cpapalo

hi,

Anyone else this problem? Both left and right side tail lights bulb plate and harness started melting (brownwire).
Anyone know the reason ?
I was driving with trailers about 150km when the car starts messagin break and side marker lights..

NewtwoMB

Probably somethin' to do with the trailer electrical hookup....? Sounds like an overload has burnt the wiring. Good luck.

lepez

it happens on some of the w204. both the sedans and the estates.

its not that big of a cost, you'll need a new plate, new connector and 7 pins to mount in the connector.

It's not a recall but it's a known problem... at least over here in belgium. we have had several W204 with this issue

cpapalo

Great only month ago, steering lock issue... Now this! Anyone know if mercedes could compensate this?

RLE

Brown is the ground wire.

cpapalo

Problem solved!

Friend is a specialist with cars. Told that those connectors ( in harness) are total ****! When i was driving with trailers it takes more power to the ground wire and start melting. ( bad connection). We put a new wire about 20cm and solder it straight to the pulb plate. Now its working!
Cost 0€

chriso

Does your friend have the pin to cable colour mapping ??

Big Daddy

The power for the trailer tail lights come from the power module located on the right hand side of the trunk. It does not go through the connector for the tail lights. so trailers do not effect these connectors
Unfortunately these tail light assemblies are not the result of typical German thinking, but are a result of some very poorly thought out electrics.
As all the current from the tail light assembly 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

mykim72

Seriously...I am having the exact same issues...

anyone happen to have a part number to the wiring harness and plate?

DanRaz

Hi everyone! I'm new on here.

I just wanted to let you all know that it is not the hardest thing in the world to fix if out of warranty and not too expensive with Genuine Parts from the MB dealer. It takes approximately 1 hour to do if you have a little technical background.

The Parts department I went to in London was fully aware of the problem and knew the exact parts to give me.

You will probably need the bulb holder (if damaged) £12, the black multi connector piece (£2) and one new cable for the damaged brown one (£4).

It will help to use a paper clip to take out the cables that are ok. Have a look at the new connector piece and new cable and you should understand how the paper clip can be used to pry out the old cables from the old multi connector. You also need to break off the "lid" of the connecter. See the new one to figure out where it is located on the old one.

Although in this instance there was no death or injury I find the problem concerning as the whole light cluster failed on my car without warning. Over the last few weeks I had smelt some sort of mild burning in the car which I now presume was this.

In addition my light cluster was the driver side and one which the wiring loom passes the petrol tank intake and fuse box. Both of which causes some concern.

So I contacted VOSA in the UK. They deal with investigating these sort of issues and deeming whether necessary to enforce a recall. Email: vsb@vosa.gov.uk | Phone: 0300 123 9000. They were very helpful on the phone.

If anyone is also of the opinion that a recall is required contact them on the details above and give them the info.

Hope this helps.

JimHarris

I have a 2008 C class and as everyone has already guessed I have this problem too. The brown wire has fused to the plate and melted it self out of the connector. The bulb side of the plate gets as hot as a soldering iron. Kind of scary! I found a good deal on the plate but cant seem to find the connector anywhere. Does anybody have a good source for the connector and pins?

steven1888

The dealership? in the parts department

silkynitro

I've had the same problem in my 2009 W204 C220CDI here in Australia, had both sides replaced in October 2012. at no cost

Going back in the morning if parts arrive, and doing the both again, also at no cost, I told them I refuse to pay.

There is now an upgrade harness, that's being fitted tomorrow if all going to plan, not sure how long this upgrade has been available will try and find out.

sguyott

Would you be able to show in more detail how to take the pins out of the black pin connector? It's more difficult than I imagined.

thanks.

mbpharoh

the easiest way i did it was grab a very tiny screwdriver and push down on it with force and the silver pin pops out. (push on the side that connects to the car)