Tail light connector melted
02-05-2014, 09:35 PM
#176
Newbie
Please go to the NHTSA website and enter your complaint with your VIN. They have an open investigation that was started on December 20, 2013.
The more complaints recorded will continue to put pressure on MB
The more complaints recorded will continue to put pressure on MB
02-08-2014, 09:36 PM
#177
I have been experiencing the same issue with My C300. The tail light is out and I am getting several error msgs. regarding my lights on my dashboard. I took it into Walters Mercedes Benz in Riverside this morning. I was told that the issue is caused by a melted electrical component.
I called Mercedes Benz and they told me they are not aware of this issue and due to the fact that I am out of warranty I will have to pay for the $500 repair.
Needless to say, I am not happy with paying to replace a defected part.
The Mercedes Benz customer service rep told me she will forward the issue to an acct mgr who will call me back within 24 hours.
I will post their response as soon as they get back to me.
I called Mercedes Benz and they told me they are not aware of this issue and due to the fact that I am out of warranty I will have to pay for the $500 repair.
Needless to say, I am not happy with paying to replace a defected part.
The Mercedes Benz customer service rep told me she will forward the issue to an acct mgr who will call me back within 24 hours.
I will post their response as soon as they get back to me.
03-21-2014, 01:04 PM
#178
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2009 C300 Sport 4matic, 2001 Audi S4, 2013 Subaru BRZ
Same issue on my 2009 C300 67K miles, left side burned up plug. Took it to the dealer today and they replaced both sides for just over $100. They acknowledged there was a common issue, and it was under investigation. The dealer covered $250 of the total repair costs, and I was responsible for the rest at $111(about what the parts would have cost). Took about 45 minutes and I was out the door. Overall happy with the service and solution provided. They did mention they would let me know if a TSB comes out, and at that point I can send my receipt in for a reimbursement from MB. 
03-21-2014, 04:00 PM
#179
MBWorld Fanatic!
Wife told me last night that one of my rear lights are dimmer than the other while she was tailing me. After pulling the wire on the right side I found the melted connector. Checked the service history of the car and it was replaced already at around 40k and the car is now at 75k. So I am guessing the wires has not been updated just replaced with the same crap wire as stock. The car is still under warranty (extended) and I want to know what does the updated wires looks like so that after the work is done I can check if they used the right updated wires. Does anyone can confirm if the updated wires are holding up or is it better to add another ground after the fix?
03-21-2014, 08:25 PM
#180
That's what I believe also - when the dealer fixes this, they just replace the existing parts which means it will re-occur eventually. They don't put a bigger ground wire in. I did a DIY repair and use a larger ground wire - will it hold up long term, who knows, but I can feel the entire assembly is cooler with the better ground.
04-03-2014, 04:09 PM
#181
MBWorld Fanatic!
Got mine being worked on right now. They are replacing the back housing and the wire harness. Good thing I still have extended warranty on the car. I was told that the pins are bigger gauge than the original one but after they put this in I will try to add another wire just to make sure it won't melt again.
06-06-2014, 11:03 AM
#182
Senior Member
Guys thank you everyone for reporting the issues to the NHTSA. I am sure many of you have already seen but there is now an official recall affecting over 250k C-Class vehicles.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...ada-fix-lights
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...ada-fix-lights
06-06-2014, 11:11 AM
#183
Member
Guys thank you everyone for reporting the issues to the NHTSA. I am sure many of you have already seen but there is now an official recall affecting over 250k C-Class vehicles.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...ada-fix-lights
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...ada-fix-lights
06-06-2014, 11:41 AM
#184
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10' C300 Sport and 07 Ducati S2R
OMG... IT is about time! I already had one side replaced... I'm getting symptoms on the other side now... I can't wait to have this situation addressed.
Thank you for providing an update... -Jason
Thank you for providing an update... -Jason
06-07-2014, 11:25 AM
#186
Super Member
Thread Starter
Sold my C a while ago but this is great news! Glad they are owning up to the problem.
06-09-2014, 06:18 PM
#188
Newbie
The power of the consumer...
And all the GM recalls! Thanks to those who reported it. Strength in numbers. Got my letter today. Attached is the letter advising of the recall. Actual service letter to come later.
