Page 3329 of 4133

Fig. 70: Identifying Refrigerant Circuit Function (Model 163 Up To 31.8.01 With Code (580) Air
Conditioning Or Tempmatic For USA)
The refrigerant compressor (1) driven by motor compresses the gaseous refrigerant, which is thereby heated up
and routed to the condenser (2).
The condenser's (2) surface withdraws the refrigerant's compression heat. When cooling down the refrigerant
liquefies.
When flowing through the fluid reservoir (3) the refrigerant is purified of any chemicals and mechanical
impurities and the water in the refrigerant is separated and collected.
The expansion valve (4) injects the cooled down and liquefied refrigerant in the evaporator (5), which is located
in the fresh air flow. Here the refrigerant is vaporized. This vaporization process then withdraws heat from the
blow-by fresh air which comes in from outside over the pipe and monolith systems with the result that it cools
down.
The humidity carried along with it is converted to condensed water which is routed to the outside. The air is
dried.
The refrigerant compressor (1) draws in the refrigerant which has turned gaseous on account of the heat
absorption and compresses it again.
When the engine is running and the blower switched on, the passenger compartment can have cool air supplied
to it by various outlet nozzles. The intensity of the cooling process depends on the previously set in-car
temperature and the blower output.
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 85 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 3330 of 4133

REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT, FUNCTION - GF83.40-P-2001GI
MODEL 163 as of 1.9.01 with code (580a) Automatic air conditioning
Auxiliary fan, location/task/function Engines 111.977, 112.942GF83.40-P-
2162GH
Electric fan motor/air conditioning,
location/task/function Engines 113.942/981 and
612.963GF83.40-P-
2151GH
Condenser position/task/function GF83.40-P-
2152GC
Evaporator, location/purpose/design/function GF83.40-P-
2121GC
Fluid reservoir (TAC), location/task/function GF83.30-P-
2120GC
Expansion valve, location/task/design/function GF83.40-P-
2123GC
Refrigerant pressure sensor, location/task/ function GF83.40-P-
2156GH
Refrigerant compressor, location/task/design/
function GF83.55-P-
2100GH
Air conditioning control module, location/task/
function GF83.30-P-
2102GH
All-activity module, location/task/design/ function GF54.21-P-
4110GH
Extended-activity module, position/task GF54.21-P-
4106GH
Extended-activity module, location/task/designas of 1.12.99GF54.21-P-
4107GK
CDI control module, location/task/function Engine 612.963GF07.16-P-
3102IA
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 86 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 3331 of 4133

Fig. 71: Identifying Refrigerant Circuit, Function (Model 163 As Of 1.9.01 With Code (580A) Automatic
Air Conditioning)
The refrigerant compressor driven by the motor compresses the gaseous refrigerant, which is thereby heated up
and routed to the condenser.
The refrigerant's compression heat is then withdrawn on the surface of the condenser. While cooling down, the
refrigerant liquefies.
When the refrigerant flows through the fluid reservoir it is cleansed of any chemical and mechanical impurities.
The water contained in the refrigerant is separated and collected.
The expansion valve sprays the cooled and liquefied refrigerant into the evaporator, which is located in the
fresh-air flow. Here the refrigerant is vaporized. Through this evaporation process heat is extracted from the
fresh air flowing past from outside over the tube and fin system so that air cools down.
The air humidity carried along is converted to condensed water, which escapes into the open. The air dries out.
The refrigerant compressor aspirates the refrigerant which has turned gaseous on account of the heat absorption
and then compresses it yet again.
When the engine is running and the blower switched on, the interior can be supplied with cooled air through the
various air outlets. Cooling intensity is dependent upon the preset in-car temperature and blower setting.
Engine 111.977, 112.942, 112.970
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 87 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 3332 of 4133

REAR VENTILATION CO NTROL PANEL, FUNCTION - GF83.40-P-2007GI
MODEL 163 as of 1.9.01 with CODE (580a) Automatic air conditioning
N72/2s3 Rear ventilation control panel
Auto button
Air distribution button
Blower button
Auxiliary fan, location/purpose/function
with code 580 up to 31.08.01
Engine 112.942, 112.970 with
code 580a as of 01.09.01GF83.40-P-
2162GH
Engine and AC electric su ction fan with integrated
control, location/purpose/function
Engine 113.942 with code 580a up
to 31.08.01
Engine 113.981, 113.965, 612.963,
628.963 with code 580a as of
01.09.01
GF83.40-P-
2172GI
Condenser, location/purpose/function GF83.40-P-
2152GC
Evaporator location/purpose/design/function GF83.40-P-
2121GC
Fluid reservoir, location/purpose/function GF83.40-P-
2153GI
Expansion valve, locati on/purpose/design/ function GF83.40-P-
2123GC
Refrigerant pressure and temperature sensor,
location/purpose/function GF83.40-P-
2171GI
Refrigerant compressor, location/purpose/
design/function GF83.55-P-
2100P
Control valve, location/purpose/function GF83.55-P-
2102P
Belt pulley, location/ purpose/design/function GF83.55-P-
2103P
Pressure relief valve, location/purpose/function GF83.55-P-
2104P
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 88 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 3333 of 4133

