C36 AMG, C43 AMG (W202) 1995 - 2000

1st post! Electrical Issues 1996 C36

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Old Jan 21, 2021 | 12:56 AM
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1996 C36 AMG
1st post! Electrical Issues 1996 C36

Hello! this is my first post, I recently picked up a 1996 C36 for a steal! im currently at 175,500 and trying to sort out the little issues. currently having electrical trouble.

i could also be at fault with this issue but the other night my #15 fuse which is rated at 15Amps kept blowing (it blew twice in one night). i threw in a 40amp and was working well for like 2 days. until one morning i had my headlights on while driving then suddenly my wipers along with fluid would not stop moving and squirting fluid unless i turned the headlights off. so now i removed the fuse and left it open. if i turn my headlights on, they work without the wipers going crazy. BUT my right taillight doesnt work without the #15 fuse being present.
-does anyone have an idea on how to go about this problem?
-if you have any questions id be happy to clarify
-recently purchased a multimeter but don't know how to use it, figured i could learn on the car.
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Old Jan 21, 2021 | 10:23 AM
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1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
Sounds like the multi function relay, behind the fuse box under the hood.

Kaehler (KAE) 2028204626, 3201400 Multi Purpose Relay; 13-Pin Relay - Mercedes | W01331618836 (autohausaz.com)

Last edited by Sulaco; Jan 21, 2021 at 10:26 AM.
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Old Jan 21, 2021 | 09:10 PM
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1996 C36 AMG
i went to the junkyard today and picked up a couple. i tried the two different relays i grabbed, but no luck 🥴
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Old Jan 22, 2021 | 05:27 AM
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
First of all welcome aboard.

Harness going down the drain? Not sure which year 36 were impacted, but someone should be along with the info. BTW is the engine working fine?
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Old Jan 22, 2021 | 02:31 PM
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Check your wiring harness as stated above. 95 and 96 models are subject to this factory issue.

If the harness is bad it should be easily diagnosed just by a visual. Peel away some insulation in a few areas and look for any sigh of crumbling.
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Old Jan 23, 2021 | 02:52 AM
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1996 C36 AMG
Originally Posted by DRBC43AMG
First of all welcome aboard.

Harness going down the drain? Not sure which year 36 were impacted, but someone should be along with the info. BTW is the engine working fine?
maybe? i think that the wiring harness was either replaced or reinsulated. engine is super strong and trans is butter smooth, the combo of these 2 is what sold me haha
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Old Jan 23, 2021 | 02:53 AM
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1996 C36 AMG
Originally Posted by PJmak
Check your wiring harness as stated above. 95 and 96 models are subject to this factory issue.

If the harness is bad it should be easily diagnosed just by a visual. Peel away some insulation in a few areas and look for any sigh of crumbling.
ill give it a shot, how can you tell if wiring harness has been replaced?
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Old Jan 25, 2021 | 01:20 PM
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
From what I know there should be some white tags in some areas on the wires that have the date stamped on them.
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Old Jan 26, 2021 | 09:56 AM
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1998 C43 w/ 55 swap Wavetrac LSD and 6-Speed manual
Replacing a 15A fuse that keeps blowing with a massive 40A fuse is one of the worse "solutions" you could have taken. That decision likely damaged a bunch of other items that would have been protected by the 15A. The installed fuses were rated at the intended level for a reason. Check the harnesses, relays, and everything else now impacted - could even be the dash switches or wiper motor itself.
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Old Jan 26, 2021 | 02:04 PM
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1996 C36 AMG
understood, it didnt appear to me that what I did was wrong until i received all these problems. i will now do some research on how to check the harness and relays.
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Old Feb 9, 2021 | 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by mbzrob
understood, it didnt appear to me that what I did was wrong until i received all these problems. i will now do some research on how to check the harness and relays.
The headlight switch could potentially be the culprit. I experienced similar issues on a ‘95 C36. Problems with the front and back lights. I believe there was a fuse which kept blowing, it only gets worse I can assure you of that. I also had to replace one on a low mileage 996TT. A common failure on the older Audi and Porsche’s. Also, definitely inspect the main engine harness like others mentioned - I do believe Delphi manufactured most of the aftermarket harnesses which can be determined on the tag where the main plug inserts (passenger side firewall). The label has a mfg. date to verify.

I recommend this thread to guide you: https://www.benzworld.org/threads/he...-else.2892953/. The 124’s are similar with regard to the electrical.

GL.

Last edited by RPB; Feb 9, 2021 at 07:42 PM.
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Old Feb 13, 2021 | 02:08 PM
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Red 1995 C36
Originally Posted by RPB
The headlight switch could potentially be the culprit. I experienced similar issues on a ‘95 C36. Problems with the front and back lights. I believe there was a fuse which kept blowing, it only gets worse I can assure you of that. I also had to replace one on a low mileage 996TT. A common failure on the older Audi and Porsche’s. Also, definitely inspect the main engine harness like others mentioned - I do believe Delphi manufactured most of the aftermarket harnesses which can be determined on the tag where the main plug inserts (passenger side firewall). The label has a mfg. date to verify.

I recommend this thread to guide you: https://www.benzworld.org/threads/he...-else.2892953/. The 124’s are similar with regard to the electrical.

GL.
Im going to second this. Most of the electrical runs through that switch (no idea why). Worst case you’ve fixed a part which is known to cause electrical issues.
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