1998-2005 Mercedes-Benz ML (W163) Fuse Box Location and Fuse Chart

Last updated: October 29, 2026

In this guide (7 sections)

1. Where is the fuse box on a Mercedes-Benz ML320, ML350, ML430 or ML500?
2. Fuse Guide Applications
3. The main fuse box in the engine bay
4. The auxiliary fuse box in the passenger footwell
5. What type of fuse do I need to replace the blown fuse on my Mercedes-Benz?
6. When the Fuse Is Good and the Circuit Is Still Dead
7. Questions from Mercedes-Benz Owners

Are you looking for the fuse box location in your Mercedes-Benz M-Class (W163)? In this guide, you will learn how to access the fuse box panel, see a copy of the fuse layout diagram, and the fuse assignment.

Where is the fuse box on a Mercedes-Benz ML320, ML350, ML430 or ML500?

• The main fuse box is located in the engine compartment, driver’s side.
• The auxiliary fuse box is located inside the cabin, in the passenger’s footwell.

Fuse Guide Applications

Model:	ML 320 ML 350 ML 430 ML 500 ML 55 AMG
Years:	1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Chassis:	W163
Make:	Mercedes-Benz

The main fuse box in the engine bay

The main fuse box is located in the engine bay. It is on the left (driver’s) side of the engine. Pull the two tabs toward the front, and lift the fuse panel cover.

Fuses in the engine bay ML Class 1998-2002 W163

Fuse #	Purpose, Designation, Function	Ampere
1	12-volt outlet socket	15
2	Left turn signal lamps	7.5
3	Right main headlight, headlamp	7.5
4	Sunroof, moon roof motor	20/40
5	Left beam headlamp, headlight	7.5
6	Lift gate wiper motor	7.5
7	wiper and washer system, front	30
8	Transfer case box	25
9	Instrument and license plate illumination	7.5
10	Anti-dazzle mirror, vanity mirror, emergency call, RADIO, glove light	10
11	Fuel injection valves, engine functions	15
12	Parking lamp left	7.5
13	Steering angle sensor, footwell plus ceiling lights, onboard diagnosis	10
14	Engine control unit, diesel, fuel injection system	25
15	Brake stop lamps, brake light switch	10
16	Airbag control unit, SRS, A/C Air Conditioner system, gear selector module, instrument cluster	15
17	12-volt outlet on the passenger side, rear	20
18	Trailer socket, battery positive	25
19	Oxygen sensor, scavenging valve, fuel tank ventilation, vacuum pump, engine functions	15
20	Mirror heater	15
21	Sound system, radio, telephone, sound amplifier	25
22	Traction control, transmission, steering angle sensor, diagnosis, ML55 suction fan, rain sensor, onboard computer, ETC, gear recognition, reverse, and park lock, transfer case control unit, ESP, fuel pump relay, engine electronics ME	15
23	Dynamic headlamp range adjustment	15
24	parking lamp, right	7.5
25	Turn signal lamp, right, trailer hitch, turn signal lamp	7.5
26	ignition coils	15
27	ABS hydraulic unit, traction control	40
28	heated seats	20
29	Power Window Switch, front left/rear right	30
30	Power Window Switch, front right/rear left	30
31	Switches, quarter window, mirror adjust, mirror lamps, rear vent window, outside mirror adjustment	15
32	Right Front, Seat adjustment switch, motor	30
33	Front Right, seat adjustment switch, motor	30
34	dipped beam headlamp left/headlight assembly range adjustment, left low beam, left headlamp	15
35	Low beam right (passenger side), Right front headlight unit.	15
36	Window heater, rear	30
37	Horn	20
38	Fuel pump, fuel level sensor	20
39	not used	–
40	vacuum pump for the engine	20
41	Recirculation pump, heater, Relay, coolant circulation pump, blower motor	25
42	Central locking door lock / unlock, keyfob remote	20
43	Heater fan, Blower motor	30
44	A/C, rear window washer pump, fan, air conditioner, engine fan stage 1, additional fan.	30
45	Air injection reactor pump, electrical air pump	40
46	Rear fog lamp bulb	7.5
47	Fog lamps, front, High Beam light	15
48	Alarm signal, horn

