Your Mercedes is a marvel of German engineering and Mercedes-Benz is considered one of the most reliable cars on the road. Yet, the aluminum fuse failure is a common issue and can cause havoc with the electrical system of your car. There is an inherent design problem where the aluminum touches copper, and it corrodes rapidly. However, the bright side is that this is an issue that can be handled very easily. It is advisable to take your Mercedes to a garage with professional and trained mechanics who can diagnose the problem and replace the part correctly.
What is the Purpose of Aluminum Fuses?
The aluminum fuses in your Mercedes are safety valves for your car’s electrical system. These fuses are there to regulate the flow of electrical current. They prevent excess current from passing through the system, which could damage critical components. In fact, as a safety precaution, if too much current does pass into the electrical system, the fuse will blow out and stop current from entering the system, to prevent further damage.
How do you know there is a Fuse Malfunction?
If you notice any of the following issues with your Mercedes, then probably the aluminum fuse could be to blame. Modern cars are run by sensors. These sensors are actually microprocessors, which require electricity to run. So, any time you notice an electrical system failure, make sure to check whether the aluminum fuse is still working.
- Windshield wipers not working
- Cannot roll windows up or down
- Radio not working
- Navigation system/GPS not working
- Locks not working
- Cabin lights are not turning on
- Exterior lights—headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals aren’t working
- Climate control–the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) system not working
- The infotainment center not working
- Diagnostic lights, MILs (Malfunction Indicator Lights) not working on your dashboard
- Sound system not working
- Safety sensors, such as Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and other sensors not working
- Hopefully, you won’t need to find this out, but in case of an accident the front airbags nor the side curtains will deploy without electricity
- Complete loss of power, where the car won’t even start
Basically, you’ll begin to see problems with all the automated features of the car, which depend on the electrical system. A faulty aluminum fuse can cause a major electrical failure, which in turn can have a disastrous effect on your Mercedes. If you see any of these problems, don’t delay! Bring your Mercedes in for a check.
Some Causes for Aluminum Fuses to Fail
- Corrosion: When copper and aluminum come in contact with each other, there will be corrosion. Gradually the tips of the aluminum fuse degrade, and cannot regulate the flow of electricity, causing burnouts in the electrical system.
- Environmental Reasons: The environment can play a role in the degradation of the aluminum fuse. Factors such as humidity, excessive heat, or cold can put stress on the fuses and can have an adverse effect on them.
Fixing a Faulty Aluminum Fuse
There is no way to repair a damaged or failed aluminum fuse. The only option is to replace it with a ceramic fuse.
For the safety and well-being of both you and your car, this job should be done by trained technicians. If due to improper handling and installation, the entire electrical system is damaged, you will have pretty much bricked your Mercedes. It’s important to repeat here—your modern Mercedes requires electricity to run many of its systems.
We Will Help!
If you see any of the symptoms mentioned 
above, bring your Mercedes over to us, at Fifth Gear Automotive. We can diagnose the problem and offer you a realistic solution. If you want your Mercedes to operate smoothly, you should bring it in for regular, scheduled inspections and tune-ups. Do this before small problems become a tremendous mess!
All our technicians at Fifth Gear Automotive have special training to work on European cars, and other foreign vehicles. We can certainly work on our domestic brands too! We have modern diagnostic tools and state-of-the-art equipment. You can rest assured that your Mercedes will receive top-notch service from us.
We have multiple locations in Texas. You’ll find our Fifth Gear Automotive workshops in Lewisville, Argyle, and McKinney. Schedule an appointment for service, or call us. Better yet, stop by and find out how we can help you.
