RavenMDX

Well my 2009 has the same issue. I just finished the quick fix method...spliced the brown wire, attached higher gauge wire and added it to the screw as a 2nd earth ground. Did this on both sides. Hopefully this is enough.

4maticaddict

Stosoorok:

Very elegant yet simple fix. Great pics too.

RavenMDX

If I put my hear close to the connector, you can hear a slight eletrical buzz. Not sure if this is normal or not. This is after the quick fix. I didn't check this before the fix.

Garry1104

I changed all my tail light bulbs to azn leds. I wonder will this prevent the melting by generating less heat. So far I haven't have a problem with mines yet.

RavenMDX

interesting solution. I would like to know this as well. I may do the same...

Can you list out all the AZN Leds you needed to replace all the bulbs? how much did it all cost and what year is your c300?

thanks

Garry1104

Tell you the truth, you don't really need to get his leds. You can probably get any error free canbus led to put in but he offers a whole tail light package so it's easier.

http://aznoptics.com/index.php?main_...matq2c15skh2s2

stosoorok

Thanks!

About the LED's. Error free LED's are with resistors - so they take same amount of current as regular bulbs, otherwise there will be error on instument panel. Only face lift OEM LED tail lights fix the melting problem with coding rear sam.

Knightmare69

LED bulbs will produce less heat which I think helps the issue. I swapped mine over to LED bulbs along with a thicker gauge ground wire, problem seems to have subsided though I can't tell from which method. I also just recently replaced the board so I'll keep an eye on things and see if the problem still forms.

builthatch

it's the draw that causes the problem. the silly little ground is not ample for all of the draws that are grounded by that little tiny wire and weak circuit path on the holder. just a bad design and is terribly typical of German light wires.

SJ2K5

This has happened to me as well. My dealer fixed it ysterday for $170, including the bulb plate.

RavenMDX

What did they do exactly, can you post pics? and did they do both sides? on mine the problem is on both sides.

Thanks

SJ2K5

That was one side. They replaced the harness plug, and bulb plate. The parts were About $70, and labor was $100 even.

Only pics I have are from before it was replaced.

Knightmare69

So its a replacement harness, not an upgraded ground wire. You'll most likely have to replace it again in due time since they didn't actually fix the problem.

SJ2K5

Ill have to look at the ground wire. I'm not 100%. If they didn't fix it, I'll have a local auto electric shop do it. The same dealer broke my passenger seat in Feb while they had my car, and they refuse to fix it. Once I get the seat fixed, ill be trading the vehicle in.

Cillys

Thats too bad about your stearlership experience. I've have nothing but good luck with the one in Arlington from where I purchased mine. So good that i intend to purchase more.

SJ2K5

I originally planned on a C63 next year or a new E350, but there are no reputable dealers nearby. This is my first Mercedes and I'm in love with the brand now, but ill never use my local dealer again. I may change my mind in due time about my next vehicle if Mercedes Knoxville has better feedback. They're only about 100 miles from where I live in Chattanooga. Right now I just have a bitter taste in my mouth. Mercedes corporate tried to help me on my seat, but the local dealer is stone walling. It's a shame too that my vehicle is just now hitting 35k and they won't help.

TexFinn

This is exactly what I've been thinking. However, I'm assuming they are actually just changing the connector, not the harness itself. I think that the parts would be a lot more expensive that 70 bucks at the dealer for that.

I ordered new bulb holder, connector and the little metal things that hold the wires in the connector based on the part number lists people have posted. Came to just over 40 bucks.

Haven't installed them yet, but I guess to make sure this doesn't happen again, you need to put in a larger gauge ground wire. As has been suggested and done already by many people. That is what I'm also going to do when I replace the connector and holder.

Knightmare69

I tried my hand at replacing the connector since there's no DIY and its a PITA. I did one side though not well and just said screw it for the other side. If you find a way to remove the pins from the connector please let me know.

stevenbjah

Lucky you! It was happen to me at the end of the year and to bad I don't have any warranty.so I decide to do it by my self. I end up craft melted socket using hot glue..

divinebug

Hi RavenMDX,
I got the spares for this issue for my C300 2008 model DIY project, they gave me the base plate the black connector and a forked thick brown 18awg with a round circular connector at base of fork and two female connectors at both ends, can you explain to me how you did it? may be post pictures of your job
BTW I tried to phone in the West Island MB dealer but they declined for any repair though mine is just out of warranty.

RavenMDX

Hi divinebug,

I also had the same issue trying to get Silver star to do it (just out of warranty) but of course they declined. bunch of money grabbing idiots.

At any rate, I did do the fix myself but its actually even simpler than your DIY kit. I simply tapped into the ground wire and soldered a 2nd 18awg wire ground and attached it to one of the main screws on the frame right beside the rear tailight assembly. I then disconnected the current wiring harness and cleaned the bad connectors and pins as best I could to ensure a good contact. This was 2 months ago.

But now, i'm starting to have problems with the wiring harness where the brown wire is located. Since it was partially melted, the damage was already done. Even though I added the 2nd ground, I may soon need to have the wires and the harness replaced to ensure proper contact. Then I will re-do the 2nd ground fix to ensure that the new harness doesn't melt again.

Since your also out of warranty, if you ever need to have some repairs or service done on your car, I can suggest http://www.exclusifmb.com/ which is 5mins away from Silver Star and they only repair out of warranty benz at a better price than MB dealers. The guys who work there used to be benz technicians who started their own business.

Cheers

divinebug

Thanks a lot man, after hearing your story i think i better do it right at the first time only, also thanks for the suggestion of exclusifmb as i did know about it form its website but never met anyone who actually went there.
Also i tried your solution after placing my new bulb base grey plate and connecting the gray wire connector to ground in the chassis metal and connecting other Pins as they were but my lower tail light remains always on even after i lock my car and all other lights are off not sure why its happening though. Any idea?

RavenMDX

Yes I've been to that dealer before (transmission oil replacement) and they did a good job, friendly service. Alot of other stuff I will do myself but sometimes its better to have more critical components done by experienced benz technicians.

As for your current problem, you mentioned the grey wire but you need to tap the brown wire only, don't touch the grey wires or the other wires. The ground is the brown wire. Then ensure that all the contacts are clean and when you put the wire harness back in ensure nothing is loose and press it all the way on both sides of the connector. Any bad contact will create problems.

drawde

Not sure if related to this but I'm getting all kinds of error messages for my rear tail light. Check rear brake light, tail light, etc. Going by above, if it is the same issue of a melted connected it may cost a decent amount as I'm out of warranty. Might take this as an opportunity to upgrade to the 2012 tail lights if they don't cover it.

Knightmare69

It's not that simple to convert to the 2012 lights, you'll need your SAM reprogrammed to accept and use them properly.