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I have a 2008 C300 4MATIC. Recently I am getting an error (see picture) saying "Check Right Tail & Brake Lamps". However, when I turn on the lights and/or step on the brake all lights seem OK. Can some of the experts here help with a few questions?
1. What does it indicate if I get an error but the lights are OK? Is it an early warning, or a false warning?
2. Which side is right? I assume it is my right if I am sitting in the driver's seat facing forward, or is it my right when I am facing the rear of the car (at the front with the hood open and looking at the engine bay?)
3. There seem to be 4 bulbs in the assembly, which I assume are (a) tail light (b) brake light (c) turn signal and (d) reverse lamp. So, would the error indicate I don't need to replace the turn signal and the reverse lamp, only the brake and tail lights?
4. Does the replacement bulb have to be red, or can it be white (in which case the lenses would give the red color)?
5. Can I use an LED replacement, or does it have to be halogen or incandescent? I have read that sometimes LEDs don't work or require a resistor?
6. What are the part numbers for the bulbs (e.g. 1156 or 3157)?
Sorry if these are stupid questions, but would really appreciate some guidance. Thanks!
Sounds like you may have the wiring issue which was a recall from Mercedes. I would contact Mercedes with your VIN and see if it falls under the affected units:
The most common problem is the ground connection at the tail lights. If you disconnect them, check the brown wire pin and connector. Usually you can even see the connector has melted. This should be covered at Mercedes dealers.
Most likely it’s a partially burned out bulb(s). They still work but their resistance changed. Pull the tail light circuit board and if the bulb is foggy Change the bulb. I just had this happen. Right side is passenger side.
Thanks everyone for the helpful reponses. I pulled the bulb holder out today (should have done that earlier), here is what I found:
1. There are 5 bulbs, not 4. One is a small one, is that the turn signal, or is it the parking/standing light? The other 4 all look the same size.
2. All bulbs are clear
3. Seems like all except the small one are Osram 7506L 12 V 21W. Look like incadescent, not halogen.
4. I found a burnt bulb in the left (driver side), all the bulbs on the right (passenger) look OK. I have ordered replacement Osram 7506, will post back if replacing the one burn one does it. But still strange why it says right side is the problem when the burnt bulb is on the left.
Got the new bulb (original Osram 2 pack P21W 7506 from Amazon) and installed yesterday. Went through the following steps:
1. Removed an existing bulb from the right (passenger) side in the top row and inserted in the place of the burnt one on the left (driver) side bottom row. The error now says: "check right fog lamp", the "right side brake/tail lamp" error is gone.
2. Put the bulb back in its original position, fog lamp error gone, back to "check right side brake/tail lamp" error.
3. Inserted new bulb in left side bottom row. Now all errors gone.
Conclusion:
1. Top row bulb is fog lamp, bottom row is brake/tail light.
2. Doesn't matter which side the bulb is burnt, MB keeps reporting as right side!
Also, I handled all bulbs through a cloth to avoid directly touching the glass. Don't know if this is needed since the bulbs look like incandescent, but took the precaution anyway.
05-25-2020, 02:43 PM