06-09-2014, 07:06 PM
#189
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MB w204 C300 Sport, Audi B7 A4 2.0TQ, Porsche Cayman 981
Just got my recall letter as well. About friggin time they came clean with the issue. I had my right rear all replaced under warranty back in 2011 and just last week I started getting the same symptoms on the left rear.
Dredging up the thread from 2010 about the issue several of us had back then!
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post4520200
Dredging up the thread from 2010 about the issue several of us had back then!
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post4520200
06-18-2014, 09:55 PM
#191
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2009 C300 Sport
Dealer's response to recall question
I contacted my dealer to ask if I should bring my car in. This was the response:
"The preliminary notice we received states to repair any vehicles that currently exhibit a tail lamp malfunction. The recall campaign will launch August/September. At that time we will receive instructions as to what procedure to use.
Thank you for your inquiry,
Denny Caylor
Service Manager
Critz MB."
"The preliminary notice we received states to repair any vehicles that currently exhibit a tail lamp malfunction. The recall campaign will launch August/September. At that time we will receive instructions as to what procedure to use.
Thank you for your inquiry,
Denny Caylor
Service Manager
Critz MB."
06-28-2014, 01:51 AM
#192
Super Member
I had a similar experience as most in this thread. I started to notice the dimming a couple years ago and it progressively got worse. Today I realized it was too dim to wait for MB. $13 bucks & 45 minutes later everything is sorted out. I followed the DIY by stosoorok in post #100. Only difference being I used 14 gauge wire and I screwed the lead into the holder plate instead of soldering it.
The Benz is now my wife's car so she's happy with the fix too.
This is the before image, park lights only.
Tah-dah.
The Benz is now my wife's car so she's happy with the fix too.
This is the before image, park lights only.
Tah-dah.
11-03-2017, 02:55 AM
#195
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W204 Avantgarde 2.2CDI 170PS
Quick question - is it possible to solder a new ground wire to the bulb plate, instead of drilling a hole in it?
Can I do it without disconnecting the bulb plate? Because unfortunatelly mine is melted, and now I can't disconnect the connector
Can I do it without disconnecting the bulb plate? Because unfortunatelly mine is melted, and now I can't disconnect the connector
11-03-2017, 12:27 PM
#196
Tail light connector melted
I believe it will be very difficult to either drill or solder the bulb carrier without first removing it. Why not have MB repair it under the recall?
11-06-2017, 01:36 AM
#198
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W204 Avantgarde 2.2CDI 170PS
@4maticaddict - thank you!
11-06-2017, 08:44 AM
#199
Taillight connector melted
Sorry that Poland doesn't require MB to correct a safety proble like this. Also sorry that MB doesn't take responsibility to correct a safety problem. If the melted connector prevents removal of the bulb plate, it will be difficult to replace a burned out bulb when that eventually happens.
01-24-2018, 06:41 PM
#200
Very informative and precise....!
Unfortunately these tail light assemblies are not the result of typical German engineering, but are a result of some very poorly thought out electrics.
As all the current from the tail light assembly from each light bulb passes through the brown earth wire, when you have a small resistance in the pin connections ie. one or two ohms and with all lights operational, that is stop, indicator,reverse, tail and side lights the peak current can be near 8-12 amps.
Ohms law gives us heating power of about 20 watts. This is the same as a small soldering iron. Not something you want hidden away in the trunk. if you examine the connector you can see that it is not designed to carry this amount of current or disperse this type of heat.
Mercedes really screwed the pooch when they let this design pass the scrutiny of the QC team. The earth connector should be at least 3 times larger than it is at the moment, or a fixed wire from the main Earth connector on the power module to the bulb holder earth will cure the problem
Posted this on another thread
As all the current from the tail light assembly from each light bulb passes through the brown earth wire, when you have a small resistance in the pin connections ie. one or two ohms and with all lights operational, that is stop, indicator,reverse, tail and side lights the peak current can be near 8-12 amps.
Ohms law gives us heating power of about 20 watts. This is the same as a small soldering iron. Not something you want hidden away in the trunk. if you examine the connector you can see that it is not designed to carry this amount of current or disperse this type of heat.
Mercedes really screwed the pooch when they let this design pass the scrutiny of the QC team. The earth connector should be at least 3 times larger than it is at the moment, or a fixed wire from the main Earth connector on the power module to the bulb holder earth will cure the problem
Posted this on another thread