Relays in engine compartment, ML320, ML350, ML500 ML55 AMG

Relay	Function
K1	Heated outside mirror relay
K2	Horn
K3	Fuel pump
K4	Turn signal lamp, left
K5	Instrument cluster, license plate lights
K6	ESP Brake stop lamp suppression
K7	Turn signal lamp, right
K8	starter, solenoid switch, KI 50 relay
K9	Parking lamp, right
K10	Not used
K11	Terminal 15, voltage supply for diesel
K12	circuit 15 relay
K13	Parking lamp left
K14	comfort convenience relay
K15	Central locking for doors, tailgate
K16	Power windows right
K17	Windshield wiper blades, interval
K18	Power window left
K19	Heater, recirculation pump, e-box fan
K20	Central door locking system, all doors, tailgate, and fuel tank
K21	Fan Heater
K22	Dipped beam headlamp, contact piece, daytime driving light relay
K23	Central door locking system, passenger door, rear doors
K24	Central door locking, driver’s door, and fuel tank filler cap
K25	ABS Hydraulic Unit
K26	Fan air conditioning system
K27	rear window washer pump
K28	Air injection reactor pump
K29	Rear fog lamp
K30	Fog headlamp / AUX
K31	alarm horn

The auxiliary fuse box in the passenger footwell

A second fuse box is located in the passenger footwell. This is the auxiliary fuse box. To access the fuses inside, you must twist the two plastic locks and pull the cover towards the back of the engine.

Fuses in the auxiliary panel.

Fuse	Purpose	Ampere
1	Instrument cluster, Airbag indicator	7.5
2	Cigarette outlet, lighter	20
3	Rear window wiper	15
4	E Call emergency call system, TeleAid	7.5
5	Instrument Cluster	7.5
6	Cockpit socket 12-volt outlet	20
7	not used
8	Heated seats	20
9	not used
10	Power seat adjustment left	30
11	Power seat adjustment, right	30
12	not used
13	electric fuel pump	20
17	Heated rear window	25
19	Headlamp cleaning system	30
26	Circuit 15	70

Relays are located in the fuse and relay box, by the passenger’s footwell.

Relay	Purpose, Function
K1	Seat comfort relay
K2	electric fuel pump
K4	Heated rear window
K5	Headlamp cleaning system
K9	Circuit 15

What type of fuse do I need to replace the blown fuse on my Mercedes-Benz?

When replacing a blown fuse, use a fuse with the same ampere rating. The fuse rating is written on the fuse. You can verify that you are using the correct fuse by ensuring the fuse colors for the blown fuse and the new fuse match. This indicates the same ampere rating.

Your Mercedes-Benz uses standard automotive blade fuses; a blade fuse assortment is worth keeping in the car. A box of 100 fuses, including all the different ampere ratings you need, costs less than $20 on Amazon. If the fuse checks good and the problem persists, the fault is in the circuit or the module itself. On the W163 the transfer case is on fuse 8, and its control unit shares fuse 22 with the ESP and engine electronics; if the LOW RANGE light is flashing, see our guide to the ML low range problem. For the 2006 to 2011 ML, use the W164 fuse box chart instead. The next step is reading fault codes with one of the best OBD2 scanners for Mercedes-Benz.

When the Fuse Is Good and the Circuit Is Still Dead

A good fuse with a dead circuit usually means a failed relay, a wiring fault or a control unit that has stopped responding, and the control units on the W163 store a fault when that happens. A basic code reader shows engine codes only. A scanner that reads every control unit, such as the UCAN-II Pro, shows which module logged the fault or is not answering at all, which tells you whether to look at the relay in the chart above or at the module it feeds.

Questions from Mercedes-Benz Owners

I blew the main fusible link on my ML. Where is it and what do I replace it with?

The main fusible links sit in the prefuse box at the battery positive cable. Replace a blown link only with one of exactly the same rating, and find out why it blew before you do: a shorted cable, a failed alternator or a reversed jump start will blow the new one too, or worse, damage wiring.

I touched the battery terminal to the body while tightening it and now the dash is dead or the car is in limp mode. What happened?

The short most likely blew a main fuse or fusible link in the prefuse box, which cuts power to a group of modules. Check those fuses first. If they are good, read the fault codes from all modules: a short can leave low voltage or communication faults that need clearing, and in rare cases it damages a module. A full system scan with the UCAN-II Pro shows which modules lost power.

The CD changer in the trunk stopped working. Could it be a fuse?

Check its fuse in the chart above first. On the W163 and other cars with the D2B fiber optic audio ring, a failed CD changer can also break the ring and take the radio, phone and amplifier down with it. A scan of the audio gateway shows which unit on the ring is not responding.