2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 670 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 17 involved a crash and 19 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: exterior lighting
138 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Oct 17, 2016
I BOUGHT MY MERCEDES BENZ AND NOTICE THAT MY TAIL LIGHT AND THE LIGHT ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR WILL TURN ON BY ITSELF WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE MORNING MY CAR BATTERY WILL BE DEAD NEEDING A CHARGE. I HAD A RECALL FROM MERCEDES BENZ DEALER AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SUPPOSEDLY THEY FIX IT AND THE CAR HAD GOTTEN WORSE. IT HAD BURNED THE HARNESSES AND FOG HARNESS, WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WAS ACTING LIKE SHUTTING OFF THE RADIO AND AC WILL START SHUTTING OFF AND TURNING ON AT THE SAME TIME WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. RIGHT NOW MY CAR ONLY HAVE WORKING THE HIGH BEAM. I BEEN GETTING A LOT OF RECALLS FOR THIS CAR BUT REALLY IT SEEMS LIKE I'M LOOSING MY TIME . *TR
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Aug 22, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), 15V711000 (AIR BAGS), AND 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Structure, Jun 14, 2016, crash
"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AROUND 10:30 AM IN MY 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300 ENJOYING THE COMMUTE. AS I APPROACHED THE STOP LIGHT.....BLANK!!!! I LASTLY REMEMBER BREAKING ....TO OPEN MY WATERING EYES TO SEE THAT I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND DON'T RECALL ANYTHING AT ALL. AS I GET UP IN REALIZED THAT MY HEAD HURTS AND THERE WAS A SMALL TEAR IN THE STEERING WHEEL AS A SMALL PORTION OF THE BAG DEPLOYED BUT NOT FULLY.. IT APPEARED TO BE A FAULTY BAG THAT HAS CAUSED THIS SERIOUS INCONVENIENCE.
Exterior lighting, Jun 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO WORK AND VARIOUS INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) IN 2013, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Exterior lighting, Mar 25, 2016
TAKATA RECALL RIGHT TAIL LIGHT HAS A BROWN BURNT WIRE, AND THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS DIM. SO I BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I NEED TO PAY FOR OR WOULD THIS BE SOMETHING THAT I COULD GET A RECALL ON? THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHILE BRAKING.
Exterior lighting, Mar 25, 2016
TAKATA RECALL RIGHT TAIL LIGHT HAS A BROWN BURNT WIRE, AND THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS DIM. SO I BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I NEED TO PAY FOR OR WOULD THIS BE SOMETHING THAT I COULD GET A RECALL ON? THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHILE BRAKING.
Exterior lighting, Jan 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRING WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Exterior lighting, Jan 21, 2016
BACKGROUND: IN 2014, THERE WAS A RECALL OF C-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES DUE TO CORROSION ON THE CONNECTORS OF THE REAR TAIL LIGHT CAUSING THE LIGHT TO FAIL. MERCEDES BENZ FIX FRONT LIGHT CONNECTORS - NEW ISSUE: LEFT FRONT PARKING LIGHT IS INOPERABLE AND THE DASHBOARD WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON. WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PARKING LIGHT BULB REPLACED. THE MECHANIC VERIFIED THE CONCERN, REPLACING THE BULB DID NOT WORK. THE MECHANIC CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THE PARKING LAMP HARNESS HOLDER IS PEELING AND CORRODED CAUSING THE WIRE TO SHORT. MERCEDES BENZ WANTED ME TO PAY $1440.35 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND RECOMMENDED CHANGING THE RIGHT SIDE TOO EVEN THOUGH IT WAS OPERABLE. THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY ENCASES THE FRONT PARKING LIGHT BULBS (EYEBROW LIGHTS - 2 EACH) AND THE HEADLIGHT BULB. THE SERVICE ADVISOR, JEFF DECORTE INDICATED THAT HE SEES THIS ALL THE TIME WHICH IS WHY HE RECOMMENDED REPLACING BOTH SIDES OF THE ENTIRE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. BULB HOLDERS AND CONNECTORS SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER DUE TO THE PEELING AND CORROSION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE, THIS MAY BE POTENTIALLY ANOTHER RECALL EXCEPT NOW IT'S THE FRONT PARKING LIGHTS. PLEASE NOTE THAT MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT THE REQUIRED INTERVALS BY THE DEALER.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 30, 2015
