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ME-SFI ignition system function - GF15.12-P-0001F

ENGINE 104.941 /943 /944 /991 /994 as of 1.8.96 

ENGINE 104.995 

with CODE (494a) USA version 

with CODE (807) Model year 1997 

with CODE (808) Model year 1998 

with CODE (498) as of Model Year 97 Japanese version 

ENGINE 111.921 /942 as of 1.9.98, 

111.943, 

111.944 as of 1.8.96, 

111.946 as of 1.6.98, 

111.947/973, 

111.975 as of 1.8.96 

ENGINE 111.945 

in MODEL 208.335 /435 as of 1.6.98, 

202.020/080 as of 1.9.98 

ENGINE 111.974 

with CODE (494a) USA version 

with CODE (807) Model year 1997 

with CODE (808) Model year 1998 

ENGINE 112.910 /911 /912 /913 /914 /916 /917 /920 /921 /922 /923 /940 /941 /942 /943 /944 /946 /947 /949 /953 /954 /955 /970 /972 /973 /975 

ENGINE 113.940 /941 /942 /943 /948 /960 /961 /963 /965 /966 /967 /968 /969 

ENGINE 119.980 /981 /982 /985 

ENGINE 120.982/983 

ENGINE 137.970 

Fig 1: Identifying ME-SFI Ignition System Components
G04606221

Signal assignment 

Fig 2: Identifying Signal Assignment - Shown On Engine 119
G04606222

Function 

When the crankshaft is rotating, an alternating voltage is generated in the crankshaft position sensor by the teeth of the driven plate. In this case, each tooth generates an alternating voltage signal. No voltage is generated through the gap of 2 missing teeth. The ME-SFI control unit detects the TDC position of the crankshaft with the 2nd negative slope after the gap.

Engine Recognition of TDC position of cylinder Ignition TDC
111 1 and 4 Cylinder 1
104, 112, 113, 119 1 and 6 Cylinder 1
120, 137 Right hand cylinder bank: 1 and 6 Cylinder 1
  Left cylinder bank: 7 and 12 Cylinder 7

If the signal from the camshaft Hall sensor is at 0 V ("low") at this moment, the ME control unit processes this in order to detect ignition TDC. This, is used for actuating the ignition coils and the fuel injectors. The high voltage is distributed rotorlessly. Advantages of the rotorless high voltage distribution are:

  1. Determine ignition angle according to input signals, actuate ignition coils and release ignition spark. 

    The ME-SFI control unit essentially analyzes the following signals for determining the ignition angle:

    • Engine load
    • Crankshaft position sensor
    • Camshaft Hall sensor
    • Coolant temperature sensor
    • Intake air temperature sensor/charge air.

    Coil ignition: The ME control unit interrupts at the point of ignition timing at the ground end the ignition coil primary circuit of the ignition coil.

    ECI ignition system (engine 137): The ME control unit actuates the output stages in the ECI ignition modules.

    IMPORTANT

    The ignition angle can only be checked with the HHT/STAR DIAGNOSIS.

  2. Ignition angle adaptation 

2.1 Catalytic converter heating-up (warming-up) 

The ignition angle is continuously retarded for about 20 seconds in order to more rapidly warm up the catalytic converter to its operating temperature if:

At the same time idle speed is increased by the idle speed control.

2.2 Idle speed 

To assist the idle speed control, the ignition angle can be retarded by as much as 36° crank angle or advanced by as much as 20° crank angle.

Altering the ignition angle provides a more rapid control than altering the position of the throttle valve (idle speed control).

2.3 Deceleration fuel shutoff 

The ignition angle is briefly retarded when combustion is resumed (fuel injectors actuated) in order to prevent a sudden increase in torque.

2.4 Intake air temperature/coolant temperature 

The ignition angle is retarded under load, as a function of the intake air temperature and coolant temperature, in order to prevent any knocking tendency at high intake air and coolant temperatures. The ignition angle is "Retarded" if:

In supercharged engines the charge air temperature is used as information for the ignition timing adjustment in place of the intake air temperature.

IMPORTANT

The values of the retardation of the ignition angle of intake air temperature and coolant temperature are added together.

2.5 Transmission overload protection 

In order to protect the shift elements of the automatic transmission during power shifts (1-2-1, 2-3-2) from excessive thermal stresses, the ignition angle is briefly retarded during the gearshift and the engine torque reduced as a result. The ME-SFI control units are supplied with a signal for this purpose from the ETC control unit (N15/3) over the CAN databus.

2.6 ESP/ASR control mode 

In order to reduce the engine torque as rapidly as possible in the ESP/ ASR control mode, the ignition angle is retarded by the throttle valve actuator (opening angle reduced) prior to the control mode being activated. The information from the ESP/ASR control unit is supplied over the CAN databus to the ME-SFI control unit.

