Guys, I've got an issue with my '01 E430 4Matic. Here's how it started: It was raining and was driving for about 20-30 min, no hard splashing or anything, but at some point I hit the horn and right xenon light goes out. I turn the lights off then on and both lights turn on. I've hit the horn again, same thing happened. I guess I played too long with it and the car wouldn't start. It would turn fine for few cranks then nothing, if I keep the keep the key in start position I'd hear some griding noises as if it wants to start but cant. Also, if the car is running and the lights are on the horn wouldn't work fully, it would make some noise, resembling a dying animal but no full blast. If the lights are off, it would make a better sound. Also, with I hit the horn the right turn signal indicator would partially light up on the dashboard.
I checked the battery and it was good. I was able to start the car and bring it to the dealer. They replaced K40(i think that's what they called it) relay and said it was fine. I came to pick it up started the car twice and blew the relay again. Horn issue was not fixed. They got another relay now the car starts but with the lights on if I hit the horn the car shuts down. The light still wouldn't turn on. It seems that the dealer can't fix the problem. They're incompetent and after talking to the tech it's obvious they can't fix this.
My questions: Has anyone ever experienced a problem similar to this? Can anyone recomend dealer/technitian that would be able to fix it? I'm in Boston area, the dealer that worked on the car is Flagship on Rt 1 in Lynnfield. My recomendation, after talking to technitian: don't bring your car there! They don't know how to fix them.
To me it is obvious that there's a short somewhere in this circuit that is somehow connected, must be by the same ground. The circuit consists of right highbeam light, horn and this K40 (I think it must be a starter relay) I think the technitian, instead of fixing the problem had grounded that realay separetely so it wouldn't short with the rest of the problem. But the problem still exists. What a half *** job. They telling me that it would take $2000 to fix the problem (I don't know where they pull this number from) but I think it's not about the money but they just unable to fix them. The answer I got to my direct question: "Can you fix this problem?" the technitian answeres: "They key is sticky in the ignition and the cv boot is ripped, I can fix that" ??!!!
Anyway, sorry for the long ad I had to blow my steam off
Please, if anyone knows how to tackle this issue, please help. Thanks.

 

anyone examined the PSE located by the battery.All those functions come out of the PSE in communication with the combination control module.Water in the battery area has been a known problem,so inspect that possible cause.Something is shorting out and a mb shop should not be bypassing an issue to circumvent the problem,the systems are are linked up and him taking a route around the issue will likely cause more problems.
Find a shop mb indie with an sds machine and get it diagnosed there.Meanwhile I don't know what the dealer charged but they need to refund you money.Write the dealer a certified letter and send a cert copy to customer service mbusa in new jersey.Enclose a copy of the invoice and a calm explanation of your dissatisfaction.

the rain and the water and 20 minutes in it,all point to the moisture issue related pse and fuse box located with the battery under the rear seat.pop it up and look at it the jerk at mb obviously did not.

 

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I've checked the battery compartment when I took the battery for the test. It was dry. Even when the problem showed up at first I thought that disconnecting a battery might solve the problem but it didn't. Reason I thought that is because once before, again in the rain, I started the car and the sunroof rolled open and would not close. Only after disconnecting and connecting back the battery I regained control over that sunroof. In both cases the battery compartment seemd dry.
I'm going there today for a fight and I will take the car to another dealer. I don't know any of good MB mechanics in Boston area that I would trust.
I am sure that the technitian had bypassed the short with an extra ground for the starter relay. I see no other way to explain why the first time when relay was changed it blew when I turned the lighs on and hit the horn. Now it doesn't blow but just shuts the engine off. Which I think is even worse. As you said it will damage other systems and that's what I'm affraid of, for I will never be able to prove that it is their fault.