Page 3361 of 4133

Fig. 97: Identifying Button For Rear Area Air Distribution And Air Distribution Switch
SURVEY OF AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM COMPONENTS, LOCATION/PURPOSE/DESIGN/FUNCTION -
GF83.40-P-9990GI
MODEL 163 as of 1.9.01 with code (580a) Automatic air conditioning
Button for rear area air
distribution, locationThe button for rear area air distribution ( ) is located in the center in the
lower half of the air distribution switch (3) on the AAC push-button control
module (N22).
Button for rear area air
distribution, taskThe button for rear area air distribution ( ) blocks the rear blow-out ducts
for ventilation.
Button for rear area air
distribution, function
By pressing the button for rear area air distribution ( ) the rear air
distribution flap actuator motor (M2/21) is actuated and thus the air supply to
the air duct for rear area ventilation is closed.
Function feedback takes place by means of a red LED.
Air inlet, location/function GF83.10-P-
2138GC
Air ducts, location/purpose/design GF83.10-P-
2139GH
Rear vent, location/purpose/function GF83.10-P-
2143GC
Defroster vent, location/purpose/function GF83.10-P-
2144GC
Center nozzle, location/purpose/function GF83.10-P-
2149GC
Lateral nozzle, location/purpose/function GF83.10-P-
2150GC
Rear nozzle, location/purpose/design/function GF83.10-P-
2151GI
Front footwell air outlet, location/purpose/
function GF83.10-P-
2145GC
Rear footwell air outlet, location/purpose/ GF83.10-P-
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 117 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 3362 of 4133

function 2146GI
Blower motor,
location/purpose/design/function GF83.10-P-
2170GI
Blower regulator, location/purpose/function GF83.10-P-
2141GI
Rear blower motor, location/purpose/design/
function GF83.10-P-
2168GI
Rear electronic blower regulator, location/
purpose/function GF83.10-P-
2176GI
Combination filter, location/purpose/function GF83.10-P-
2128GI
Defroster vent flap actuator motor, location/
purpose/function GF83.10-P-
2175GI
Footwell flap actuator,
location/purpose/function GF83.10-P-
2132GI
Actuator motor, center nozzle flap, location/
purpose/function GF83.10-P-
2172GI
Actuator motor, rear shut-off flap, location/
purpose/function GF83.10-P-
2171GI
Actuator motor, rear air distribution flap,
location/purpose/function GF83.10-P-
2173GI
Heating system heat exchanger, location/
purpose/function GF83.20-P-
2108GC
Heating water circulation pump, location/
purpose/function GF83.20-P-
2109GI
Fresh air/recirculation flap, location/purpose/
function GF83.20-P-
2111GC
Fresh air/recirculation flap actuator, location/
purpose/function GF83.30-P-
2116GC
Blower switch,
location/purpose/design/function GF83.25-P-
2100GI
Blower button, location/purpose/functionRear ventilation operating moduleGF83.40-P-
2144GI
Air distribution switch,
location/purpose/design/ function GF83.25-P-
2101GI
Air distribution button,
location/purpose/functionRear ventilation operating moduleGF83.40-P-
2159GI
Temperature selector wheel, location/purpose/
design/function GF83.25-P-
2102GI
Defroster button, location/purpose/function GF83.40-P-
2139GI
Recirculating air push-button,
location/purpose/ function GF83.40-P-
2145GI
GF83.40-P-
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 118 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 3363 of 4133

Auto button, location/purpose/functionRear ventilation operating module
2147GI
GF83.40
-P-
2147GJ
AC OFF button, location/purpose/function GF83.40-P-
2107GI
Residual heat button,
location/purpose/function GF83.40-P-
2148GI
Rear compartment air distribution button,
location/purpose/function GF83.40-P-
2173GI
All-activity module,
location/purpose/function GF54.21-P-
4110GH
Air conditioner housing, location/purpose/
design/function GF83.40-P-
2105GI
Auxiliary fan, location/purpose/function
Engine 111.977, 112.942, 112.970
with code 580 up to 31.08.01
Engine 112.942, 112.970 with code
580a as of 01.09.01
GF83.40-P-
2162GH
Engine and AC electric suction 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 o
f
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, location/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
In-car temperature sensor location/purpose/
function GF83.57-P-
2115GI
Ice-up protection temperature sensor,
location/ purpose/function GF83.57-P-
2113GH
Blending air flap actuator, location/purpose/ GF83.57-P-
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 119 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 3364 of 4133

REFRIGERANT COMPRESSOR, LOCATION - GF83.55-P-2100-01GH
Illustrated up to 31.08.01
The refrigerant compressor (A9) is flanged to the engine at front left
Fig. 98: Identifying Refrigerant Compressor
REFRIGERANT COMPRESSOR, FUNCTION - GF83.55-P-2100-02A
function2112GI
Ambient air temperature sensor, location/
purpose/function GF83.57-P-
2119GI
Outlet air temperature sensor, center nozzle,
location/purpose/function GF83.57-P-
2116GI
Outlet air temperature sensor, front footwell,
location/purpose/function GF83.57-P-
2117GI
Outlet air temperature sensor rear, location/
purpose/function GF83.57-P-
2118GI
Sun sensor, location/purpose/function GF83.57-P-
2111GI
Electric heater booster, location/purpose/
design/functionEngine 612.963GF83.70-P-
4054GH
Extended activity module, location/purpose/
design GF54.21-P-
4107GK
CDI control module,
location/purpose/function GF07.16-P-
3102IA
Table of contents, automatic air conditioning
(AAC) function description GF83.40-P-
0999GI
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 120 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 3365 of 4133

