Rapsteady1

Hello MBWorld,

I have been having issues with my right rear tail light. I noticed it is significantly dimmer compared to the left side.

I went ahead and changed the bulbs on the right side with the Slyvannia 13.5V bulbs and it has not changed. I thought it would be a bulb issue so I tested it out on the left rear side and it worked, actually became much brighter.
I also began to notice that the right rear light is flickering... The top side of the lamp above the reverse light.

I was wondering what is wrong with the right rear light of my car? Would you guys suggest on doing anything in particular?

I would really appreciate any help given.... My last resort is to go the stealership...

Thank you guys.

Here are attached photos:






EDIT: I know it doesn't look like much of a difference in the pictures, however, in person it is VERY NOTICEABLE.

xXHotelCrazyXx

Have you tried unplugging the assembly then reconnecting it?

Matt_Eurojerks

I have the same problem. I hate chasing electric gremlins!!!!
I will try to unplug and re plug again.

Knightmare69

I'm finding that the build quality or at least the electrics of the W204's are pretty crappy. Sorry to hear about your problem, hope you find the cause, sounds like a short or a bad ground.

Rapsteady1

Yes, I unplugged it and plugged it back in.. and nothing.

Would anyone happen to know what possibly can cause this and if there is a solution?

xXHotelCrazyXx

Sounds like the pcb on the tail light is bad.

Knightmare69

Try swapping the tail light sides, I think the connectors should still fit either side.

mir_m

If the connectors are not burnt out then your rear Sam is gone expensive job very common prob hope u have warranty

Rapsteady1

Sorry, Im not a car person, can you please explain or elaborate with what a PCB is?

Rapsteady1

^as noted above, im not a car person. What exactly is a SAM?

xXHotelCrazyXx

Printed Circuit Board

xXHotelCrazyXx

Signal acquisition module

theramman

I bet if you look real close at the connections, you will see signs of heat. Same thing happened to me. Mine was under warranty still. Had them replace the wire harness (showed signs of melting) and the PCB inside the light assembly. This seems to be very common on these cars.

Rapsteady1

I'm at about 68k on my car... so I'm over warranty.

at this point am I outta luck and have to go to the stealership?

Would it be a bad thing to just continue driving the car? Or would something significantly bad happen tothe car?

xXHotelCrazyXx

I wouldnt risk it as it is a potential fire hazard

xXHotelCrazyXx

Its cheaper to fix it now, than wait to see if it gets "worse"

1sik_c300

nothing is wrong actually, it is called your rear foglight,only one side gets brighter for fog,its a german thing,there is a button by the steering wheel,press it and voila!!

Rapsteady1

Sorry if I misunderstood your question, but

I don't have my fog lights on though..

and if you're referring to the area of the car where you turn the headlights on/fogs/eyelids, etc then my settings are not on the fog lights. It remains on automatic.

1sik_c300

No not your front fogs it's called rear fog..there is a button by your light switch

Rapsteady1

I;m sorry but I am really confused with what you are trying to point out. Can you clarify what exactly I am looking for?

Petje

The only thing you have to look for are burned wires , or corrosion on them. It an issue with the wiring harness.

Its not your rear fog, because you say your light was flickering.

Do a search and you will find more info.

erichighley

I noticed today that my passenger side tail light was significantly dimmer/flickering with and without the engine running. A quick Google search turned up this thread. Am I looking at the same thing? I saw someone previously mentioned checking for corrosion and/or signs of heat, I'm pretty sure the one picture here shows corrosion. Any idea of an out of warranty cost to fix this? The risk of fire hazard has me concerned...







EDIT: Didn't like the way the pictures were displayed

mhad2480

^^^Kind of hard to tell, but judging from the picture that doesn't look like corrosion to me. See how the casing on the wire is starting to turn black? That looks to be due to heat IMO. Probably a short some where. Also, notice how that connector pin looks different from all the other ones to the right of it on the plug? Is that solder coming out from there?

Spec_Davis

I went to the dealership and they replaced it under warranty

kravena

I have this exact same problem and my car wiring looks burnt in exactly the same way. Currently trying to work it out with the Dealer.

I'm surprised there isn't at least a Safety Advisory from Mercedes on this.