Fig. 72: Identifying Rear Ventilation Control Panel
The rear ventilation control panel (N 72/2s3) enables specific settings to be made for the rear compartment
ventilation system.
The following possibiliti es are available:
Setting air quantity by pressi ng the blower button ( )
Air distribution by pressing the air distribution button ( )
Automatic air distribution/blower speed by pressing the Auto button ( ) (Control through AAC push-
button control module (N22))
BLOWER BUTTON, FUNC TION - GF83.40-P-2100-01GI
The blower button ( ) switches a cont rol voltage of 0 - 6 V through to the rear compartment blower control
via the rear ventilation control panel (N72/2s3).
By using several blower steps it is possible to regulate the blower speed between 0-100 %.
The automatic blower function can be set by pressing th e Auto button, whereby control is assumed by the AAC
push-button control module (N22).
AIR DISTRIBUTION BUTTON FUNCTION - GF83.40-P-2101-01GI
Function
By pressing the air distribution button ( ) the rear pa ssenger compartment air distributor flap actuator
motor is regulated by the rear ventil ation control panel. The rear passenger compartment air distributor flap
actuator motor drives the rear passenger compartment ai r distributor flap, which can route the air into two
directions.
Blower button position/task/function GF83.40-P-2144GI
Air distribution button, location/task/function GF83.40-P-2159GI
Auto button, location/task/function GF83.40-P-2147GJ
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 89 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 3334 of 4133

Air distribution button ( ) = air duc ting to rear compartment nozzle
Air distribution button ( ) = air ducting to the air outlets in the rear footwell
The automatic air distribution function can be set by pr essing the Auto button, whereby control is assumed by
the AAC push-button c ontrol module (N22).
RECIRCULATING AIR PU SH-BUTTON, FUNCTION - GF83.40-P-2102-01GI
Function
A brief actuation (< 1.5 s) of the recirculating air pus h-button ( ) energizes the actuator motor for the fresh
air/recirculated air flap, whic h activates the fresh air/recirculated air fl ap and thus closes the fresh air duct and
opens the recirculation duct, in or der to enable the air supply from the passenger compartment. The function
LED illuminates during recirculation mode.
Recirculated air convenience closing function
If the recirculating air pus h-button ( ) is pressed for longer than > 2 s, then alongside the recirculation
function, all open windows and the sliding and tilting roof are automatically closed (window and sliding/
tilting roof must ha ve been normalized ). The function LED illuminates durin g recirculation mode. In order to
prevent any current peaks the sliding/tilting sunroof and power windows are actuated successively.
If the push-button is pressed again for > 2 s, the windows a nd the sliding/tilting sunroof return to the previously
stored position and the fresh air/ recirculated air flap moves to the fresh air position (LED off).
The convenience closing function can only be started if the recirculating LED is not illuminated.
Each window, which has been manually opened during the r ecirculation phase, remains in this position if the
recirculating function is cleared: all other windows move to the stor ed positions. The position of the
sliding/tilting sunroof prior to the st art of the closing operation and that of the side windows is stored in the
memory. The windows and the sliding/tilting sunroof wh ich have been closed by the convenience closing
function, remain closed if the recirculation push-
button was only pressed briefly (t < 1.5 s). In this case, only the
fresh air/recirculated air flap is moved to the fresh-air position. The stored positions are cleared when the
ignition is switched off.
AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING BOX FUNCTION - GF83.40-P-2105-02GI
Operating condition: Air ducting under heater operation
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 90 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 3335 of 4133

Fig. 73: Identifying Automatic Air Conditioning Box Function - Operating Condition Air Ducting Under
Heater Operation
Operating condition: HEATING Function
When in heating mode, the blower motor (5) draws in fresh air (A) to the automatic air conditioning box and
routes it through the multipurpose filter (3). The air cleaned by the multipurpose filter (3) is then routed to the
evaporator core (2) and dried there. The dried, cooled and filtered air (B) is then routed on through the heat
exchanger (1). This air conduction is controlled via the setting of the blending air flaps (6).
The dried, cooled and filtered air (B) is then heated up again in the hot heat exchanger (1). The warm air (C) is
routed via the air outlets (E, F, FR, M and S) into the vehicle interior.
The fresh air/recirculated air flap (4) is closed.
Operating condition: Air ducting in cooling mode
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 91 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 3336 of 4133

Fig. 74: Identifying Automatic Air Conditioning Box Function - Operating Condition Air Ducting In
Cooling Mode
Operating condition: cooling. Function
When in cooling mode, the blower motor (5) draws in fresh air (A) to the automatic air conditioning box and
routes it through the multipurpose filter (3). The air cleaned by the multipurpose filter (3) is then routed to the
evaporator core (2) and dried there. The dried, cooled and filtered air (B) is then routed around the heat
exchanger (1). This air conduction is controlled via the setting of the blending air flaps (6).
The dried, cooled and filtered air (B) is routed directly into the passenger compartment via the air outlets (E, F,
FR, M and S). The fresh air/recirculated air flap (4) is closed.
Operating condition: Air ducting in blending mode (hot/cold) closed-loop operation
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 92 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.