Page 1201 of 4133

Shift-Lock, Function 
 
See SHIFT
-LOCK FUNCTION. 
Park Pawl Interlock, Function 
 
See PARK PAWL INTERLOCK, FUNCTION
. 
Steering Lock Interlock, Function 
 
See STEERING LOCK INTERLOCK, FUNCTION
. 
Survey Of System Components, Automatic Transmission, Location/Task/Design/Function 
 
See SURVEY OF SYSTEM COMPONENTS, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, 
LOCATION/TASK/DESIGN/FUNCTION.  
Automatic Transmission, Function 
Automatic transmission 722.6 is an electronically controlled 5-speed transmission with a lockup clutch in the 
torque converter. 
The ratios for the gear stages are achieved by three planetary gear sets. The 5th gear is designed with a step-up 
ratio as an overdrive. 
Shifting is initiated electronically. The gears are shifted by the corresponding combination of three 
hydraulically actuated multi-disc clutches and two mechanical freewheels. 
Basically automatic transmission 722.6 with electronic control offers the following advantages:  
Reduced Fuel Consumption  
Improved Shift Comfort  
More Favorable Gear Steps As A Result Of 5 Gears  
Enhanced Life And Reliability  
Reduced Servicing Costs  
The electrohydraulic control unit is bolted onto the bottom of the transmission housing. The end of the 
transmission is formed by an oil pan made of sheet steel. 
The oil pressure for the converter lockup clutch and center multiple-disc clutch is supplied via holes in the input 
shaft. The oil pressure to the rear mulitiple-disc clutch is routed through the output shaft. The lubricating oil is 
supplied and distributed by additional bore holes in both shafts. All bearing points of the gear sets as well as 
freewheels and shift elements are supplied with lubricatin
g oil. NOTE: Transmission Without Touch Shift 722.6 In Model 163.
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Complete Transmissions - ML 320 - 722.662  
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        Page 1202 of 4133

The parking lock gear and drive flange are connected to the output shaft by gearing. 
Freewheels F1 and F2 optimize shifting. The front freewheel (F1) rests against the stator shaft extension on the 
transmission side and connects the sun gear of the front planetary gear set tot the transmission housing in the 
locking direction. 
The torque converter housing and transmission housing are made of a metal alloy. They are bolted together and 
centered via the outer multiple-disc carrier of the multiple-disc brake B1. A coated intermediate panel seals the 
two components. 
The oil pump and outer multiple-disc carrier of the front multiple-disc brake are bolted to the converter housing. 
The mechanical part consists of the propeller shaft, output shaft, a sun gear shaft and three planetary gearsets 
which are coupled together. 
In transmissions for powerful engines, the planetary gearsets have 4 planetary gears, while for less powerful 
engines the front and rear planetary gear system has three planetary gear wheels. The stator shaft is pressed into 
this and is secured against turning by a spline. 
The rear freewheel (F2) connects the sun gear of the center planetary gear set to the sun gear of the rear 
planetary gearset in the locking direction. 
The electrohydraulic control unit consists of the shift plate made of light alloy for hydraulic control and an 
electronic control unit. 
The electrical control unit consists of a supporting body made of plastic in which the electrical components are 
combined. The shell is screwed tot he shift plate. Conductor tracks which are integrated into the shell, connect 
the electric components to a plug connector. This 13-pin plug connector forms the connection with the vehicle-
side wiring harness and with the ETC 5 (Electronic Transmission Control) control module (N15/5) via a 
bayonet lock. 
Automatic Transmission, Location Of Mechanical Parts 
 
See AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, LOCATION OF MECHANICAL PARTS
. 
Automatic Transmission, Location Of Electric/Electronic Components 
 
See AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, LOCATION OF ELECTRIC/ELECTRONIC 
COMPONENTS. 
Automatic Transmission, Location Of Hydraulic Components 
 
See AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POSITION OF HYDRAULIC COMPONENTS
. 
Automatic Transmission, Location Of Components, Floor Shift 
 
See AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, LOCATION OF COMPONENTS, FLOOR SHIFT
. 
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Complete Transmissions - ML 320 - 722.662  
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        Page 1203 of 4133
Automatic Transmission, Selector Lever Positions 
 
See AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SELECTOR LEVER POSITIONS
. 
Automatic Transmission, Gear Ratios 
 
See AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, GEAR RATIOS
. 
Power Transmission, Function 
 
See AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRANSMISSION, FUNCTION
. 
Gearshift System, Function 
 
See FUNCTION OF GEAR SHIFT
. 
Hydropneumatic Transmission Control, Function 
 
See HYDROPNEUMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL, FUNCTION
. 
Shift-Lock, Function 
 
See SHIFT
-LOCK FUNCTION.  
Park Pawl Interlock, Function 
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Complete Transmissions - ML 320 - 722.662  
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        Page 1204 of 4133
Fig. 19: Park Pawl  Interlock, Function  
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.    
Operation     
The parking lock interlock prevents una  uthorized release of the parking lock.
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Complete Transmissions - ML 320 - 722.662  
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        Page 1205 of 4133

If the parking lock is engaged, the ignition key has been removed and the service brake is not activated, the 
locking pawl (39) blocks the detent plate (38). See Fig. 19
. The park pawl cannot be released. The park pawl 
can only be released by turning the ignition key to position "1" and pressing the brake pedal. Starting from 
ignition key position "1" the locking cam (61) in the steering lock releases the control cable (53). When the 
brake pedal is depressed, the lock lever (55) and roller (58) are twisted down, the return spring at the brake 
pedal (57) is tensionsed and the release lever (56) is released. 
The force of the pressure spring (64) is now applied via the cables (53, 54) against the lesser force of the 
pressure spring (62) and pulls the locking valve (60) in front of the contour of the locking cam (61). The locking 
pawl (39) is simultaneously turned via the link rod and lifts up off the detent plate (38). 
The parking lock can now be released. 
The design of the parking lock interlock is the same as for the steering lock interlock and it functions with 
reciprocal action to the steering lock interlock. 
Steering Lock Interlock, Function 
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Complete Transmissions - ML 320 - 722.662  
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        Page 1206 of 4133
Fig. 20: Steering Lock Interlock, Function  
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMI  SSIONS Complete Transmissions - ML 320 - 722.662  
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        Page 1207 of 4133

Operation  
The steering lock interlock prevents the ignition key being removed when the parking lock is not engaged. 
The locking pawl (39) is positioned on the exterior contour of the detent plate (38) if the parking lock is not 
engaged and if the brake pedal is not depressed. See Fig. 20
. 
The cables (53, 54) hold the locking valve (60) in its position in front of the locking cam (61) against the force 
of the pressure spring. Therefore, the ignition key cannot be turned to the "0" position. 
In selector lever position "P" and with the brake pedal in the rest position, the force of the return spring (57) can 
pull the locking pawl (39) under the stop at the detent plate (38) and the pressure spring (62) simultaneously 
pulls the locking valve (60) away from the locking cam (61). 
The ignition key can now be turned to the "0" position and removed from the ignition. 
The design of the parking lock interlock is the same as for the steering lock interlock and it functions with 
reciprocal action to the steering lock interlock. 
Parking Lock, Location/Task/Design/Function 
 
See PARKING LOCK, LOCATION/TASK/DESIGN/FUNCTION
.  
Parking Lock, Location/Task/Design/Function 
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Complete Transmissions - ML 320 - 722.662  
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        Page 1208 of 4133
Fig. 21: Parking Lock 
Courtesy of MERCEDES BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA 
Park Pawl, Location 
 
The park pawl gear (4) and park pawl mechanism (4b) are located in he rear section of the transmission 
housing. See Fig. 21
. 
Park Pawl, Task 
 
In addition to the parking brake, the park pawl provides extra mechanical security against the vehicle 
rolling away. 
Park Pawl, Design 
 
See PARK PAWL, DESIGN
. 
Park Pawl, Function 
 
See PARK PAWL, FUNCTION
.  
Park Pawl, Design 
 
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
1998-03 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS Complete Transmissions - ML 320 - 722.662  
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:15:26 PMPage 39 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.