2.7 Anti-knock control (AKC) 

If uncontrolled combustion (knocking) occurs at one or several cylinders, the ignition angle at the relevant cylinder or cylinders is "Retarded".

2.8 Smooth engine running analysis 

To restrain the three way catalytic converter from thermal overload through combustion misfiring and in order to keep the exhaust emission values, the smooth operation of the engine is continuously monitored.

If combustion misfiring is identified at one or several cylinders, the corresponding fuel injection valves are no longer actuated after a certain number of misfires.

Engine 104, 111, 112, 113, 119, 120: Smooth operation evaluation is performed through the signals of the crankshaft position sensor.

Engine 137: Identification of combustion misfiring by means of ionic current signal, see ECI ignition system function.

2.9 Double ignition engine 112,113,137 

Two spark plugs for each cylinder are beneficial because of the arrangement of the valves for achieving optimal emission levels and smooth engine running.

Each spark plug is actuated separately by the ME-SFI control unit through its own ignition coil. On engine 112, 113 both ignition coils of a cylinder are combined to form a dual ignition coil.

In the lower part load range up to approx. 2000 rpm both ignition sparks of a cylinder are triggered simultaneously. At moderate and high engine loads, the ignition sparks are triggered offset by as much as 10° crank angle. In this case, the sequence of actuation is constantly varied in order to achieve a uniform wear of both spark plugs and to avoid deposits on only one side of the combustion chamber.

IMPORTANT

For troubleshooting in the dual ignition system, it is possible to switch off one ignition circuit each with HHT or STAR DIAGNOSIS.

  ME-SFI ignition system function diagram Engine 104 GF15.12-P-0001-01D
Engine 111 GF15.12-P-0001-01G
Engine 112 GF15.12-P-0001-01A 
Engine 113 GF15.12-P-0001-01B 
Engine 119 GF15.12-P-0001-01E
Engine 120 GF15.12-P-0001-01F
  ME-SFI control unit position/task/design/ function   GF07.61-P-5000F
  ECI ignition system function Engine 137 GF15.15-P-3000L
  Ignition coils, location/task/design/function Engine 119, 120 GF15.10-P-3102F
Engine 104, 111 GF15.10-P-3102G
Engine 112, 113 GF15.10-P-3102A 
  Crankshaft position sensor, location/task/ design/function   GF07.04-P-4116F
  Camshaft Hall sensor, location/task/design/ function   GF07.04-P-4117F
  Spark plugs, location/task/design/function   GF15.10-P-3101F 
  Intake air temperature sensor, location/task/ design/function   GF07.04-P-2100F
  Hot film mass air flow sensor, location/task/ design/function Engine 119, 120 (round connector) GF07.07-P-4118E
Engine 104, 111, 112, 113, 137 GF07.07-P-4118G
  Coolant temperature sensor, location/task/ design/function Engine 104, 111 GF07.04-P-5026G
Engine 112, 113, 137 GF07.04-P-5026A
Engine 119, 120 GF07.04-P-5026F
  Electronic accelerator, location/design/function Engine 104, 111, 112, 113, 119, 137 GF30.20-P-3010E
    Engine 120 GF30.20-P-3010F
  Anti-knock control function   GF15.12-P-4024F 
  Transmission overload protection function with automatic transmission GF07.61-P-4026F
  Overheating/pinging protection function   GF07.61-P-4027F
  Intake air temperature correction function   GF07.61-P-4028F
  ME-SFI synchronizing fuel injection and firing order function   GF07.61-P-4009F
  ME-SFI ignition system signal assignment Engine 104 GF15.12-P-0001-02D
Engine 111 GF15.12-P-0001-02G
Engine 112 GF15.12-P-0001-02A 
Engine 113 GF15.12-P-0001-02B 
Engine 119 GF15.12-P-0001-02E
Engine 120 GF15.12-P-0001-02F
Engine 137 GF15.12-P-0001-02L
  ME engine speed signal function   GF07.61-P-3017F
  ASR V control unit location/task/design/function with code 471a
Model 129, 140, 202 as of 6/94, 170, 208, 210
GF42.40-P-4500A
  ESP control unit location / task / function with code 472a
Model 129 with engines 104, 119, 120
Model 140
Model 210 with engine 119
GF42.45-P-4500A
with code 472a
Model 129 with engine 112, 113
Model 163 up to 8/02, 168, 215
Model 220 (except 220.08/18)
Model 202, 208 with engine 112, 113
Model 210 with engine 111, 112, 113
GF42.45-P-4500B
with code 472a
Model 170 with engines 111, 112
Model 202, 208 with Engine 111
Model 203
GF42.45-P-4500C
Model 211, 230 GF42.45-P-4500SL
  ETC control unit, location/task Transmission 722.6 GF27.19-P-4012G