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We have a 2018 GLE550e that died a few weeks ago. I'm pretty sure we have a fuel pump system-related problem. The car will run on the electric battery and motors, but every time the engine tries to kick in, it idles for 1-2 seconds and dies. There is a fuse box under the passenger seat. Fuse # F132 = 25 AMP Fuel Pump Control Unit (N118). Even with the car entirely off, it immediately arcs and blows whenever I put a new fuse into slot 132. I can't find any reference to a relay for the fuel pump control module. I have every fuse and relay document ever published on the internet for this car, and I'm stumped as to where the Fuel Pump Relay is.
Our car has been sitting at Mercedes for three weeks. The dealer is so backed up that I don't foresee them ever getting to it in the next few weeks. I discussed the recall issue (NHTSA Recall ID Number : 22V955) related to water in the trunk, and they said they performed the recall when we had it in last May. Is the Fuel Pump Controller located in the back of the GLE550e? We don't have a spare wheel well because the entire back of the car is filled with the battery for the electric motors.
I am stumped as to why the F132 fuse instantly blows as soon as a new fuse is installed. We can't run the car on gas.
Did dealer give you any troubleshooting details?
I am surprised Reno dealers are so booked as in Las Vegas they wait for customers.
Not trying to scare you, but I had fuel pump wires burning inside the tank on my 2001 ML55 AMG. Even the car no longer had warranty, Regional Representative covered the repair taking the burned pump with him.
MB doesn't like to spread the word about electric fires inside the tanks, even with lack of oxygen there, there is not much danger.
If you DIY, pull the plug at the pump and try if the fuse stays.
Did dealer give you any troubleshooting details?
I am surprised Reno dealers are so booked as in Las Vegas they wait for customers.
Not trying to scare you, but I had fuel pump wires burning inside the tank on my 2001 ML55 AMG. Even the car no longer had warranty, Regional Representative covered the repair taking the burned pump with him.
MB doesn't like to spread the word about electric fires inside the tanks, even with lack of oxygen there, there is not much danger.
If you DIY, pull the plug at the pump and try if the fuse stays.
Thanks for responding.
The dealer can't give me any help. They have too many people waiting for service, 90% of which appear to be Sprinter Vans. I went over yesterday and noticed almost every lift in service was occupied with a Sprinter. Even a simple oil change in Reno takes 4-6 weeks for a booking, that is at almost every dealership here. It appears Reno is about 500 technicians short for all the dealers, tire shops, oil change places, etc. If I could get the GLE550e to Vegas, I would do it in a second.
The GLE550e is a rare model with very few technicians aware of things like where the heck I can find the Fuel Pump Relay or Fuel Pump Control Unit.
The dealer can't give me any help. They have too many people waiting for service, 90% of which appear to be Sprinter Vans. I went over yesterday and noticed almost every lift in service was occupied with a Sprinter. Even a simple oil change in Reno takes 4-6 weeks for a booking, that is at almost every dealership here. It appears Reno is about 500 technicians short for all the dealers, tire shops, oil change places, etc. If I could get the GLE550e to Vegas, I would do it in a second.
The GLE550e is a rare model with very few technicians aware of things like where the heck I can find the Fuel Pump Relay or Fuel Pump Control Unit.
I have a 2018 550e, like you I bet, I found two fuses for fuel #130, #131, both are in the corner of fuse box C under the passenger side rear folding seat. That box contains in an almost invisible slot a fold out fuse map for the whole truck,
That box has several relays in it not labeled. But a Google search for 550e fuel rely returns pics of what appears to be two relays (by shape) in that box. The fuses are across from each other in the upper left corner of the box, when you face inward.
1. Buy the replacement relay and try to match the part # and pins to a relay in the fuse box C. power up and hold your breath doing so does not make it worse, personally I'd only try this stuck in somewhere remote. Damn computer could be seeing something and trying to make you safe.
2. Phone another dealer and ask the parts depart for the relay for sale and its location. Or ask for an SA to help you. Surprised Reno would not do this
3. Post or PM me and I'll call my SA, he is an ex-tech and my dealership is very good on the 550e and I'd call him for you. Its MB of Pleasanton in Pleasanton CA.
