2003 ML350 instrument cluster dead, good fuse
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 3
From: Waco, TX
2003 ML350
2003 ML350 instrument cluster dead, good fuse
Hey y’all, I’ve got an issue…
When I dove into this car (‘03 ml350), one of the things I addressed was Freon in the A/C. I vacuum the system for nearly an hour, the added 26 ounces of r134a with a good dose of leak detection dye. System took it great and cooled beautifully (42°F at vents). A/C performed great for several months but then abruptly stopped cooling. I say abruptly, but car doesn’t get driven much currently, and it cooled great, then after sitting for a couple weeks, it didn’t cool next time it was driven.
I figured I needed to add Freon and then track down the leak for a permanent fix. I evacuated the system again but when I tried to add freon it wouldn’t take more than 2oz. I realized the compressor wasn’t engaging so I started checking different fuses, relays, modules. Checked the fuse in the kick panel for instruments and ac and it was good. With a test light I’m getting voltage at both sides of fuse.
All was good, except no air con, but now I’ve got no gauges, dash lights, Ac controls, etc…fuse is still good and nothing else that I can find is causing it.
Any ideas? AAM possibly? Climate control module?
When I dove into this car (‘03 ml350), one of the things I addressed was Freon in the A/C. I vacuum the system for nearly an hour, the added 26 ounces of r134a with a good dose of leak detection dye. System took it great and cooled beautifully (42°F at vents). A/C performed great for several months but then abruptly stopped cooling. I say abruptly, but car doesn’t get driven much currently, and it cooled great, then after sitting for a couple weeks, it didn’t cool next time it was driven.
I figured I needed to add Freon and then track down the leak for a permanent fix. I evacuated the system again but when I tried to add freon it wouldn’t take more than 2oz. I realized the compressor wasn’t engaging so I started checking different fuses, relays, modules. Checked the fuse in the kick panel for instruments and ac and it was good. With a test light I’m getting voltage at both sides of fuse.
All was good, except no air con, but now I’ve got no gauges, dash lights, Ac controls, etc…fuse is still good and nothing else that I can find is causing it.
Any ideas? AAM possibly? Climate control module?
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 65
Likes: 8
From: NC Mountains
2000 ML 320/95 Ford F150 4x4/Harley Davidson 03 FLHRCI in vivid black
Hey y’all, I’ve got an issue…
When I dove into this car (‘03 ml350), one of the things I addressed was Freon in the A/C. I vacuum the system for nearly an hour, the added 26 ounces of r134a with a good dose of leak detection dye. System took it great and cooled beautifully (42°F at vents). A/C performed great for several months but then abruptly stopped cooling. I say abruptly, but car doesn’t get driven much currently, and it cooled great, then after sitting for a couple weeks, it didn’t cool next time it was driven.
I figured I needed to add Freon and then track down the leak for a permanent fix. I evacuated the system again but when I tried to add freon it wouldn’t take more than 2oz. I realized the compressor wasn’t engaging so I started checking different fuses, relays, modules. Checked the fuse in the kick panel for instruments and ac and it was good. With a test light I’m getting voltage at both sides of fuse.
All was good, except no air con, but now I’ve got no gauges, dash lights, Ac controls, etc…fuse is still good and nothing else that I can find is causing it.
Any ideas? AAM possibly? Climate control module?
When I dove into this car (‘03 ml350), one of the things I addressed was Freon in the A/C. I vacuum the system for nearly an hour, the added 26 ounces of r134a with a good dose of leak detection dye. System took it great and cooled beautifully (42°F at vents). A/C performed great for several months but then abruptly stopped cooling. I say abruptly, but car doesn’t get driven much currently, and it cooled great, then after sitting for a couple weeks, it didn’t cool next time it was driven.
I figured I needed to add Freon and then track down the leak for a permanent fix. I evacuated the system again but when I tried to add freon it wouldn’t take more than 2oz. I realized the compressor wasn’t engaging so I started checking different fuses, relays, modules. Checked the fuse in the kick panel for instruments and ac and it was good. With a test light I’m getting voltage at both sides of fuse.
All was good, except no air con, but now I’ve got no gauges, dash lights, Ac controls, etc…fuse is still good and nothing else that I can find is causing it.
Any ideas? AAM possibly? Climate control module?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 3
From: Waco, TX
2003 ML350
That presents another problem…all my computers and column are from a junk yard car that had a blade key. I bought the car from impound without a key or fob, found an identical car at the pick n’ pull that had a blade key in the ignition and got everything to get mine running. Everything worked great until I went to MB dealer to try and get a fob… they wouldn’t touch my car because the programmed VIN didn’t match actual VIN and they said they’d need proof of ownership for the programmed VIN car.
I suspect the AAM is my culprit but I’ll have to find someone with MB Star that doesn’t have a stick jammed in their…ahem, you get the point.
I suspect the AAM is my culprit but I’ll have to find someone with MB Star that doesn’t have a stick jammed in their…ahem, you get the point.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 65
Likes: 8
From: NC Mountains
2000 ML 320/95 Ford F150 4x4/Harley Davidson 03 FLHRCI in vivid black
That presents another problem…all my computers and column are from a junk yard car that had a blade key. I bought the car from impound without a key or fob, found an identical car at the pick n’ pull that had a blade key in the ignition and got everything to get mine running. Everything worked great until I went to MB dealer to try and get a fob… they wouldn’t touch my car because the programmed VIN didn’t match actual VIN and they said they’d need proof of ownership for the programmed VIN car.
I suspect the AAM is my culprit but I’ll have to find someone with MB Star that doesn’t have a stick jammed in their…ahem, you get the point.
I suspect the AAM is my culprit but I’ll have to find someone with MB Star that doesn’t have a stick jammed in their…ahem, you get the point.
Whats the old rule of thumb? Anyone can get beat with a stick, as long as it's no bigger aroung than ya thumb Keep the faith, those Keepers are out there.
