it costs $1000 to change a $12 battery.

[@banshee24full]

Crazy

[@fahadmuzaffar5535]

My car is not shifting after I drive it, it stucks in D, when I turn the car off and start the car it goes back to normal, what could be the problem?

[@pspgamerserjio]

All this just to drive your car again, nice job mercedes 👏

[@FMSFMS-q4z]

Grateful video 👍

[@mattward330]

So the panel opening on right rear doesn't reach battery?

[@pedrotalavera3541]

Thanks fo this video. Great info

[@unclesam1707]

Awesome job bud 👍 but do you know where the fuel pump location? I have the same car !!

[@Hi.Al.]

In fuel tank

[@rukis222]

hi nice video, do you know size off batterey ? i looking to change on my ml350 2012 , cheers

[@ruenjou]

The engineer who decided the placement of the aux battery was promoted to VP because the service revenue it generated for the company... Seriously, great video and terrible engineering.

[@greghavens7679]

damn good video, thanks! I will keep my comments about the engineering of that to myself. Other than, WTF!?!

[@amroal-saidy2035]

Hi. Can I contact you directly. I have 2010 ml350. It was stop for 1 year. But when I try to start it the battery was dead. I bring other battery and do contact with it. But the car no crank. Could you please help me what I have to do ?

[@ipropaving212]

Great video thanks

[@dimadunaev9336]

автору респект!

[@randolphrod9679]

Why you so worry about embarrassing situation? Video is ok, and thank you. don't worry that much for the people's opinions.

[@anthonyaztiptoenailsandspa7259]

How do you know when your aux is bad? Is 2018 gle 350 the same ?

[@volvosweden]

No idea. Sorry

[@wademiller5950]

Change my aux battery and the vehicle still stuck in park 2010 gl450 need help

[@jinxed_jinxed_3443]

Why 2 batteries in the first place ? I'm sure my Volvo XC60 hasn't got 2 batteries like this thank God, what a mess about.

[@volvosweden]

The small battery is for shifting and other that I don't know.

[@jinxed_jinxed_3443]

@@volvosweden I know the little one is for shifting, but why? can't the main battery be used for this in the first place? nothing like this in our Volvo's is there ?

[@volvosweden]

Mercedes has electronic shifter. If the main battery is dead and you need to shift to Neutral tou will not be able to. The small battery is there for that reason. That is my guess.

[@jinxed_jinxed_3443]

@@volvosweden hmm but if the small battery is dead you can't shift at all lol I think in the XC60 there is a small hole behind the rubber mat behind the "waterfall" thing, you can put your key in to shift the gear stick if being towed or the battery is dead.

[@mmbb001]

@@jinxed_jinxed_3443 It's true the XC60 has a hole and you can disengage the lever lock in order to shift to neutral. But if i understand it correctly the Mercedes has a fully electronic gear selector so some kind of actuators do the work. There is no mechanical linkage so you cannot do the same as in the XC60. I think it's an overcomplicated overengineered design in the Merc tho.

[@slam44]

Thank you

[@yogib37]

you took way too much apart, the access panel is right there take that out and may need to put a cut in the carpet but it is easier then doing all of that extra work. There is always more then one way.

[@Cmatt1299]

Could you not have opened that small door on the carpeted panel?

[@BiLoSellHigh]

Thank you , helpful

[@Mc_Gyver_007]

The battery must be registered to the car to tell the computer that is a new one so it will charge it accordingly

[@darylmorse]

Agreed, just ridiculous how inaccessible this battery is.

[@darmhok]

NEITHER BATTERY IS THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE BEING STUCK IN PARK. tHE PROBLEM IS ALMOST CERTAINLY A BAD CLOCK SPRING (MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN)

[@donofthedonmtb]

That is a burglar alarm or UPS type battery. Not very expensive, horrible thing they have done designing it like that.

