M-Class (W163) Produced 1998-2005: ML 230, ML 320, ML 350, ML 400 CDI, ML 430, ML 500, ML 270 CDI

ml350 - huge electrical issues ?

Old Mar 20, 2013 | 10:52 PM
  #1  
fleebag's Avatar
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From: North Ga Mountains
2005 ML350
ml350 - huge electrical issues ?

I've lurked for a little, yall are awesome first off...have learned a ton from the forum

Okay so my ML350 has some crazy stuff going on if I turn any front end lighting on besides the low beams the dash cluster goes nuts, some times the wipers just go back and forth without being touched at all and the high beams the one time I used them, as I turned them on the transmission down shifted (without me touching the shifter) I have unhooked the battery and let all the residual charge drain to no avail ....help lol and thanks in advance

Eta: I looked through the couple year old thread about almost the same situation (lights etc) but it would seem for me its only when I operate lights other than the low beams, it may be coincidental but I'm not sure.

Last edited by fleebag; Mar 21, 2013 at 01:21 AM.
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Old Mar 21, 2013 | 02:56 AM
  #2  
Maj. Dundee's Avatar
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
It would appear that your problem is with the Combination Sw. on the steering column. Headlights, high beams and wipers are all controlled from this switch.

Remove the three screws and then remove the two halves of the steering column covers. While the problem is happening, tap on multiple sections of the switch and see if the problem corrects or gets worse.

In any event, I still believe that this is your problem. You can purchase this from the dealer or buy a used on ebay but it must be from any ML 2002 or above with the part number in the illustration. Purchase one from a junk yard as you are almost guaranteed of buying original equipment.
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Last edited by Maj. Dundee; Mar 21, 2013 at 02:58 AM.
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Old Mar 26, 2013 | 11:13 AM
  #3  
fleebag's Avatar
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Thanks, sorry for the slow reply its been a crazy week. But I did remove the battery earlier this week and it remedied the problem for a day or two, and its back. Going to take the steering column cover off today and try that...thanks again!
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 02:29 PM
  #4  
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No luck with tapping on it, I suppose next is to replace it. Now I've noticed when the lights are on, on the dash one low beam dims a little :-/
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