When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
W163 ML350 2004 US Manufactured (R/H Drive in Hong Kong)
For about 4-5 days we have been getting calls from our security guard telling us the car has been "flashing". Each time I go down to check it out, the flashing has stopped, but the guard describes the "alarm state" but without any siren/horn.
I googled the symptoms and guessed it was probably a flat battery inside the siren unit. I booked the car into a local garage to get it replaced yesterday (not MB workshop) and I am due to take the car in on Thursday.
Car has been driving fine and starts first time, but has had an ongoing issue with one of the key fobs not opening the locks consistently (sometimes takes 10-15 presses of the open button). Replaced the fob batteries and issue appeared to get better but is very intermittent so difficult to tell if it made any difference (but at least one thing was confirmed as ok).
Ever since we bought the car, the lights do not flash when we lock the car (I also own a ML320 so know the usual 3 flashes to indicate it is locked). The locks engage fine, just no flashes.
Ok, onto the problem.
I walk out to the car this morning and the car refuses to open with the fob. I play the usual game of trying every angle, closing and then opening the car and nothing works, the car remains locked. I run back to the house and grab the spare fob (which always seems to work, but has a dodgy key) and give it a try, but same issue.
I they give in and resort to opening the door using the key. Expecting the alarm to go off, I get ready to dive for the ignition to silence it, but to my surprise .... silence.
I turn the ignition and nothing. No clicking. No ignition lights. No interior lights.
Radio and headlights both start up with the ignition.
So I think it must be the battery flat after all the flashing every night so go grab my ML320 and give it a jumpstart.
Again, nothing. No clicking, no ignition lights.
I double check the jumper cables and try 3-4 times, but same result.
Interior switches refuse to work (central locking, windows, air con) but headlights and wipers do work.
I gave up and took the ML320 as we were in a rush to feed the kids. Later this afternoon, I jacked the car up and decided to look of the faulty siren and see if I could repair it.
I remove the wheel arch on the drivers side (Right side) and can't see the siren unit, so guess it must be on the other side, but after much swearing, can't find it either side.
Question #1
Does the 2004 W163 have a separate siren unit?
I moved on to check fuses and relays and found the relay and fuse for the "Horn Alarm" (K43 F49 from memory) missing. I can only assume that the previous owner had the same issue with the alarm sounding throughout the night and took a quick fix option of removing the relay and fuse.
So, the car is getting power, but the central locking doesn't function and the car will not start. Ignition lights are missing, but mileage and clock light up.
Question #2
It seems that the immobiliser has kicked in (a guess on my part). How can I reset this state?
Question #3
Any ideas as to what has caused this to occur suddenly and ho two stop it reoccurring?
Apologies for the long thread, I tried to include as much information, symptoms, and my basic diagnosis so far.
Many thanks,
Last edited by SeldomHere; 09-10-2017 at 09:10 AM.
Reason: clarify workshop details.
Please UPDATE YOUR PROFILE in USER CP to include year and model and where you live. Are you sure it is a right hand drive. Sitting in the veh. indicates it.
The vehicle is definitely has the steering wheel on the R/H side (sitting in the drivers position, I am right of the centre console) (Although HK is part of China, we drive on the left. A leftover from British rule).
The light you mention did not blink or light at any point, even when at position #2 in the ignition. I took a video to play back in case I missed it so can be 100% sure.
VIN - WDC1631572A521966
Oh, and I updated my User Profile as suggested
Thanks,
Last edited by SeldomHere; 09-10-2017 at 09:20 PM.
Disconnected the negative terminal for a couple of minutes and then reconnected and now the car starts. Key fob works again also.
Still unable to get alarm siren/horn to sound (or locate it).
It is not in the engine bay and not under the R/H side wheel arch trim that I could see as couldn't get the whole thing out, but could see the area it should have been.
Will now drive it over to my local garage and see what he can make of it.
Still concerned the issue may reoccur due to the alarm siren/horn not fixed.
The siren is located under the wiper transmission and wiper motor which must be removed. The Euro version does not have a relay or fuse but is powered with its own batteries and alarm is triggered by a CAN message.
09-10-2017, 09:08 AM
Dead Ignition - Battery OK
