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Camshaft position (camshaft Hall sensor)
Knock identification:
Engine 104, 111, 112, 113, 119, 120 by means of knock sensors Engine 137 by ionic current
measurement
Engine temperature (coolant temperature sensor)
Engine load (hot film air flow sensor or pressure sensor on supercharged engines)
Accelerator pedal position (accelerator pedal sensor)
Precontrol by means of automatic RON switch (internal)
Output signals:
Cylinder specific ignition angle correction on the calculated map value of the ME control unit.
Ignition angle emergency mode if fault identified.
Basic function
The anti-knock control is active from a coolant temperature of 70 °C. If knocking is detected at a cylinder above
an engine load of approx. 40%, its ignition angle is retarded from the next ignition by about 2.3° crank angle
(e.g. M119) or by about 3.0° crank angle (e.g. M120). If knocking continues to be detected, the ignition angle is
continuously retarded in steps of 2.3° crank angle (e.g. M119) until the maximum retardation is reached
(approx. 10 to 15° crank angle, depending on engine speed). In addition, the automatic RON switch influences
the maximum retarding of the ignition timing - the higher the selected RON stage, the less is the maximum
retarding of the ignition timing.
If knocking-free combustion exists, the retardation is reduced in steps of approx. 0.75° crank angle after a few
ignitions (depending on engine speed) until the map value (a) is achieved, or knocking once again occurs.
Adaptation of anti-knock control
The adaptation of the anti-knock control is active from a coolant temperature of approx. 75 °C. Any corrections
required to the ignition angle because of knocking combustion are constantly detected for the specific cylinder
and stored together with the relevant operating state of the engine (engine load/speed range).
The stored adaptation value is taken into account in the output of the individual cylinder angle so that each
cylinder is immediately operated with the optimal ignition angle.
During abrupt acceleration, no values are stored for about 2 seconds in order to avoid any incorrect adaptation
values.
Faults in the case of knocking detection
If no signals are received from the knock sensors or from the ionic current measurement, the ignition angle of
all the c
ylinders is retarded, for safety reasons, by as much as approx. 11° crank angle depending on engine
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 ENGINE Electrical System - Engine - 163 Chassis
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speed and temperature. The anti-knock control and the adaptation are deactivated and a fault is stored.
Automatic RON switch
In addition to the RON correction using the HHT, the anti-knock control features an automatic RON switch.
This detects a persistent high knocking tendency of the engine and assists the anti-knock control by means of an
appropriate pre-control.
This is done by analyzing the stored adaptation values, the ignition angles of all the cylinders and the number of
control interventions in certain engine load and speed ranges. Depending on the threshold which has been
exceeded, the RON value is adjusted by one or several stages. The value is retained until the engine is switched
off.
After engine start, only the RON correction which is carried out by means of the HHT/STAR DIAGNOSIS is at
first active.
KNOCK SENSORS, LOCATION - GF15.12-P-4101-01A
Crankshaft position sensor,
location/task/ design/function GF07.04-P-4116F
Camshaft Hall sensor,
location/task/design/ function GF07.04-P-4117F
Knock sensors,
location/task/design/function GF15.12-P-4101F
Coolant temperature sensor,
location/task/ design/functionEngine 119, 120GF07.04-P-5026F
Engine 104, 111GF07.04-P-5026G
Engine 112, 113, 137GF07.04-P-5026A
Hot film mass air flow sensor,
location/task/ design/functionEngine 119, 120 (round
connector)GF07.07-P-4118E
Engine 104, 111, 112,
113, 137GF07.07-P-4118G
Engine 111 EVOGF07.07-P-4118GS
Pedal value sensor,
location/task/design/ function GF30.20-P-4011L
ME-SFI control unit
position/task/design/ function GF07.61-P-5000F
Engine 111 EVOGF07.61-P-5000GS
ME-SFI synchronizing fuel
injection and firing order function GF07.61-P-4009F
Engine 111 EVOGF07.61-P-4009GS
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
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Page 2179 of 4133
Fig. 16: Identifying Knock Sensors - Engine 112
KNOCK SENSORS, LOCA TION - GF15.12-P-4101-01B
Fig. 17: Identifying Knock Sensors - Engine 113
KNOCK SENSORS, FUNCTION - GF15.12-P-4101-02KE
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 ENGINE Electrical System - Engine - 163 Chassis
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Page 2180 of 4133
Fig. 18: Identifying Knock Sensors Oscilloscope Signals
Any vibrations which occur are converted with the aid of the piezo ceramic into electrical signals.
Piezo-electric effect: If a mechanical force acts on a crystal, electrical voltages are produced.
Knock sensor signals may also indicate engine damage, e.g. increased engine noise resulting from a widened
piston groove.
