blower fuse started a fire in my engine compartment! - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

elkadi · #31 08-31-2007, 02:16 PM

This is a 30 amp blade type fuse, not 25. You can monitor the current drawn by the blower motor using a clamp amp meter if you have one available.

wscheffer · #32 09-01-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevebfl

I've seen this a number of times. In all cases the problem was either a wrong too long screw on the feed side or a continued disreguard for a high resistance connection till the point where the heat allowed the circuit to melt down allowing the screw to touch the body on the feed side.

Tight clean connections of original specification have no problems even with shorted components. The fuse will blow.

I agree, no matter what was at fault the fuse should have blown. That is what they are designed for. As long as everything is kept orderly and to manufacture specs this should never happen.

mbz300ce · #33 11-02-2007, 10:32 AM

This Just happened to me I could not believe it. I was driving 60 mph on a crowded free way when my car shut off by its self I pulled over immediately next to a wall and traffic inches away. I noticed the smoke coming out of my hood. I opened it and flames were erupting out I put the fire out as quickly as I could by blowing it out. Two minutes latter a Miami Dade police officer stopped ask me if everything was okay I told him what happen he asked me if everything was under control and told him I just called a tow truck he said okay and left (he was a worh less). Florida highway patrol saw me and stopped to protect me from the traffic flying by inches away. When a semi truck almost slams into me slamming his breaks witch looked up and almost causing a major accident. At that time the officer and I almost crapped ourselves and decided to move the car to the far right he turned on his lights and pushed my car with the patrol car to cross all 6 lanes of heavy fast moving traffic.
It could have been a lot worst I could have burn to death. Luckly I was the only one in the car.
I called Mercedes to file a complaint they told me that they would contact me back and took a report.
If this happened to you please call 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372)
I wanted to know how many people this has happen to.
I believe there should be a recall if it is happing to a lot of people because it could cost someone’s life.

MB-Dude · #34 11-02-2007, 11:45 AM

There is a very timely article in this month's Star Magazine about fire safety and the recommendation for keeping a fire extinguisher and other life-safety equipment inside the vehicle.
Cheers,
Jeff

Randy · #35 11-02-2007, 09:39 PM

Some of the W126s were upgraded in the field because of fires and damage to the fuse block and wiring due to heating of the terminals for the blower fuse: the blower draws a lot of amps when on HIGH, and that happens a lot here in the South; the terminals get hot due to resistance, even though the current is not enough to blow the fuse. The plastic fuse block holder turns loose of the terminal and the hot side contacts something grounded or another wire, and POOF. In my case, I was going down the Interstate, when white smoke started pouring from under the instrument panel in billows; turns out the terminal screw had contacted the wire coming from the outside temp sensor behind the front bumper, melted through the insulation, and applied 12V to the temp sensor. Egad. The fix was to remove the fuse for the blower and install a fuse holder and a 30 amp fuse outside the big fuse box. Rather than the official Mercedes-Benz part, I bought a holder at a parts store; worked perfectly. Also periodically replace all the fuses and keep wiring terminals clean and tight. And if you are having weird electrical problems, locate, clean, and tighten the grounding points.
Another thing: clean the leaves out of the firewall well, before your car burns up! Mine had so many leaves in there that it's a wonder it had not already burned before I got it. I was cleaning it out because their presence offended me, when I learned about the resistor being in there. Also I figure they will promote rust in this area. At any rate, it's much better they are not there.

karim · #36 01-19-2008, 08:22 PM

the blower in my 420sel was not working so I started troubleshooting from the fuse box .I found the fuse intact but the plastic of the fuse box at that location was melted and as the metal contact distanced itself the fuse lost contact saving the whole box and dice. I jerry rigged the connection to figure out what was going on and found within a matter of seconds the fan would run but the fuse and contacts where extremely hot(could not touch them).I then pulled the fuse and still have not resolved the high current draw. if any one has any ideas I would like to hear their opinion. The car has 200.000 km ,my aussie ford fairlane has more than 1/2 a million km and I have never seen anything like it

babymog · #37 05-19-2011, 07:06 PM

I believe that the blower fuse looks identical to the glowplug fuse in the 124, except one is 30a and the other is 80a, a simple mistake for a mechanic unfamiliar with this car to make and one possibility.

maurinquina · #38 04-05-2013, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdplayer

I just bought a 1984 126 and drove it 700 miles home with no problem. But one Sat. while checking the AC operation under the hood a small fire erupted just under the brake master cylinder. As it turned out this car had been parked under trees. And a bunch of leaves had collected in a space behind the engine and in front of the firewall. Well, over time these leaves became compacted and eventually collected near the blower resister. The resister is a metal box like a big piece of swiss cheese with four springs inside it. It was the springs that glowed red hot that ignited the leaves. Lucky for me the car was idling in my drive way when the heat generated by the resistor finally caught the leaves on fire. No damage though. I replaced the resistor and the blower motor too. I used a strong shop vac to remove the debris. Now all is well.
Just thought I would bring this up. And for everyone to take a closer look at the small space under their brake master cylinders.

If you check this video you'll see at 0:46 that the blower resistor on this W126 coupe has been moved to a more sexier location. It's safe there and it'll always get hit by air from fan and no leave accumulation issues. I think that's a very good, permanent mod. Ok, just went to confirm and it turns out that all right hand W126 cars had the resistor mounted near the reservoir tank. I have posted pictures of what I could find. Turns out it isn't a mod but done by factory for RHD cars. I think I'll do that to my 1991 420 as a permanent fix. Location is perfect ! Questions do arise why the resistor is always mounted opposite the blower motor in the engine bay. RHD would have the blower motor on the left side passenger side and the resistor is mounted on the right side in engine bay. On US and Euro the opposite is true. Here is the youtube SEC 500SEC 2.5" Custom Twin Exhaust Sound and takeoff with LSD - YouTube as I mentioned what we're looking for is at 0:46. If anyone could let me know if it's feasible or a danger due to running wires which will carry serious current. With other words : Let the think-tank session commence

Thanks

whunter · #39 04-08-2013, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maurinquina

If you check this video you'll see at 0:46 that the blower resistor on this W126 coupe has been moved to a more sexier location. It's safe there and it'll always get hit by air from fan and no leave accumulation issues. I think that's a very good, permanent mod. Ok, just went to confirm and it turns out that all right hand W126 cars had the resistor mounted near the reservoir tank. I have posted pictures of what I could find. Turns out it isn't a mod but done by factory for RHD cars. I think I'll do that to my 1991 420 as a permanent fix. Location is perfect ! Questions do arise why the resistor is always mounted opposite the blower motor in the engine bay. RHD would have the blower motor on the left side passenger side and the resistor is mounted on the right side in engine bay. On US and Euro the opposite is true. Here is the youtube SEC 500SEC 2.5" Custom Twin Exhaust Sound and takeoff with LSD - YouTube as I mentioned what we're looking for is at 0:46. If anyone could let me know if it's feasible or a danger due to running wires which will carry serious current. With other words : Let the think-tank session commence

Thanks

That is nice.

.

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