CAR WAS AT THE PARKING FRONT OF MY HOME, ABOUT TO GO TO WORK , CAR WON'T START , NO WARNING , NOTHING, COMPLETELY DEAD, HAD TO BE WITHOUT CAR FOR A WEEK, REPAIR COSTS 1,200. TOWED TO MERCEDES SERVICE. SPECIFIC ISSUES WAS STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED. I HAVE SO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, LIGHTS, WINDOWS, TIRES, CONTROL POWER FAILS MANY TIMES WHEN CAR IS IN DRIVING MODE. SO MANY OWNERS HAS SAME PROBLEMS, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUES WHY THIS WASN'T REPORTED AND RECALL ON THIS ONE. THOUGHT MERCEDES CARS ARE MOST RELIABLE, OBVIOUSLY THAT'S NOT TRUE . *JS
Exterior lighting, Nov 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE REAR PASSENGER LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CORRODED CONNECTORS AND BULB HOLDERS WOULD NEED TO BE CHANGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 15, 2015
REAR LIGHTING CONSULS FAILING WHILE IN MOTION CAUSING RIGHT TURN BLINKER, REVERSE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND SAFETY LIGHTS TO NOT FUNCTION.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 14, 2015
FRONT PARKING LAMPS POOR CONNECTION WIRES INSULATION COME OFF VERY EASY FROM THE FRAME PLUG, PLUS WIRES ARE TO SHORT TO MAKE CORRECTION(SPLICE) INSIDE THE HEAD LIGHT HOUSING. ALL THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIR FROM RECALL ON TAIL LIGHTS. I SAW ON THE INTERNET AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAS THIS PROBLEM FOR THIS PROBLEM, I WAS DRIVING ON THE DARK STREET AND ALL LIGHTS WENT OFF LIKE FOR 5 SECONDS, THAT WHY I GOT SCARE, I WAS WITH MY WIFE AND MY 5 MONTHS OLD DAUGHTER, MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD REPORT THIS AS RECALL, IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I NEED TO CHANGE THE WHOLE HOUSING, I TOOK THE CAR TO DOWNT TOWN LA SERVICE DEPARTMENT, FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION LOCK SWITCH, I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND ALSO A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE SOME ONE WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE C300 MODELS. THANK YOU *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 4, 2015
THE CAR WON'T START WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A MERCEDES MECHANIC AND HE CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AFTER BEING LOOKED AT FOR A B1 SERVICE. WE THOUGHT THIS WOULD FIX IT. NOW IT WON'T START AGAIN. WHEN TURN THE KEY, EVERYTHING LIGHTS UP AS IF THE CAR IS GOING TO START BUT IT WON'T. IT HAD BEEN STARTING AFTER TURNING THE KEY A FEW TIMES AND EVENTUALLY IT WOULD CATCH. THE PROBLEM STARTED 2 WEEKS AGO, NOW IT WON'T START AT ALL.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Interior lighting, Sep 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS SHORTED OUT REPEATEDLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY CONFIRMATION OF THE REPAIR AND THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH DRAINED THE POWER AND BATTERY SOURCE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Jun 9, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO PROPERLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING CONNECTORS TO THE BULB HOLDERS BURNED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 21, 2015
FRONT LIGHTS SOCKET OVER HEAT AND MELTING. MANUFACTURE AND DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO REPLACE, HOWEVER CAR STILL IN FULL EXTENDED WARRANTY SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN CAUSE FIRE
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 10, 2015
INTERMITTENTLY MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL GO ON, GAS GAUGE SLOWLY GOES TO EMPTY, REAR BREAK AND BLINKERS NO LONGER WORK, INTERIOR LIGHTING, AND SUN ROOF DO NOT WORK. I CAN NOT LOCK MY CAR SOMETIMES AFTER FOR ABOUT 5 MINS. IF IT HAPPENS RIGHT WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON, I CAN TRY TO TURN IT OFF AND RESTART AND IT MAY OR MAY NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS RIGHT WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON OR SOMETIMES IT NEVER HAPPENS. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED CAUSING THE BATTERY TO FAIL. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE THAT NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,700.