[@cjpoppy7410]

My battery completely dead so I can't move seat up!!!!!! In a bind, have new battery only getting 12.3 on a jump!! Help!! Lol

[@Mach141]

That looks exactly like a trailer battery to operate the emergency brakes, try a trailer supply store. the main battery is to hard to get to. I think I may reconsider my plan to buy one of these and stick to my Japanese cars, ridiculous

[@terrythompson9301]

Mercedes-Benz engineers have not engineered their cars smartly they have engineered them to be the most difficult vehicles to work on everything you try to fix is hard I’ve never seen anything quite like them it must be their way of getting back For us kicking their ass in World War II

[@Mc_Gyver_007]

Mercedes are so complicated to work one! All access to replace parts are complicated! Just to replace the air filter il takes 3 hours to remove a lot of parts on the engine bay before being able to replace the filter...

[@cesarbojorquez7418]

So it was not shifting but never got an error code about battery malfunction?

[@200hit]

What a horrible design.. Mercedes need to do better... You are pushing me more to Lexus.... Scotty Kilmer was right! Reve up your engines!!

[@apc4y]

Lot of work to change flamming batteries

[@steveelim]

What a ridiculous process to replace the aux battery!

[@joelongueira6816]

Omg if you just took the left panel out you had access to the battery bud🤯

[@joelongueira6816]

Correction if you removed the small square on your right side without Disassembly of the entire real lol omg I feel horrible you had to remove all that stuff I was yelling at the screen.

[@lenniebruce]

Looks a cheaper car compared to your Volvo, build and design doesn’t look as solid.

[@volvosweden]

I drive that ML or sometimes am a passenger and it is well built actually. It's super quiet, it has lots of power and that diesel engine you can hardly tell its diesel. Of course it has its downsides but I prefer a Volvo.

[@shifal0h]

Неужели эту мелкую батарейку никак не вынуть через крышку которая над ней? Та через которую лампы менять?

[@bobbinsnest]

Stupid Mercedes. I hope Volvo is not like this.

[@helgelassesen6019]

Why did you connect your Volvo battery? Only for adjusting the seat as the MB battery was flat, or is there any problems in connection with disconnecting the main battery from the car.?

[@volvosweden]

For seat adjustment. The battery was flat and did not even charge using external charger

[@paolodelloste6210]

My battery auxiliary is 3 times more big...

[@sufianosman692]

There are many cars better than Mercedes and have higher technology and they using just one battery for all operations . Thats why i hate german cars. So complicated. Do i have to take off the whole parts just to replace the battery??? These small details makes Volvo best car in the world.

[@CooterMolot]

Don’t put it back in original spot. Lengthen the wires and install in an easier location. Ffs

[@talalalqadasi2128]

Да на хуи , сколько надо чтоб найти эту патарие. Спасибо ребята за хороший обисниние.

[@volvosweden]

После замены уже сколько времени прошло, проблем не было.

[@talalalqadasi2128]

@@volvosweden да точно, спасибо.

[@talalalqadasi2128]

Мой автомобильный аккумулятор разрядился, и я не могу сдвинуть сиденье, чтобы добраться до аккумулятора, вы можете мне помочь?

[@talalalqadasi2128]

Моя машина Мерседес 350 мл 2009 года выпуска.

[@worldpeace5853]

Why not just do like this in a simple way for the auxiliary battery replacement? - kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4XNhXmdrZeMsNU

[@java787]

German’s cars!

[@urielfrancis4356]

All this work just to remove s battery 😳 hell nah

[@terrythompson9301]

I would buy a American made SUV any day then I would a high dollar so-called great Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz are not made for a poor person although we have to get them when they rich throw them out and then we have to work on them they are very hard to work on

[@jackpwc01]

This Mercedes is made in Alabama!

[@바람파도-p4j]

배터리 더럽게 설치 해놨네

[@terrythompson9301]

My daughter owns a 450 GL it is the hardest vehicle I have ever worked on in my life Mercedes-Benz sucks their engineers are not very smart it is made for a rich man to spend money at a dealer

[@nicolaiefilip3790]

romana

[@bigtastyspb3205]

Какой ужас. Твой английский еще хуже чем твой русский.

[@volvosweden]

То что есть. Извините.

[@srqbayer]

Stupid , typical савок statement.

[@FockewulfAz]

Amazing video! Thank you!

[@Elvis20101]

Thank you