LED Tail Light Problem
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 313
CLK55 W209, CL63 W216
You need a multimeter. Measure the resistance for all of them individually. If one of them stands out then clearly it's an issue. However, I think it has to be a wiring issue...something plugged in incorrectly. the chances that both sides would be messed up are slim.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
2003 CLK500
I agree, especially when I'm only getting errors on the display for one side. It's weird. I'm also gonna plug my old lights back in to see if i get any error messages as well, just to eliminate possibilities..
Thanks again
Thanks again
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
2003 CLK500
Okay now this is kinda weird lol. I check all the bulb connections on the LED tails then then start the car, only error msg i now see is "tail lamp right, substitute lamp on". Before I test the resistors I shut the car down for about 45 minutes, hook up my old lights and start the car up. On my old lights it's showing me the "tail lamp, right" error and "tail lamp right, substitute lamp on". Shut the car off and switch the bulbs for new ones, same exact error as the old ones. I'm thinking there may be a short in my wiring harness somewhere. The LED tail lights may actually be functional. Gonna test with a multimeter now to really get a clue.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 313
CLK55 W209, CL63 W216
Hmmm make sure the error is cleared. Sometimes it stays on for a while even though the issue has been fixed. Turn the car on/off a few times and see if it goes away with the old tails. Are there any bulbs actually out or are you just getting the message?
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
2003 CLK500
Bulbs were actually out on the right side of the old tail. The tail on the left side works perfectly. I switched the bulbs on the old tails from left to right, same issues on the same side. Looking at the wires in the car it appears the previous owner had tried to hook up some small resistors on a couple of the wires, one of them looks pretty burnt up. Something tells me that's my issue on the right side for sure. Gonna troubleshoot that in a couple hours when it cools down a bit. You could literally fry an egg outside on the concrete right now lol
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
2003 CLK500
Found the problem. Apparently the previous owner had installed resistors on to the wires themselves, and one of them was badly burned causing a short to the tail light. Cut the bad part out and jumped the wire, everything is perfect now!!
Thanks to everyone on here. I'll post pics later when it gets dark over here.
Thanks to everyone on here. I'll post pics later when it gets dark over here.