Refrigerant compressor 7SB16C
Fig. 99: Identifying Refrigerant Compressor 7SB16C Components
Function
After the electromagnetic clutch (A9k1) has produced the frictional connection between the automotive engine
and the refrigerant compressor, the drive shaft (1) drives the swash plate (3). The rotation of the inclined swash
plate (3) causes the pistons (4) to move in strokes. During the intake stroke, refrigerant vapor is sucked in via
the inlet valve (6).
If the piston (4) moves in the counter direction, it delivers the refrigerant vapor via the pressure control valve
(7), with the vapor being compressed and heating up, into the refrigerant line to the capacitor. With refrigerant
compressor, model 7SB16C, the refrigerant vapor acts on the control valve (8.1) in the refrigerant compressor
for volume control.
Volume control in model 7SB16C
With a low engine speed, the efficiency of an air conditioning system is severely reduced by the low number of
working strokes of the refrigerant compressor and the reduced cooling of the refrigerant in the capacitor. In this
situation there is an increase in the thermal load. The refrigerant compressor is therefore designed so that it has
a sufficient delivery rate even at low rotational speeds.
With an increase in the engine speed and the vehicle speed, the thermal load drops and the delivery rate of the
refrigerant compressor increases. To prevent the refrigerant compressor now from consuming unnecessary
en
gine power and nevertheless to maintain the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant compressor reduces its power
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 121 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 3366 of 4133

from a maximum of 100 % to a minimum of 5 %.
Fig. 100: Identifying Refrigerant Compressor, Function
- (1 Of 2)
Function
100% power (I)
The conditions for full power are either a constantly low rotational speed or a high thermal load or both. The
high manifold air pressure C causes the control valve to close. This prevents steam from flowing between the
rear opening and the crankcase. There is always some flow through the transfer duct between the crankcase and
the inlet opening. Therefore, in the crankcase there is almost the same pressure B as on the inlet side C . As a
result, the swash plate is moved into the position for maximum volume. The angle between the swash plate and
the vertical is at its greatest. This results in a large stroke.
Power from 100% to 5% output ( II)
If the influencing conditions change in that the thermal load drops or the engine speed increases, the pressure on
the inlet side C drops and allows the control valve to open.
Then compressed refrigerant now flows from the rear opening to the crankcase. The pressure in the crankcase B
increases therefore and causes the swash plate to reduce its angle, which leads to a reduction in power.
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 122 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 3367 of 4133

Fig. 101: Identifying Refrigerant Compressor, Function - (2 Of 2)
Function
5% power (III)
If the engine speed is high or the thermal load is low, this results in a constantly low manifold air pressure C
which keeps the control valve open.
There is a flow from the high-pressure side A to the crankcase. The pressure in the crankcase B reaches a peak.
Consequently, the swash plate is forced into a position in which only a minimum power is possible. The angle
between the vertical and the swash plate is at its smallest. This results in a small stroke.
Power from 5% to 100% output ( IV )
If the conditions change again in that the thermal load increases or the engine speed drops, the manifold air
pressure C increases. There is now no longer any flow between the rear opening and the crankcase.
Due to the uniform flow from the crankcase to the inlet opening through the transfer duct, the high pressure A
reaches almost the same level as the manifold air pressure C . Consequently, the swash plate angle increases
and therefore the power increases until it reaches a maximum.
REFRIGERANT COMPRESSOR, FUNCTION - GF83.55-P-2100-02P
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 123 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
Page 3368 of 4133

Fig. 102: Identifying Refrigerant Compressor Components
Function
The rotary movement of the belt pulley (1) is transmitted via the refrigerant compressor shaft (13) to the stop
plate (12), which is permanently fastened to the refrigerant compressor shaft (13) by way of a press fit.
The rotation of the stop plate (12) is transmitted to the swash plate (4) by means of a hinged mechanism.
Conversion of the swash plate's (4) rotary motion into the oscillating motion of the seven pistons (6) takes place
via two sliding shoes each (11).
The evaporation tank on the pressure side (5) and evaporation tank on the suction side (7) reduce gas pulsation
in the refrigerant compressor by providing for uniform refrigerant flow. This helps to prevent noise in the
compression process
Volume control
The refrigerant compressor control valve (8) has a corresponding control current applied to it to match the
output requested. This in turn enables the compression volume to be regulated between 2 and 100 %.
The position of the swash plate (4) is determined through monitoring, processing and evaluation of the
following automatic air conditioning controlled variables:
Pressure in the crankcase (2) of the refrigerant compressor
2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 HVAC Climate Control - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:23:16 PMPage 124 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.