ML430 Wont Crank But Lights Work
 

99 ML430

I was driving for a couple of hours yesterday and parked for 10 minutes. The car didn't want to Crank. The battery seems good since all the lights work.

Left it alone overnight, same result in the morning.

I tried to check the fuses. Even swapped K8 with fuses from K30 and K31. That didn't solve the problem. Also reset the FSS. Didn't help.

Any suggestions? https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...f2562fb1ba.jpg

K8 is the starter relay and is a stand alone relay in the fuse box. Meaning it is the only relay like it and cannot be swapped with another in the fuse box.

Fuses 30 and 31 have nothing whatsoever to do with relay K8 and or starting the truck.

Please clarify your post.

Ok. I have no idea what I'm doing. Just to be clear.

My car wont' crank. Won't start. I don't know what the next steps are at this point. Can someone help provide guidance?

Should I go to AutoZone to purchase a new K8 starter relay?

Turn the key to pos. #2. Do all the lights illuminate in the instrument cluster?

Disregard the above as you have already posted that info.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...603b5e298c.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...f07ff3bf80.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...e9edb32353.jpg
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https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...a0557fa16a.jpg


Remove the key from the ign.

Remove K8 relay and fashion a 6-8" piece of 12 gauge wire with spade terminals attached.

Insert one end of wire into slot 30 and insert the other end into slot 87. Note that both wire ends must make contact with silver dots, see sample photo.

If the eng. cranks, immediately remove the jumper wire.

If the eng. does not crank/turn over in all probability the ground strap at the starter is corroded or burned out.

Stand by as all images did not post.

Ok. Let me head over to AutoZone now to get the gauge wire. Will let you know asap.

Part number
 

Do you have a part number for the wire gauge? I'm in auto zone

Just ask for 12 gauge automotive wire and spade terminals.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...50a49e47f6.jpg

This is what they made for me.
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Great.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...368471effa.jpg

Trying now.

Not working. Same state.

Random pics
 

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...c6b35a232c.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...4420253048.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...ea4d5ed179.jpg
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https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...aeb1fda1d9.jpg
I have no idea where the starter is to check the ground strap. But I'll take some pictures.

Are you sure you made proper contact with the silver dots?

Connected
 

I thought I posted this picture. Sorry. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...8bc4591028.jpg

Dots
 

Ok. Now I understand what you mean by silver dots. Let me try again.

Not working still.

Then there is a problem with a connection to the starter or the corroded/burned ground cable that was previously shown.

And? I want to get to other things beside this problem.

Picture #1

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...8b8ec2a6b5.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...5f8ca25199.jpg
I don't know what picture #1 is supposed to mean but if you are looking for the location of the starter, it is on the passenger side below and to the rear of the alternator.

Picture #1 was supposed to be a collection of pictures but they aren't uploading.

Will find the starter and try to post that.