Exterior lighting, Mar 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CHECK SIGNAL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000. THE VIN WAS UNVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 12, 2015
I CAME TO A STOP BECAUSE MY CAR WAS GIVING ME ERROR CODES FOR CERTAIN PARTS OF THE RIGHT TAIL LIGHTS NOT WORKING(TURN& REVERSE) AND THEN THE FUNCTIONING LIGHTS WERE DIMMED. I TOOK A LOOK AT THE ASSEMBLY WHERE THE LIGHTS WERE PLACED AND NOTICED WHERE THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE PLUGGED IN TO THE BULB ASSEMBLY THAT IT BURNED THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED THE RIGHT SIDE BUT NEGLECTED TO CHECK THE LEFT BECAUSE AT THE TIME IT WAS NOT MALFUNCTIONING (AT THAT TIME I WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY). NOW, ON MARCH 8, 2015 (MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY) I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL MBUSA BECAUSE THE LEFT SIDE IS NOW BEGINNING TO ACT ERRATICALLY, AND ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO BURNING (YET) I WOULD LIKE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I CHECKED THE BULBS WHICH WERE GIVING ME ERRORS AND NONE OF THE BULBS WERE BURNED OUT. I BEGUN TO DO RESEARCH AND I FOUND THERE TO BE A RECALL FROM THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V-177, BUT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL YET I HAD REPORTED THE VERY SAME ISSUE MUCH EARLIER THAN 2014. AS I CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND MBUSA THEY BOTH SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REFUSING TO ACCEPT THAT THEY MADE AN ERROR IN THEIR WIRING AND NEGLECTING TO FIX BOTH SIDES THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN FROM THE OFF TO ON POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CHIP IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE KEYS NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 10/22/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACED AND OFFERED ASSISTANCE WITH THE COST OF REPAIR ONLY IF THE REPAIR HAD NOT BEEN PAID PREVIOUSLY FOR. UPDATED 4/1/15 *JS
Exterior lighting, Jul 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE OF WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO SCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT AND REMEDY THE PROBLEM SPECIFIED ON THE RECALL. UPDATED 08/19/14*LJ
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 6, 2014
PRIOR TO PULLING INTO MY GARAGE, I SMELLED BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRING. ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH PANEL FOR THE LEFT REAR LIGHTS CAME ON. I OPENED THE TRUNK TO SEE IF A LIGHT BULB BURNED OUT, AND SMELLED THE BURNING WIRES. OPENING THE PANEL COVERING THE LEFT REAR LIGHTS, I SAW A BURN THROUGH SCORCHED CIRCUIT BOARD. ON CLOSER EXAMINATION, I NOTICED THE GROUND WIRE WAS THIN AND THE CAUSE OF THE SEVERALLY OVERHEATED AND PARTIALLY MELTED AREA ON THE LEFT REAR LAMP ASSEMBLY. SINCE THEN, THE MERCEDES DEALER REPLACED THE CIRCUIT AT MY EXPENSE. ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. IT WAS ALSO A THIN GROUND WIRE THAT HAD OVERHEATED AND PARTIALLY MELTED THE CIRCUIT BOARD. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 4, 2014
I RECEIVED A WARNING ON MY DASHBOARD THAT MY RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT, RIGHT TURN SIGNAL AND BACK LIGHT NEEDED TO BE CHECKED AND MALFUNCTIONING. THE MESSAGE CAME AND WENT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. WHEN I OPENED THE COMPARTMENT WHERE THE TAIL BULB CARRIERS AND ASSEMBLY WERE, I SAW THAT SOME OF THE LIGHTS WERE VERY DIM. THE CARRIER ITSELF WAS PIPING HOT. SO MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO REPLACE THE BULBS. I DID. SAME PROBLEMS, NOTHING WAS FIXED. THE NEXT DAY, EVERYTHING CLEARED UP...SO I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE FINE. A WEEK LATER, IT CAME BACK. WHEN I OPENED UP THE COMPARTMENT AGAIN, IT WAS SUPER HOT, AND I NOTICED THAT THE WIRING WAS BROWNING AND IT BURNT MY FINGER. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WILL COST HUNDREDS TO REPLACE AND NOT COVERED. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 27, 2014
I RECEIVED A MESSAGE TO CHECK THE REAR RIGHT (PASSENGER) LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR USED ON MAY 20, 2014, AND BEGAN GETTING THE DASHBOARD WARNING A FEW DAYS LATER, BUT IT WAS INTERMITTENT. ON MAY 26, 2014, I INSPECTED OF THE BULB CARRIER AND PIN CONNECTOR AND NOTICED THAT THE CONNECTION INVOLVING THE BROWN WIRE ON THE PIN CONNECTOR WAS BURNED AND THE CORRESPONDING CONNECTION ON THE BULB CARRIER WAS ALSO BURNED/DISINTEGRATED AND THE AREA AROUND THE BROWN WIRE WAS VERY HOT. IT IS DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHEN THE FAILURE ACTUALLY HAPPENED. *TR