Side Marker Light
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
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2004 CLK320
Side Marker Light
In the winter months, I use the local automatic car wash once or twice per week.
Last week, there was a malfunction in my side marker light. I went to the dealership for regular maintenance (oi change and spark plugs) and asked the service adviser to look at the side marker light. He popped it open and it's full of water inside. He removed the water from the cover and used an air fun to blow away the water in the socket. Replaced the lamp and it worked for 2 days and it failed again today.
The service adviser said with automatic car wash, they shot high pressured water horizontally to the car which is not good for the light modules. Any truth is this?
Last week, there was a malfunction in my side marker light. I went to the dealership for regular maintenance (oi change and spark plugs) and asked the service adviser to look at the side marker light. He popped it open and it's full of water inside. He removed the water from the cover and used an air fun to blow away the water in the socket. Replaced the lamp and it worked for 2 days and it failed again today.
The service adviser said with automatic car wash, they shot high pressured water horizontally to the car which is not good for the light modules. Any truth is this?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: MA
E90 M3
Even if you're using an automatic car wash, there shouldn't be any water getting inside the side marker. The bulb twists onto the back and creates a tight seal. If there is water getting inside the side marker, then the seal is broken or there's a crack somewhere on the side marker.
Either way, should be replaced under warranty anyways. Water will eventually get into it when it rains...
Either way, should be replaced under warranty anyways. Water will eventually get into it when it rains...
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 219
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CLK 320
I had my left front replaced just yesterday morning - the SA at the dealer says they need to put the thing on a rack to get access to the lamp, so I brought it in and they did it. Sounds strange to me, but they washed the car and changed the bulb for a whopping $3.14
MBWorld Fanatic!
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C63s Cabriolet, BMW M4, Civic
Even if you're using an automatic car wash, there shouldn't be any water getting inside the side marker. The bulb twists onto the back and creates a tight seal. If there is water getting inside the side marker, then the seal is broken or there's a crack somewhere on the side marker.
Either way, should be replaced under warranty anyways. Water will eventually get into it when it rains...
Either way, should be replaced under warranty anyways. Water will eventually get into it when it rains...
The back side (silver color) is glued to the orange len. If water remain inside which mean, the crack is from the top. Just reseal it with clear silicon.
Last edited by Klinh; Mar 31, 2011 at 02:27 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
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C63s Cabriolet, BMW M4, Civic
No, there's 2 ways to remove it. Just pop it out from out side the bumper (this method can easily break the len) or turn your wheel all the way toward the inside and remove 2 fender liner screws then pop it out from inside the fender.
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From: Jerzy
04 CLK 320 > CLK32K
Don't ever let the dealer wash your car!
