W164 UK ML300 lights stay on, plus other problems, with video and picture links

[ML270CDIDriver]

[I am tearing my hair out with this one.]

I have a W164 ML300 UK 59-plate with almost 97,000 miles on the clock.

Two months ago, the battery went flat overnight. The culprits were the front side lights - they wouldn't shut off. RAC were called and they said the battery was damaged and Ihad to get a new one. A local garage fitted one for approximately £250.

Also, intermittently, I started getting warnings for left brake light. On checking, the bulb is fine and cleaning up the contacts on the bulb, the holder and the connection plate doesn't fix it.

Then, two weeks ago, the dash started to light up once the car was locked. Every 10 seconds some of the warning lights would flash, once, in unison. This also drained the battery overnight.

I put it into a local garage and they'd obviously read on MB forums about problems with SAM units and water leakage. They said they'd dried it out and I got the car back, seemingly fixed. No such luck - the front side lights have started coming on when the car is locked.

So, here's a videos of the weird dash behaviour:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/EVb1wkimQWuyDL4V7

Here's a video of the car being locked, then the dash lighting up:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ttVvCs9PyPRRMaFz7

Here's a picture of the rear SAM unit UNDER THE BACK SEAT. Note that it's bone dry and there's no evidence of it ever having seen water:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/iQ1DWo4unf4E5NrG8

Here's a picture of the rear fuse box, without a SAM. Note that there's a bit of orange (rust) at the bottom, but no obvious dampness:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wxKLthJeLge79CbN7

I've not removed the driver's seat to look at the front SAM, but the garage didn't report any dampness when they replaced the battery.

So, since I'm not experiencing any dampness and the rear SAM isn't in the area most people have trouble, does anyone have any ideas what's happening? Maybe it's not the SAM at fault?

Thanks.

 

[AndrewOl]

Dash lights staying on after locking is common if the EIS is faulty. Get it to a mb indy who will be able to diagnose properly. They can I believe be repaired but I replaced mine with a new unit. Can't see your photos btw.

 

[ML270CDIDriver]

Okay, thanks for that.

The system wouldn't let me upload the videos.

Here's the picture of the SAM unit under the back seat.



Here's the photo of the rear fuse box with no SAM: