p_smartiesuk

Hi Guys,

First time poster with an interesting problem. I have a '99 ML430 (WDC1631722A094959) and i'm in the UK. I have just bought it as a project. Here's the first real head scratcher. I cannot remove the key without the alarm going off. In fact i cannot turn the key to the 'off' position without the alarm going off. I dont know what to try or where to start. So long as the key is in position 1 all is fine but obviously this is not a long term (or any kind of) solution. She starts and runs perfectly normal otherwise. Its clear to me that at some point the battery has been removed, probably prior to delivery of the vehicle to me. I have also noticed the alarm horn relay is missing but after reading many posts on the topic it seems this shouldn't be the issue?
I'm not by any means a mechanic but definately a willing have a go-er. Can somebody give any advice?
Cheers, Paul.

Maj. Dundee

Please UPDATE YOUR PROFILE in USER CP, to include the year and where you live.

Also post your full vin #
.

p_smartiesuk

done

Maj. Dundee

You forgot to post your full vin#. Disregard. Saw that you edited your post.

Maj. Dundee

According to your DATA card, you do not have an alarm system installed. This is not to say that you do not have an alarm system installed.

From previous alarm problems in European ML's, the alarm is located under the cover where the wiper motor is located. So, open the hood, let the alarm go off and determine if the alarm sound is coming from that area.

p_smartiesuk

Cheers Major, i'll give that a look and see what i can find. Unfortunately the battery is now flat so this may (or may not) help with the problem as i can at least go through the correct motions of connecting it back up. Do you think it could be an aftermarket alarm and if so could it just be a case of simply disconnecting the alarm?
Will keep you informed.
Paul

Maj. Dundee

Charge the battery and locate where the sound is coming from.

p_smartiesuk

Update on this.... the alarm fault seems to have cleared itself. However it has now transformed into the electric windows not working..... a definate electrical gremlin somewhere!!

Maj. Dundee

Did you charge the battery or did you jump start it? And was the key in the ign. when you did so?

Turn the key to pos. #2 and check both contacts on fuses 29 & 30 for 12v.

p_smartiesuk

Jump started the beast, key was not in ignition until after leads had been connected and only when needed to start. just had battery tested, apparently good but needs a charge so is now on an all night trickle charge.

p_smartiesuk

Update on this, battery perfectly fine just needed a damn good charge. Re-connected and all is good electrically but window problem persisted. Drivers window would go down but not up so fixed this by ripping off relevant window switch (am replacing console anyway) and hey presto i can move window up & down by using a small bit of plastic direct onto contacts. Will do until new panel arrives.