Okay, I decided to get off my lazy ass and check things out.

The tail light upgrade is only a simple change from the little round single filament bulbs to the better 1156 style bulbs. I removed all those bulbs...Pop...there goes the fuse. Ok, not the bulbs. So I scratch my head a bit and take a closer look and notice that my Dash lights, rear indicator lights, my Passenger side indicator lamp, and only one (drivers) rear inboard marker lamp is not functioning. whih I'd expect because they are all on the same circuit. but why leave the two indicator lamps lit when the entire circuit is down??

So I played some more, the Fuse 8a. Doesn't pop with the car off.
if I turn the lights on they come on. if they're off while I start the car the fuse doesn't pop. If they are on when I start the car, the plugs glow, when I turn the engine over, the lights in the dash dimm then pop goes the fuse.

So My determination was that something is overloading that circuit when the starter engages.

On further investigation, and trial and error I tested the battery. 12.25V no load except clock and radio.
Car running, no load again just the radio and clock. 12.60V UH OH I said.
Alternator or battery. an obvious and servere problem when I think of the glow plugs.

But is the blowing fuse and the faulty battery and/or alt. connected some how? could the voltage regulator malfunction in such a way that it sends a surge thru only one circuit?
I will consult my ETM and see what I see....

anyone have any ideas or theorys?

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RIP: 80 300SD
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2002 E430 4matic (212,000km)
2002 ML500 'sport'

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