Car starting itself (almost)
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7
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ML350 2004
Car starting itself (almost)
Hi Everyone. First post in the forum and straight to the juicy questions.
So I just bought a 2004 ML350. Drives fantastic but we noticed about 10hrs after parking it in the carport that the dash lights were flickering. Further investigation is that the car appears to be reaching stage 2 ignition on it's own (terminal 15 relay activates so fuel pump turns on, dash lights come on, then fan runs once the dash lights turn off). This problem comes and goes.
Additionally:
hazard lights with ignition off will cause dash lights and fuel pump to flicker synchronis to hazard lights
headlights on with ignition off will cause dash lights and fuel pump to come on and stay on
Problem goes away if I leave the indicator in the on position.
Is there a common denominator to the indicator lights, head lights and ignition circuit? What is the chances that all three circuits are bridged.
Is there an earth lead on the steering column that could be missing? I looked but could not find one.
Thanks,
Keith
So I just bought a 2004 ML350. Drives fantastic but we noticed about 10hrs after parking it in the carport that the dash lights were flickering. Further investigation is that the car appears to be reaching stage 2 ignition on it's own (terminal 15 relay activates so fuel pump turns on, dash lights come on, then fan runs once the dash lights turn off). This problem comes and goes.
Additionally:
hazard lights with ignition off will cause dash lights and fuel pump to flicker synchronis to hazard lights
headlights on with ignition off will cause dash lights and fuel pump to come on and stay on
Problem goes away if I leave the indicator in the on position.
Is there a common denominator to the indicator lights, head lights and ignition circuit? What is the chances that all three circuits are bridged.
Is there an earth lead on the steering column that could be missing? I looked but could not find one.
Thanks,
Keith
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,107
Likes: 765
From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
You need to replace the Ignition Switch, part # 168 545 10 04.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163...ml#post5465784
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7
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ML350 2004
Thanks for your reply. I was thinking yhe same thing. Replaced switch witb a new one and unfortunately the problem still stays. There is a lose witing loom near the switch but does not appear to be important. I will post a photo. Any other ideas?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7
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ML350 2004
Thanks for the response. I had already tried the relay swap with no luck.
Just to confirm are the light circuits and indicator circuits do NOT go to any computer unit? If its just wires/relays i will chase the harnesses.
another suspicion of mine is that the dealer pressure washed the engine bay and got water somewhere but i havent found any.
Just to confirm are the light circuits and indicator circuits do NOT go to any computer unit? If its just wires/relays i will chase the harnesses.
another suspicion of mine is that the dealer pressure washed the engine bay and got water somewhere but i havent found any.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,107
Likes: 765
From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
I don't know how often this happens, but try removing K12 relay and see what happens Nothing can activate without that relay.
Why did the dealer pressure wash the eng. and how long after that did the problem start?
Why did the dealer pressure wash the eng. and how long after that did the problem start?
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
ML500 W163
Hi Everyone. First post in the forum and straight to the juicy questions.
So I just bought a 2004 ML350. Drives fantastic but we noticed about 10hrs after parking it in the carport that the dash lights were flickering. Further investigation is that the car appears to be reaching stage 2 ignition on it's own (terminal 15 relay activates so fuel pump turns on, dash lights come on, then fan runs once the dash lights turn off). This problem comes and goes.
Additionally:
hazard lights with ignition off will cause dash lights and fuel pump to flicker synchronis to hazard lights
headlights on with ignition off will cause dash lights and fuel pump to come on and stay on
Problem goes away if I leave the indicator in the on position.
Is there a common denominator to the indicator lights, head lights and ignition circuit? What is the chances that all three circuits are bridged.
Is there an earth lead on the steering column that could be missing? I looked but could not find one.
Thanks,
Keith
So I just bought a 2004 ML350. Drives fantastic but we noticed about 10hrs after parking it in the carport that the dash lights were flickering. Further investigation is that the car appears to be reaching stage 2 ignition on it's own (terminal 15 relay activates so fuel pump turns on, dash lights come on, then fan runs once the dash lights turn off). This problem comes and goes.
Additionally:
hazard lights with ignition off will cause dash lights and fuel pump to flicker synchronis to hazard lights
headlights on with ignition off will cause dash lights and fuel pump to come on and stay on
Problem goes away if I leave the indicator in the on position.
Is there a common denominator to the indicator lights, head lights and ignition circuit? What is the chances that all three circuits are bridged.
Is there an earth lead on the steering column that could be missing? I looked but could not find one.
Thanks,
Keith
Have you had a solution to this issue please? I seem to have the same problem in my 2003 ML500.
Thank you
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