LED Tail Light Problem
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 766
Likes: 8
From: Las Vegas, NV
2012 CLS 550 Launch Edition, 2004 CLK 500, 2004 Honda Civic
LED Tail Light Problem
Alright guys so I went ahead and took the plunge to buy and install the LED tail lights. Of course, did my homework before and I
-bought the 06-09 socket lamps
-bent metal piece back
-paint metal piece bent just in case
-and even replaced the bulbs for safe measure
-lastly I did an ECU reset.
Well, the lights LED lights are flicking on and off and I have 4 different malfunctions with are right tail, right stop, left tail and left stop all malfunctioning. Had a substitute light on too but I was able to fix that malfunction.
Not sure why I still have these malfunctions and that the stop and tail lights won't work. Reverse bulbs and blinkers work though.
Am I missing something? Any help would be appreciated. Please note these are the new ones from fishcakes so I shouldn't have to install resistors.
Thanks as always,
Angelo
-bought the 06-09 socket lamps
-bent metal piece back
-paint metal piece bent just in case
-and even replaced the bulbs for safe measure
-lastly I did an ECU reset.
Well, the lights LED lights are flicking on and off and I have 4 different malfunctions with are right tail, right stop, left tail and left stop all malfunctioning. Had a substitute light on too but I was able to fix that malfunction.
Not sure why I still have these malfunctions and that the stop and tail lights won't work. Reverse bulbs and blinkers work though.
Am I missing something? Any help would be appreciated. Please note these are the new ones from fishcakes so I shouldn't have to install resistors.
Thanks as always,
Angelo
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 766
Likes: 8
From: Las Vegas, NV
2012 CLS 550 Launch Edition, 2004 CLK 500, 2004 Honda Civic
On eBay from fishcakes the seller. I had to do that because I have an 04 and had the horseshoe style tail light. It literally just swapped straight out for you with no malfunction?
Angelo
Angelo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
Supercharged CLK500,ML500,S580
Alright guys so I went ahead and took the plunge to buy and install the LED tail lights. Of course, did my homework before and I
-bought the 06-09 socket lamps
-bent metal piece back
-paint metal piece bent just in case
-and even replaced the bulbs for safe measure
-lastly I did an ECU reset.
Well, the lights LED lights are flicking on and off and I have 4 different malfunctions with are right tail, right stop, left tail and left stop all malfunctioning. Had a substitute light on too but I was able to fix that malfunction.
Not sure why I still have these malfunctions and that the stop and tail lights won't work. Reverse bulbs and blinkers work though.
Am I missing something? Any help would be appreciated. Please note these are the new ones from fishcakes so I shouldn't have to install resistors.
Thanks as always,
Angelo
-bought the 06-09 socket lamps
-bent metal piece back
-paint metal piece bent just in case
-and even replaced the bulbs for safe measure
-lastly I did an ECU reset.
Well, the lights LED lights are flicking on and off and I have 4 different malfunctions with are right tail, right stop, left tail and left stop all malfunctioning. Had a substitute light on too but I was able to fix that malfunction.
Not sure why I still have these malfunctions and that the stop and tail lights won't work. Reverse bulbs and blinkers work though.
Am I missing something? Any help would be appreciated. Please note these are the new ones from fishcakes so I shouldn't have to install resistors.
Thanks as always,
Angelo
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Houston, TX
W209 CLK Renntech Widebody, C140 CL600 V12, AP2 S2000, NSX Twin Turbo, R8 V10
What's the fix for this "substitute tail lamp" business? I replaced a bulb on my 07 CLK550 and my lower tail lamps only work briefly when I unlock the car and then the car switches to the upper lamps.
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MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
The rear SAM uses resistance to determine when a bulb is out. When you replace one bulb, the difference in its resistance and the other side's old bulb can fool the circuit. Just replace all the bulbs in both tail lights. No need to use expensive MBZ brand - just buy what fits.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 515
Likes: 11
From: Houston, TX
W209 CLK Renntech Widebody, C140 CL600 V12, AP2 S2000, NSX Twin Turbo, R8 V10
The rear SAM uses resistance to determine when a bulb is out. When you replace one bulb, the difference in its resistance and the other side's old bulb can fool the circuit. Just replace all the bulbs in both tail lights. No need to use expensive MBZ brand - just buy what fits.
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
2014 E350 Coupe 4Matic
I have a question. I have 2004 CLK500 and i want to upgrade my tail lights to OEM 2009 style from parts dot com. Do i also need resistors or its going to be plug and play with only bent piece of metal?
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 125
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From: Sofia. BG
2003 CLK240
@Rudeney, would this be possible for example with LED taillight bulbs? To replace all of them on both sides? I know this might be a stupid question but I think the stupidest question is the one that is not asked :P
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
You mean just swapping the bulbs instead of the entire lens assembly? You can try that, but I have not found any LED bulbs that are bright enough to really work. The arrays built-into the entire replacement assembly are much better.
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Sofia. BG
2003 CLK240
Yeah, I was thinking about only the bulbs. Currently waiting on a second order of LED's so I can change all the interior lights and other small lights around the car. When times comes most probably I will go with the DEPO front and tail lights cause it seems to me that owners are satisfied with the products.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
2003 CLK500
LED Tail Issues here
Just received a set of LED tails from Fishcake321 on ebay. Hooked them up and brake lights, top portion of tail light, reverse lights, and turn signals work. But I keep getting "tail light right" error message on display as well as "tail light right, substitute lamp on". Also the lower part of the tail lights come on and then go out. Not sure what's happening. This set came with 2 resistors wired on to each light, along with turn signal and reverse lights already installed.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
2003 CLK500
Thanks Rudeney, I suspected that as well.. funny enough the left tail light works perfectly when the right one isn't plugged in. I do believe it's the load as you said. My right side marker up front is currently out (bad socket). That may be the issue there affecting load as well. I read on here that someone had issues with the LED tails due to a fog light being out. Gonna fix the side marker tomorrow and see what happens then.
Thanks again
Thanks again
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
2003 CLK500
Noted. Was planning on fixing the side marker anyway so I'll just go ahead and do it. Considering what you just said it may not change anything. I've already been in contact with the seller so worst case scenario I'll have to send em back. We'll see.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
2003 CLK500
Well Rudeney, just as you said it changed nothing when I fixed the sidemarker light up front. The pic attached is how it currently looks while getting the error msgs "tail lamp, right" and "tail lamp right, substitute lamp on" May very well be an issue with the tail light resistor after all.
Thanks
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 312
CLK55 W209, CL63 W216
What kind of resistors do you have for the tails? I remember they came in a few different versions. Some were missing the resistors. I have 2 per side with a fairly intricate wiring harness.