I have a 2018 550e, like you I bet, I found two fuses for fuel #130, #131, both are in the corner of fuse box C under the passenger side rear folding seat. That box contains in an almost invisible slot a fold out fuse map for the whole truck,
That box has several relays in it not labeled. But a Google search for 550e fuel rely returns pics of what appears to be two relays (by shape) in that box. The fuses are across from each other in the upper left corner of the box, when you face inward.
1. Buy the replacement relay and try to match the part # and pins to a relay in the fuse box C. power up and hold your breath doing so does not make it worse, personally I'd only try this stuck in somewhere remote. Damn computer could be seeing something and trying to make you safe.
2. Phone another dealer and ask the parts depart for the relay for sale and its location. Or ask for an SA to help you. Surprised Reno would not do this
3. Post or PM me and I'll call my SA, he is an ex-tech and my dealership is very good on the 550e and I'd call him for you. Its MB of Pleasanton in Pleasanton CA.
I really appreciate your responses and the advice.
You are very lucky if you got a fuse map in your 2018 550e. Mine doesn't have it, I read about it on the forum long ago, and spent a great deal of time trying to find it. The slot is there, but the fuse diagram isn't. I went to the Mercedes parts department, gave my VIN#, then ordered the diagram for $5.00. When I picked it up, I was less than impressed . It showed 3 fuse boxes (#1 under hood, #2 right side dashboard, & #3 under rear passenger seat) but it completely ignored the massive fuse box located next to the battery under the front passenger seat? At the time, I was trying to diagnose a problem with one of the fuses next to the battery, so I was pretty angry the fuse diagram completely omitted an entire fuse box. If you have a map of all the fuses and relays in a GLE550e, does it show all 4 fuse box locations?
According to the service diagram I found:
F132 = Fuel system control unit N118 (25 AMP)
F130 = Trailer recognition control unit N28/1 (25 AMP)
F131 = Spare
F112 is also supposed to go to the Fuel system control unit (5 AMP)
I'm not sure where you found the info stating 130 & 131 are for fuel? The AMP ratings in my fuse box match the diagram I have. Every fuse in the entire car has been checked, only Fuse #132 is blown, and continues to blow as soon as you plug a new one in. It literally blows as soon as the blades touch the socket.
None of the relays in any of the fuse boxes are for the Fuel System according to the service diagrams I have. I did the same Google search you mentioned, but I can't find any reference to the location, or application of this type of relay in a GLE550e.
This is my fuse box under the right side rear seat:
These are the Relays according to the service diagram:
The complete set of documents I have for all the fuses in the car can be downloaded from:
When I dealt with my fuel pump on W163 years ago, I remember the way to find fuel pump relay. In my case the wires were burn, so pump did not work, but when you turn the ignition on (without starting the engine) the pump relay comes on for about 2 seconds.
Having a helper cycling the ignition, you can place your finger on relays to find which one is it.
Having short, you'd have to pull the pump plug.
When I dealt with my fuel pump on W163 years ago, I remember the way to find fuel pump relay. In my case the wires were burn, so pump did not work, but when you turn the ignition on (without starting the engine) the pump relay comes on for about 2 seconds.
Having a helper cycling the ignition, you can place your finger on relays to find which one is it.
Having short, you'd have to pull the pump plug.
That's an interesting thought on a way to diagnose. If I could just find someone who knows where the the relay or the fuel pump control unit is, I might have a chance of eliminating where the failure is. I'm pretty sure I would have to drop the fuel tank out of the car to access anything to do with the actual fuel pump.
MB makes access plates to such things like fuel pump.
As I experienced on my GLE, even aux battery is covered with carpet, but once you remove the carpet, you should find a plate over the pump.
Here is what google found in quick search
Here is the video where guy dropped the tank, so I don't know what might apply to your MY
MB makes access plates to such things like fuel pump.
As I experienced on my GLE, even aux battery is covered with carpet, but once you remove the carpet, you should find a plate over the pump.
