MB Medic Mercedes-Benz Repair Guides, Service, How To DIY
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In this guide (5 sections)
Fuses on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W210 are located in several locations. First, we will show you where the fuse box is in your E-Class. You can also see a list of all the fuses, their designation, and their layout. The fuse boxes below apply to 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 models E320, E420, E430, and E55 AMG. Fuse assignments can vary by model year, production date, body style, market, engine, and optional equipment. Use the fuse allocation card installed in the vehicle as the final authority and verify the fuse position and amperage before replacement.
A W210 keeps its fuses in three places, and the chart below gives numbers without saying which box they sit in.
- Main box, engine bay. Left side near the windscreen, under the black cover. Engine management, ignition, cooling fans, ABS and the larger MAXI fuses.
- Auxiliary box, side of the dash. Behind the end cap, visible with the driver door open. Interior circuits, cluster, lighting, windows.
- Under the rear seat bench. Lift the cushion out. Rear circuits, the seat modules and some comfort equipment.
The chart uses two conventions worth knowing before you trust a number. A figure in parentheses is an alternate position that depends on how the car was built, so if the plain number comes up empty, check the bracketed one. SE marks special or optional equipment, which your car may simply not have, so an empty slot there is normal rather than a missing fuse.
A system listing several numbers usually has a supply feed, a control feed and often a separate sensor feed, so one intact fuse does not clear that system. Check every number against it.
The chart is alphabetical by function, so press Ctrl and F, or Command and F on a Mac, and type what has stopped working.
Main Fuse Box In the Engine Compartment
The main fuse box is on the engine compartment’s left side near the windshield. Here is a layout of the fuses in the main fuse box.
Fuse-chart notation:
Numbers in parentheses indicate alternate fuse assignments depending on model/equipment. SE indicates special/optional equipment. * indicates an alternate or configuration-dependent assignment.
| Function | Fuse number |
| ABS/ESP | 19,(11)* |
| Adjustable mirror, driver’s side | 16,(3)* |
| Adjustable mirror, passenger side | (1,3)* |
| Adjustable steering column | (8,9,13,14)* |
| ADS (SE) | 4 |
| Airbag systems | 10,13 |
| Anti-theft alarm system (SE) | 41,(5,11,19)* |
| Autom. comfort seat belt (SE) | 12 |
| Autom. Dimming ext. mirror (SE) | (4)* |
| Autom. Dimming int. mirror (SE) | (4)* |
| Autom. temperature control | 4,7 |
| Blower motor AC | 4,7 |
| Central locking system | 16,41,(1,4,5,19)* |
| Cigar lighter | 2 or 5 |
| COMAND (SE) | (5)* |
| Convenience locking | 16,41,(1,4,19)* |
| Cooler box (SE) | (10)* |
| Courtesy lights | 16,18,(1,2,19)* |
| Dome lights | (3,4,19)* |
| Driver’s power window | 16,(3)* |
| E-Call | (15)* |
| Engine fan | 20 |
| Engine residual heat system | 4,7,(5,19)* |
| Fanfare | 40,41 |
| Folding exterior mirror (SE) | 14 |
| Fuel pump | (6)* |
| Garage door opener | (4)* |
| Glove compartment light | 3 |
| Hazard warning flasher | 41 |
| Headlamp flasher | 3,41 |
| Headlamp range Xenon (SE) | 15 |
| Headlamp washer system (SE) | 41,45 |
| Heated mirror, driver’s side | 16 |
| Heated mirror, passenger side | (1)* |
| Heated rear window | 41,(19)* |
| Heated booster (SE) | 15 |
| Instrument cluster | 4,7 |
| Language control system | 4,7,10(15)* |
| Locking check–back | 41,(5,19)* |
| Make-up mirrors | (4)* |
| Multi-function steering wheel | 10 |
| Parktronic system (SE) | 15 |
| Passenger side power window | (1,3)* |
| Power window, rear left | 18,(3)* |
| Power window, rear right | (2,3)* |
| Radio | (5)* |
| Rain sensor (SE) | (4)* |
| Rear head release | 41,(5,19)* |
| Rear plug socket (T-model) | 11 |
| Rear reading lamp (SE) | 11,(3)* |
| Rear window wiper (T-model) | 12,41,44,(19)* |
| Remote trunk release | (3,5,19)* |
| Reverse gear recognition | (3)* |
| Seat adjustment Memory | 16,(1,8,9,13,14)* |
| Seat heater (SE) | 12,(17,18)* |
| Seat ventilation (SE) | (3)* |
| Sound system | (16)* |
| Steering lock | 9 |
| Sunblind for rear window (SE) | 12 |
| Tailgate closing assist (T-model) | (5,7,19)* |
| Telephone systems (SE) | (15)* |
| Tilting/sliding roof (SE) | 41,(4)* |
| Tire pressure monitor (SE) | 14,(15)* |
| Trailer power supply (SE) | (12)* |
| Trunk light | (3,19)* |
| Turn signal, t.s. indicator lamp | 3,41 |
| TV/Video (SE) | (10)* |
| Washer water heater | 42 |
| Windshield washer system | 41,43,(5,19)* |
| Wiper system | 3,41,44 |
Auxiliary Fuse Box on the Side of the Dash
Open the driver door and remove the side dash panel cover to access these fuses. 
