Electrical connections and systems on MBZ are a joke compared to the rest of the world. lead fuse elements like pre WWII, direct bulb contact on circuit board foil leads, biodegradeable wiring insulation, etc.

This stuff is like keystone cops designed it and incorporates none of the performance improvements the rest of the industry has developed. I guess the feeling at MBZ is 'if we did not think of it--it can't be any good.' Only problem with that is all the great engineers of previous years are gone and 'computer based' design doesn't ever capture field experience like good ears used to.

The MBZ computer controls system is extremely sensitive to faulty connection. They did things right when they started with ABS in the very early 80's, but after about 10 years things went to pot. Only worse since then as they increase complexity of the computerized control systems so much that usually something is always not working. The replacement 'boxes' are tremendously costly because they are special purpose and low volume--every system has unique computer. Chrysler has 1 computer and a lot of different software programs.