athenshome

I am having a fuse issue with my 1999 ML430. The fuse that controls the trip/fuel range display and the radio (power off when cutting the ignition off) is consistently blowing out. I've had this problem before within the past year and just replaced the fuse for it to start working fine again. Now everytime I replace the fuse, it blows out as soon as I start the engine.

I am assuming that I have a short somewhere, but I do not know where to start in trying to find it.

If anyone has any suggestions on why this fuse would be blowing out or how to find/fix the short, I would greatly appreciate it. Many thanks in advance!

UPSGUY19

I WAS WONDERING IF YOU FOUND THE SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM I HAVE A 2002 ML 500 AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUE

mihir_d

Welcome to this mysterious electrical issues with the ML. I have been living with this issue for about 3 years now.

My mechanic patiently checked all 11 ground points in the car - no current leak whatsoever. He can't explain what's causing it.

I went ahead & replaced the e-box fan, since he thought, the entire fusebox might be overheating after the original e-box fan aged for so many years & lost it's peak efficiency with the dirt accumulation etc. It doesn't help that I live in a hot area & I did figure out that the frequency of the fuse blowing was higher in the summer months.

That certainly reduced the frequency at which my fuses & relays blow, but blow they still do. I am sure there is some other electrical issue lurking around in the ML's electricals, but me & my mechanic are clueless - STAR diagnostics reports no anomalies whatsoever.

UPSGUY19

THIS MAY BE A DUMB QUESTION BUT, Have you taken it to the dealer for the recall on the volt regulator. I did not know of the recall and so far so good it has been about a week and no blown fuses I hope this helps in your problem also.

athenshome

No, I was not aware of a volt recall for this model. Is this a recent recall and are dealers still making the repairs compt?

*Update for this post:
I did find my problem with the shorting of this fuse. Apparently, there was a penny stuck in the cigarette lighter outlet (wife uses the tray for coins) and that was causing it to short.

UPSGUY19

They were recalls from 2005 yes i just had mine done at the dealer last week they had to keep it overnight to order the part. They are not calling it a recall but a campaign ( so it does not show up on recall websites) but there was no charge from my dealer so i would say call your dealer and give them your vin. Best of luck i hope it works out for you also

mihir_d

Will call the dealer, first thing in the morning - gotta confirm on that. Could very well be that...