Thank you for your assistance. I've already done some research on my issue through Google searches and previously watched the video and parts diagram you provided. I really appreciate your help. Since I have limited ability to work on the vehicle in the dealer's parking lot, I was hoping to avoid the time-consuming process of troubleshooting through trial and error. I always value constructive feedback, but I was hoping someone with a GLE550e might have encountered a similar problem or have access to information not easily found through Google.
You're probably correct about the access to the fuel pump, but I'm looking for the fuel pump relay and the fuel pump control module. I'm hoping the problem lies in one of those items and can be eliminated before diving into the fuel pump.
Relays or modules don't make shorts blowing 25 amp fuse, so don't get your hopes too high.
When there is nobody, who would bring you resolution, that puts the troubleshooting on your shoulder.
I don't think you will go any farther without accessing pump wires and when you have limited access to the car repairs, pulling the carpets under rear seat takes about the same time it takes to make forum reply. It will take removal of back rest bolts, but this way you will know if you have easy access, or face tank dropping.
Good luck.
Side observation is, that judging from low traffic on the forum, W166 has to be very reliable car.
When I bought W163, it was break thru technology with CPS and MAF sensors having very high failure ratio. W163 section was the most active section on the forum for couple of years.
Relays or modules don't make shorts blowing 25 amp fuse, so don't get your hopes too high.
When there is nobody, who would bring you resolution, that puts the troubleshooting on your shoulder.
I don't think you will go any farther without accessing pump wires and when you have limited access to the car repairs, pulling the carpets under rear seat takes about the same time it takes to make forum reply. It will take removal of back rest bolts, but this way you will know if you have easy access, or face tank dropping.
Good luck.
Side observation is, that judging from low traffic on the forum, W166 has to be very reliable car.
When I bought W163, it was break thru technology with CPS and MAF sensors having very high failure ratio. W163 section was the most active section on the forum for couple of years.
Thank you again for the solid responses and observations. I'll see if I can get under the carpet. It's a 30-minute trip to the dealer parking lot that I've already made 3 times, I think you can understand why I'm trying to gather as much data as possible before another round of parking lot mechanics. Since you seem to be well versed in troubleshooting, do you think it's possible that water got into that fuel pump area and caused the short? We do use our GLE550e to launch our tiny boat trailer from time to time, although I've never had water above the axels or running boards at the boat launch.
Slim chances for the water inside the tank and from what you are saying, you did not get it on top of the tank. The connector there is waterproof anyway.
30 minutes to see the car sure sucks, but I am surprised they let you to do troubleshooting on the car.
Most of the dealers don't even have windows where you could observe your car on service bay.
I'm consdering a 550e and haven't found a whole lot online about it.
It did get resolved under warranty by the dealer in Rocklin CA. The dealer in Reno was incapable of dealing with the problem after a month of sitting on my car and doing nothing. It was the fuel pump control unit and the large hybrid battery had to be removed to access it. Our air conditioner also grenaded the day we picked it up, so that was covered under warranty as well. Mercedes of Rockin was stellar on taking care of things.
I'll just point out that nothing in the car related to the hybrid system was at fault, so I still think it's a pretty good electric vehicle. Just not sure how comfortable I would be owning one without an extended warranty.
I wonder if the FPCU was affected by the water infiltration issue that caused a recall for so many ML and GL vehicles. Did they give you any insight as to the reason for failure? Was your VIN subject to the recall?
I wonder if the FPCU was affected by the water infiltration issue that caused a recall for so many ML and GL vehicles. Did they give you any insight as to the reason for failure? Was your VIN subject to the recall?
They could not pinpoint a reason for the failure. Our 550e did have the recall performed for the water infiltration issue, and they did not find any signs of water intrusion. The FPCU is nowhere near the area where the recall is performed.
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GLE550e Fuel Pump Problem
. It showed 3 fuse boxes (#1 under hood, #2 right side dashboard, & #3 under rear passenger seat) but it completely ignored the massive fuse box located next to the battery under the front passenger seat? At the time, I was trying to diagnose a problem with one of the fuses next to the battery, so I was pretty angry the fuse diagram completely omitted an entire fuse box. If you have a map of all the fuses and relays in a GLE550e, does it show all 4 fuse box locations?