Here is a picture of the fuse box
| Fuse | Ampere rating | Function |
| 1 | — | Not Assigned |
| 2 | 15 | Brakelamp /(Tempomat-cruise control) |
| 3 | 7,5 | Right high beam |
| 4 | 15 | Reversing lamp/turn signal lamp (Control, rear wiper/anti-dazzle rearview mirror Control, parking aid) |
| 5 | 7,5 | Left high beam |
| 6 | 15 | Right low beam |
| 7 | 7,5 | Right parking/taillamp side marker |
| 8 | 15 | Left low beam |
| 9 | 15 | Fog lamp |
| 10 | 7,5 | Left parking/tail lamp side marker |
| 11 | 7,5 | License plate/instrument cluster lighting/symbol lighting |
| 12 | 7,5 | Rear fog lamp |
Fuses Under the Rear Seat Bench
The third location of fuses is under the rear seat of your E-Class. To access the fuses, you will have to remove the back seat. Under your back seat, on both corners of the car, you will need to press this:
Or you can watch UrbanBoondocker, who posted a YouTube video showing you how to remove the rear seat.
A close-up picture shows the fuse layout in the fuse box under the rear seat.
Fuse List for the Box Under the Seat
| Function | Fuse number |
| Adjustable mirrors | 1,3,(16)* |
| Adjustable steering column | 8,9,13,14 |
| ADS (SE) | (4)* |
| Anti-theft alarm system (SE) | 5,11,19,(41)* |
| Autom. dimming ext. mirror (SE) | 4 |
| Autom. dimming int. mirror (SE) | 4 |
| Central locking system | 1,4,5,19,(16,41)* |
| COMMAND (SE) | 5 |
| Convenience locking | 1,4,19,(16,41)* |
| Courtesy lights | 1,2,19,(16,18)* |
| Dome lights | 3,4,19 |
| E-Call | 15 |
| Fuel pump | 6 |
| Garage door opener | 4 |
| Heated mirror, passenger side | 1 |
| Heated rear window | 19,(41)* |
| Language control system | 15,(4,7,10)* |
| Locking check-back | 5,19,(41)* |
| Make-up mirrors | 4 |
| Power windows | 1,2,3,(16,18)* |
| Radio | 5 |
| Rain sensor (SE) | 4 |
| Rear head release | 5,19,(41)* |
| Rear reading lamp (SE) | 3,(11)* |
| Rear window wiper (T-model) | 19,(12,41,44)* |
| Remote trunk release | 3,5,19 |
| Reverse gear recognition | 3 |
| Seat adjustment Memory | 1,8,9,13,14,(16)* |
| Seat heater (SE) | 17,18,(12)* |
| Seat ventilation (SE) | 3 |
| Sound system | 16 |
| Tailgate closing assist (T-model) | 5,7,19 |
| Telephone systems (SE) | 15 |
| Tilting/sliding roof (SE) | 4,(41)* |
| Tire pressure monitor (SE) | 15,(14)* |
| Trailer power supply (SE) | 12 |
| Trunk light | 3,19 |
| TV/Video (SE) | 10 |
| Windshield washer system | 5,19,(41,43)* |
When replacing the fuses, make sure to replace them with the same amperage fuse.
Fuse Colour and Amperage
Mercedes colour codes its fuses so you can read the rating without pulling the fuse right out. One catch before you match a fuse by colour: the standard blade fuses and the larger MAXI fuses reuse the same colours at different ratings. Red is 10 A as a blade fuse and 50 A as a MAXI. Blue is 15 A as a blade and 60 A as a MAXI. Judge by the physical size first, then the colour.
Standard Blade Fuses
| Colour | Rating |
|---|---|
| Beige | 5 A |
| Brown | 7.5 A |
| Red | 10 A |
| Blue | 15 A |
| Yellow | 20 A |
| White | 25 A |
| Green | 30 A |
MAXI Fuses, the Larger Cartridge Type
| Colour | Rating |
|---|---|
| Amber | 40 A |
| Red | 50 A |
| Blue | 60 A |
If you need to order replacement fuses, you can get a box with all the fuses you will ever need for under $20.
