2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Logo
Posted on Mar 17, 2009
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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E320 Electrical issu

I have a 2001 e320 4matic.
All electrical systems work fine. When I turn on my lights, I then lose use of windows, wipers, rear defrost, seats, and a few other things. Sunroof still works, lights work fine and dont want to break it again right now to get the full list. Even if I turn the lights off or the car off, nothing works still. If I disconnect the battery from the car and then reattach it, everything works until I turn on the lights again.
Thanks

  • ovedro Mar 21, 2009

    Thanks Farrout. I tried that but unfortunately, that did not work. I still cant figure out how to get things back without disconnecting the positive terminal from the battery. I do the negative first as you are supposed to but as soon as I reconnect the positive everything works again. I am still searching for a way to get it working without doing the battery. Not knowing too much, it seems that something gets charged and wont discharge. Maybe a relay getting stuck but I dont think that is the case since it is not immediate anymore. Sometimes I can drive for 10 minutes before it goes out. It used to be 2 seconds but not anymore.

  • ovedro Mar 21, 2009

    You were right. I went back down to look at things and lo and behold it was working again without touching the battery. Tested a couple more times and it just takes about 5 minutes after you plug the fuse back in and turn on the car. Now just trying to figure out what the part is as google is not turning up much as far as drivers door controller.

    Thanks again. Where do I send my payment:)

    THanks very much.

    Oved

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1 Answer

Dale Farr

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  • Expert 78 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 18, 2009
Dale Farr
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Joined: Mar 17, 2009
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Hi there;

I understand you have lost the use of the driver controled electrical in your E320. I have been through this before.
These cars have many, many,many, electrical controlers(computors). It sounds like youare having an issue with the drivers door controler, this is the controler that processes all of the comands from the drivers seat. What happens is, when you turn on your lights the comand confuses the controler it can only "think" about that one comand & it forgets all about the other commands.
The best way to tell if this is indeed the issue is to locate the fuse block under the hood directly in front of the driver. Find fuse #16, remove this fuse for about 1 min. then reinstall it. this should "reboot" that computer. This is basicly the same thing as disconnecting the battery only you are isolating the drivers door computer. If thisa works you will have everything working again untill you turn your lights on again. Also if this works you will need to have the drives door computor replaced to correct the issue. This not a cheep fix but unfortunately the only one.


Good luck, I hope this helps.
Farrout!

  • Dale Farr
    Dale Farr Mar 21, 2009



    Hi There;

    Awesome! That means you did the diagnostic yourself! Now the biggest issue is the part you need to replace is quite expensive & the only way to get it is really to get it from Mercedes. You can try to get one used, trouble is if you get a used one you'll likely be getting one that has or will have the same issue soon.

    If you do get a replacement you'll need to remove the door trim panel & you'll see it located right there in front of you. Make sure you get the replacement part first so you know what it looks like & you'll be able to see how it is connected to the door.

    I'm so glad you double checked, it just made your life much easier. the last customer I diagnosed this for simply pulls the fuse to reset it when ever it does this.



    God luck & Congratulations, You just diagnosed something a lot of techs couldn't!

    FARROUT!!!!!!!

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