[S500VIP]

Based on the pic alone, you have a direct short underneath that fuse box. To create that much heat to melt fuses and parts of relays is indicative of an exposed power wire to metal or internal failure of a component in close proximity. If you are mechanically inclined then it's time to start pulling that fuse box assembly apart and check underneath for wires being grounded to metal, exposed and melted together. The SAM unit (as Skylaw stated) might be hosed now or might be part of the equation. Did you see any fluids or moisture of any type in that area?

We will check for fluids or moisture and reply back tomorrow. We will start on it tomorrow

 

[S500VIP]

Any one else has any solutions on where to start?

 

[S500VIP]

You have to see the extent of the damage you have, and you have to find out what caused it. If you're lucky, you're looking at replacing the SAM ($800) as well as the fuse box, fuses, and relays on top of the SAM.

But if you don't determine the cause of the event in the first place, it could all blow again. Frankly, I have never seen anyone report damage quite like that in the W220 forum.

The melting of the 40A fuse is a sign of a serious problem, and unless you're pretty good with diagnostic tools and have a good understanding of the SAM and what it connects to, I suggest you have it diagnosed by an authorized dealer or a good Indy.

You don't give us the model year of your car; but using the fuse diagram for an '05, your photo is in fact the right side (passenger side) fuse panel. Your owner's manual will tell you that when referring to "right" and "left" the reference is made facing forward in the car.

If I am correct, the two damaged relays are for the Motronic and the electronic choke. My '05 diagram doesn't quite match up to your photo (that's why the model year is important), but if it were my car, the damaged fuses would control distronic, the transmission control unit, and trunk lock; and the 40A fuse controls many of the functions in your door control units - mirror positions, mirror and front seat heating, entry lights, some power windows. I leave it to you to check your diagram (see the W220 S-Class Encyclopedia sticky at the top of the W220 forum for more information on fuses and SAMs (but I guarantee you, it doesn't have a "silver bullet" solution for what you picture).

my car is at 2001 S500