See fuse assortment kits on Amazon
Fuses do not wear out. They blow because current exceeded the rating, so a blown fuse is a symptom rather than the fault.
- Blew once and the new one holds. An event. Note it and move on.
- The new one blows the instant you fit it. A dead short to ground, often where a harness crosses a bulkhead or runs near something that moves.
- Blows after a few minutes or only under load. A motor or component drawing too much as it heats up.
The fuse protects the wire, not the component, so a larger fuse only lets more current into a circuit that is already faulty. On a car of this age also expect corrosion: a green or chalky fuse clip will drop voltage without blowing anything, and that reads as a dead circuit with a good fuse. Clean the clip and check for a brown or heat marked holder.
Reading Fault Codes on a W210 Is Not Just OBD2
This matters more on a W210 than on any later Mercedes, and it catches people out constantly. These cars carry a 38 pin round diagnostic socket in the engine bay as well as the 16 pin OBD2 socket under the dash. The OBD2 port gives you engine emissions data and very little else. Nearly everything else on the car, the body electronics, ABS, airbags, climate and the transmission, answers on the 38 pin connector or through a manufacturer protocol the generic port will not reach.
So a basic code reader plugged into the OBD2 socket will report no faults on a W210 that is full of them. That is not a healthy car. That is a tool talking to one module out of a dozen.
No scan tool can see a blown fuse either. Nothing on either socket can. What a proper tool does is read the module behind the circuit and tell you whether it reports an open circuit, an overload or a dead output, which is the difference between replacing a part and replacing a module.
The YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro reads the manufacturer side of the car rather than just the emissions data, so on a W210 you see the modules a generic reader never reaches. It covers nearly everything XENTRY does apart from online VIN coding.
Related Reading
Where Is the Diagnostic Port
Port locations by model, including the 38 pin connector on cars of this era.
Understanding the SAM Module
What a failed module output looks like when every fuse tests good.
C-Class W203 Fuse Locations
The W203 bands its fuse numbers by box, which makes lookups quicker.
W220 S-Class and CL Fuse Chart
The big car of the same period, with its relay letters mapped too.
Before you buy parts, scan every control module, not just the engine. It shows the root fault behind the warning lights and tells you whether the problem is still active. See how to do a full health check.
For anyone whose W210 E320 starts for a second and then dies: if it cranks and catches, the starter and starter relay are doing their job. Check the MAF sensor and the crankshaft position sensor. The OBD2 port is under the lower driver side dash panel, behind a small cover held by 2 screws. The relays are in the box under the hood. There are 3 relays that may be identical, so you can swap them to test one if you do not have a multimeter.
The relay which controls the glow plugs stay on when plug is in relay and continue to stay on all the time even when engine is running causing check engine electric problems. If I disconnect the glow plug cable the relay does time out and the glow plugs relay turns off. It seems to work properly but if i plug the cable into the relay box the relay malfunction. Is the relay bad or the electronics computer defective.
My mercedes-benz is a 1998 e300 td
I have a 2001 E320
My radio and A/C information box does not work. Is there a fuse or relay that I need to replace.
My a/c only works on low
looking for starter fuse and relay to check if blown or damaged. why starter often fails to engage or crank longer than 1/10 second. yesterday it cold cranked 1/10 sec, 2nd try cranked 2/10sec, 3rd try it started.
i am used to car not starting but always starts by moving autobox gear selctor between park and drive, left and right or do a gearbox reset.
my 2002 e270 w210 cdi has 4 positions for fuses and relays, 3 as mentioned above plus 4th engine bay left side near heater duo valve. have multimetre will check all locations for blown fuses.
one of the rear number plate light fittings malfunctions, might need replacing-did the other side last month.
have fitted new mercedes brake switch, 1 new number plate lamp & new k140 or k40 relay??
problem persists.
think i am already on your mailing list!
A have Mercedes e-class Mo-1996 I like Mercedes its good car & top car in the world
Thank you MB Medic.
I am trying to find OBD 2 port fuse, on my 2000 Mercedes Benz E320, I was told there is one for OBD2 port? I have searched and not gotten a clear answer or reply, can someone assist me. Need clear directionsI bought new iCarSoft CE Plus scanner to pull my transmission out of limp mode (I had leak let it get to low 🙁 went into limp mode and also I am trying to figure out why my ax blower wont come on? I have new blower motor and bought 2 regulators all OEM equipment, yes expensive, 🙁 I was told to use OEM anything to do with Mercedes electrical parts 🙂 and I put in Freon everything comes on compressor but justwont blow and my scanner works on everyone elses car but my 2000 Mercedes Benz E320, I appreciate all the help,