KNOCK SENSORS, LOCATION/TASK/DESIGN/FUNCTION - GF15.12-P-4101F
ENGINE 104.941 /942 /943 /944 /945 /991 /992 /994 /995
ENGINE 111.921 /943 /944 /945 /946 /947 /960 /961 /970 /973 /974 /975 /977
ENGINE 111.942 as of 1.6.96
ENGINE 111.951 /952 /955 /956 /957 /958 /982 /983
ENGINE 119.980 /981 /982 /985
ENGINE 120.982/983
ENGINE
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
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112.910 /911 /912 /913 /914 /916 /917 /920 /921 /922 /923 /940 /941 /942 /943 /944 /946 /947 /949 /953 /954 /95
ENGINE 113.940 /941 /942 /943 /948 /960 /961 /963 /965 /966 /967 /968 /969
ENGINE 166.940 /960 /990 /995
Fig. 19: Identifying Knock Sensors
STARTER CONTROL, FUNCTION - GF15.30-P-3000GA
ENGINE 111.921 /942 as of 1.9.98,
111.943 /944 /946 /947 /973 with CODE (423a) 5-speed automatic transmission (new-generation)
ENGINE 111.945
in MODEL 208.335 /435 as of 1.6.98,
Knock sensors, locationEngine 104GF15.12-P-4101-01D
Engine 111GF15.12-P-4101-01G
Engine 112GF15.12-P-4101-01A
Engine 113GF15.12-P-4101-01B
Engine 119GF15.12-P-4101-01E
Engine 120GF15.12-P-4101-01F
Engine 166GF15.12-P-4101-01GC
Knock sensors, taskThe knock sensor detects
vibrations at the crankcase.
Knock sensors, designThe knock sensor is a self-
contained system. Inside
the sensor are piezo
crystals. The screened
cable is fitted directly onto
the knock sensor.
Knock sensors, function GF15.12-P-4101-02KE
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Page 2182 of 4133
202.020 /080 as of 1.9.98 with CODE (423a) 5-speed automatic transmission (new-generation)
ENGINE 111.974
with CODE (423a) 5-speed automatic transmission (new-generation)
with CODE (494a) USA version
with CODE (807) Model year 1997
with CODE (808) Model year 1998
ENGINE 111.975 as of 1.8.96 with CODE (423a) 5-speed automatic transmission (new-generation)
ENGINE
112.910 /911 /912 /913 /914 /916 /917 /920 /921 /922 /923 /940 /941 /942 /943 /944 /946 /947 /949 /953 /954 /9
5
with CODE (423a) 5-speed automatic transmission (new-generation)
ENGINE 113.940 /941 /942 /943 /948 /960 /961 /963 /965 /966 /967 /968 /969 with CODE (423a) 5-speed
automatic transmission (new-generation)
ENGINE 120.983 as of 1.6.98
ENGINE 137.970
Fig. 20: Identifying Starter Function Components
- Shown On Engine 111
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Page 2183 of 4133

Task
After engine start speed is reached, interrupt the circuit (circuit 50) M1 to the solenoid switch of the starter.
Design
The solenoid switch of the starter is operated not through the ignition/ start switch S2/1, but in drive position P
or N through the starter relay, by the engine control unit.
The voltage for the starter relay (coil) is supplied through circuit 87. The starter relay is actuated by the engine
control unit through GND.
Function
When the ignition/start switch is operated in the start position, the engine control unit activates an automatic
start control. Once the engine start speed of 400 to 700 rpm is reached, the engine control unit interrupts the
ground actuation to the starter relay and thus the engine start operation.
Once the engine start operation is initiated, shutting off circuit 50 at the ignition/start switch has no effect. The
starter rotates until the specified start speed is reached, or for about 5 seconds at an engine temperature of +80 °
C, for a maximum of 10 seconds if the engine is cold.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
SAFETY INFORMATION: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ENGINE - AS15.00-Z-9999ZZ
MODEL all
Motor electronics control unit,
location/task/ design/function GF07.61-P-5000F
HFM-SFI control unit,
location/task/design/ function GF07.51-P-4103D
Crankshaft position sensor,
location/task/ design/function GF07.04-P-4116F
Start recognition functionEngine 104,, 111, 112,
113, 137 (via terminal 50)GF07.13-P-3014G
Engine 119, 120 (via
engine speed signal)GF07.13-P-3014F
ETC control unit, location/taskSelector lever position
information P/N and
driving position engaged.
Transmission 722.6GF27.19-P-4012G
Electronic ignition switch
control unit, location/
task/design/functionModel 202 as of 6/97, 208,
210 as of 3/97GF80.57-P-4102A
Model 215, 220GF80.57-P-4102S
Model 203, 209GF80.57-P-4102PP
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RISK OF DEATH CAUSED BY CONTACT WITH PARTS CONDUCTING HIGH VOLTAGES. - AS15.10-Z-0001-01A
Do not touch parts which conduct high voltages. Persons who wear electronic implants (e.g. heart
pacemakers) must not carry out work on the ignition system
Risk of death caused by high voltages in the ignition system
Electronic ignition systems operate within a hazardous power range both on the low voltage side (primary
circuit) as well as on the high voltage side (secondary circuit). Contacts with such parts can result in burns,
heart flutter or cardiac arrest.
Fig. 21: High Voltage Warning
Safety instructions/precautions
Persons with heart pacemakers must not perform any work on the ignition system.
Switch ignition off before commencing any work on the ignition system.
Do not touch or dismantle components of ignition system when working on running or rotating engine
with cranking speed.
Wear safety shoes (with rubber soles).
Detach the crankshaft position sensor connection either at the control unit or at the position sensor.
Do not install any electrically conducting, un-insulated adapters or installation sensors into the ignition
cable.
Risk of death caused by
coming into contact with
high-voltage parts although
ignition is turned off.ENGINE 137 ENGINE
275 ENGINE 285AS15.15-Z-0001-01A
Risk of death caused by
contact with parts
conducting high voltages.ENGINE 103, 104, 111,
112, 113, 119, 120, 122,
132, 134, 135, 137, 155,
156, 160, 166, 266, 271,
272, 273, 275, 285, 613,
628, 629, 642, 646, 648,
902, 906...AS15.10-Z-0001-01A
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