2000 clk 430 110k miles
I have 4 malfunctions show up on my instrument panel, check lights, abs, bas and esp. Found blown brake light fuse. Replacing the blown 15 amp fuse gets rid of all malfunctions displayed. But it is only temporarily, will get the same malfunctions show up later that day or the next.
I replaced the brake light switch from the dealer yesterday and later that day the same 4 malfunctions came back with no brake lights and another blown fuse. Checked the brake light bulb holders in the trunk for loose connectons, chaffed wires, etc. All the bulbs are good. It doesn't blow the fuse right away so I can usually drive the car a few times before it happens again.
Don't know where to go from here, any suggestions ????

 

probably have a bad taillight assembly that houses the bulbs. they melt and can cause that. i have seen the same thing happen on other CLKs. try unplugging one taillight at a time and depress the brake pedal until the fuse blows. then try the other light. if the fuse does blow still even with them unplugged then the problem is something else other than the taillights. i do understand that you say it take a few days for the fuse to blow.

 

Thanks for the reply, I will give that a try and let you know.

 

also check the wiring harness from the taillights back along the fenders ive seen them chaff on the metal suports in the trunk.

 

i have seen this before also 221 chassie is onto something also check your 3rd brake light housing as well mayne the harness where it goes up the trunk hinge arm it may have a problem there

 

UPDATE: Problem Solved

I found a pinched/chaffed 3rd brake light wire. It was about 8 inches from the connector end after removing the rear deck lid. The wire was getting pinched between the rear sunshade motor arm and the metal support structure. I could not see the problem w/o removing the deck lid.

The hardest part was removing the rear headrests. PIA

Thanks for the help