Radio fuse blows on ignition use

[Doug41]

1986 560SL. I have started to blow some fuses. First, it was the fuse that has the outdoor temp gauge on it, and now it's the radio fuse. Sometimes the fuse blows immediatly when I start the car, other times when I shut the car off. I can tell because the radio and the clock are on the same fuse, and the time is stopped when the fuse blows, obviously.

Is this related to the ignition switch as it is in some of the other cars?

If so, is this a DIYS project, or must I have someone else do it?

What should I expect to pay for an ignition switch?

[Ridge]

I may be off base here since my cars are all 123 MBZs, but if your fuses are like mine, they can become oxidized on their tips and cause high amp draws across them causing them to blow. Check them out and clean the ends up with some fine abrasive. You might check the fuse clips while you have the fuses out, too. Hope this helps.

I working around these cars for years, I've accidently shorted out the system once and the results scared the hell out of me but the wiring never, never fried. They're very well built.

Good luck, let us know if it helps.

Ben

[Doug41]

I would agree, except the new fuses have been blowing, too. I will try cleaning the fuse holder contacts, though.

[Doug41]

For anyone following this post, I found the problem. The small 4-conductor wiring harness that is tied to the trunk lid on teh right hand side had, over time, broken 3 of the four conductors, and it was shorting the wires to ground. I opened up the clth braid and re-spliced the wires and all is well.

[Ridge]

Doug41,

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad you're happy with your MBZ again. Persistance pays off.

Ben