This strangeness started about 2 weeks ago and I haven't figured it out, so I thought I'd see what everyone here had to say about it.

My problem is that the power windows, sunroof, and glove box light all work intermittently. The fuses are fine and when they are working, they don't do anything out of the ordinary. The backlighting to the switches works even when the windows and sunroof aren't, but I figured that's because it must be on a different circuit, but I think that windows are on a different circuit than the sunroof and glove box light too. Also, one other thing that I noticed while driving the car at night was that sometimes when I go to start the car and turn the key to either position 1 or 2 the instrument cluster and switch backlighting come on without the headlight switch turned on at all.

Anyway, I obviously have a loose ground or wire somewhere and I was hoping somebody could point me in the right direction of where to look.

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1998 E320 Wagon

1992 300D 2.5 TURBO

1991 560SEL M119.960

1986 300SDL TURBO

1992 500SL Parts Car

1991 420SEL Parts Car

The fuse box and its fuses get oxidised ends ,try new fuses.

I replaced every fuse in there with new copper/ceramic ones of the correct amperage. Anyone know if there is a common link between all of these things that would be causing them to act up at the same time?

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1998 E320 Wagon

1992 300D 2.5 TURBO

1991 560SEL M119.960

1986 300SDL TURBO

1992 500SL Parts Car

1991 420SEL Parts Car

While I was driving yesterday I figured out that if I pressed in on the key then everything would work. It doesn't feel like there is that much play in the tumbler, but perhaps there is something loose in the ignition switch? I'm not sure if it's the key and tumbler or that switch behind there. Has anyone else had a similar problem or some idea of what exactly is at fault?

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1998 E320 Wagon

1992 300D 2.5 TURBO

1991 560SEL M119.960

1986 300SDL TURBO

1992 500SL Parts Car

1991 420SEL Parts Car

So, I finally broke down and decided to just replace the ignition switch in the 190D with a spare one that I had laying around from when I had to replace the entire steering lock in 300SDL. Well, it seems to have solved all of the problems with intermittent windows, sunroof, cigar lighter, glove box light, windshield wiper, and whatever else was being weird as far as the electrical goes. Just wanted to let everyone know that if they are having problems with electrical items in their car and it's not the fuses, a broken wire somewhere, a relay, or the item itself hasn't failed, remember that everything that only comes on while the key is in the number 1 or 2 position has to go through that key switch. I'm just glad I found out what it was and it didn't cost anything except for my time. Thanks for the replies and hope this helps out a couple of people.

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1998 E320 Wagon

1992 300D 2.5 TURBO

1991 560SEL M119.960

1986 300SDL TURBO

1992 500SL Parts Car

1991 420SEL Parts Car

brilliant solution. in a million years i wouldn't of thought to replace the ignition switch

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