LED Tail light- Potential for SAM Failure?

TangoRed · 04-10-2012, 08:00 PM

Hey all, I'm looking at loaded 2009 ML350s (or an ML550 if I can find one.) I've read on here about the passenger tail lights leaking and ruining the SAM unit. Does this still happen with the LED tail lights?

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

AudiA4Turbo22 · 04-10-2012, 08:55 PM

This is a very RARE problem and I have yet to see a member on here or any other forum post about this.

Don't worry about it, it would take a PUDDLE of water inside your tail lights to have any detrimental effects on the SAM.

TangoRed · 04-10-2012, 08:58 PM

Awesome. Thanks!

SirML350 · 04-12-2012, 11:19 AM

By LED tail lights do you mean aftermarket or OEM?

Sharkster · 04-12-2012, 08:44 PM

I had an OEM LED taillight installed without any sealing against moisture. Look at the stain on the floor... that's the amount of water that came off the removed taillight as I turned it around.

MB replaced the taillight. No problems since then.

However, I think it's a total shame that a taillight bare of any moisture sealing could slip MB's quality control. Makes you wonder what else bugs they didn't find.

AudiA4Turbo22 · 04-12-2012, 11:08 PM

That's what happens when a car manufacturer budgets EVERYTHING. Whether it is finished or not, quality or cheap, it ends up on the car once the budget is used up.

diemon · 04-23-2012, 10:57 PM

I had this problem when I installed LED tail lights passenger sided was leaking and SAM was wet and malfunctioning so I had to change SAM and aftermarket sealing to original one. No problems since.

04-10-2012, 08:55 PM	#2
AudiA4Turbo22 Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 179 Drives: '03 A4 2.0 Stroker, '08 ML550, '10 S550, '03 C240	This is a very RARE problem and I have yet to see a member on here or any other forum post about this. Don't worry about it, it would take a PUDDLE of water inside your tail lights to have any detrimental effects on the SAM. __________________ -Kirk Current: '08 ML550 - P2, Int App Pack, Heat Pack, Distronic, Rear Seat Ent, Keyless-Go, Voice Control, TH, CD, and iPod. '10 S550 - P2, AMG Pack, Rear Side Shades. '03 C240 - C2, CD, Tele Aid Prior: '08 GL450 - P2, Lthr Pack, Rear Seat Ent, iPod, Voice Control, TH, Keyless-Go, Run Brds. '06 ML500 - Prem Pack, Comf Pack, Light Pack, Ent Pack, Sunroof, Airmatic, Parktronic, Rear Airbags, TH, 3-Zone, Keyless-Go, Nav, Pwr Liftgate. '98 ML430 - M4, Sunroof and Bose. '86 300E

04-12-2012, 08:44 PM	#5
Sharkster Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 386 Drives: SL 55 AMG, ML 350... and my girl's SLK 200 ;)	I had an OEM LED taillight installed without any sealing against moisture. Look at the stain on the floor... that's the amount of water that came off the removed taillight as I turned it around. MB replaced the taillight. No problems since then. However, I think it's a total shame that a taillight bare of any moisture sealing could slip MB's quality control. Makes you wonder what else bugs they didn't find. Attached Thumbnails __________________

04-12-2012, 11:08 PM	#6
AudiA4Turbo22 Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 179 Drives: '03 A4 2.0 Stroker, '08 ML550, '10 S550, '03 C240	That's what happens when a car manufacturer budgets EVERYTHING. Whether it is finished or not, quality or cheap, it ends up on the car once the budget is used up. __________________ -Kirk Current: '08 ML550 - P2, Int App Pack, Heat Pack, Distronic, Rear Seat Ent, Keyless-Go, Voice Control, TH, CD, and iPod. '10 S550 - P2, AMG Pack, Rear Side Shades. '03 C240 - C2, CD, Tele Aid Prior: '08 GL450 - P2, Lthr Pack, Rear Seat Ent, iPod, Voice Control, TH, Keyless-Go, Run Brds. '06 ML500 - Prem Pack, Comf Pack, Light Pack, Ent Pack, Sunroof, Airmatic, Parktronic, Rear Airbags, TH, 3-Zone, Keyless-Go, Nav, Pwr Liftgate. '98 ML430 - M4, Sunroof and Bose. '86 300E

04-23-2012, 10:57 PM	#7
diemon Junior Member 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 34 Drives: 06 Mercedes ml 350	I had this problem when I installed LED tail lights passenger sided was leaking and SAM was wet and malfunctioning so I had to change SAM and aftermarket sealing to original one. No problems since. __________________ 06 MB ML350 (Silver/Black): 775 Iridium Silver 530 DVD NAV 873 Heated Front Seats 890 Power Liftgate 320 Entertainment Pkg. 322 Appearance Pkg. 323 Air Suspension Pkg. 324 Sunroof Pkg. ♫♪♫ HID KIT (Headlights 50W!, Fog Lights 35W) ♪♫♪ LED TAIL LIGHTS SMOKE ♫♪♫ Tinted windows 15% GONE: 06 VW Jetta GLI 2.0T (gone with a wind) 04 Pontiac GrandPrix GT2 3.7L (traded in) 97 Chevy Cavalier Z24 (sold) 95 Nissan Altima (totaled)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

04-10-2012, 08:58 PM	#3
TangoRed Newbie Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 10	Awesome. Thanks!

04-12-2012, 11:19 AM	#4
SirML350 Newbie Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 8 Drives: 2009 ML 350 4Matic	By LED tail lights do you mean aftermarket or OEM?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)