Parking Light Bulb
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 268
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From: near Birmingham, AL
2014 E350 Sedan; 2025 GLB 250
Parking Light Bulb
So, I get the Parking Light Bulb error message and buy a couple bulbs from Amazon. When they arrive, I change out the offending bulb, but it isn't working! it was then that I notice that the wires to the socket are bare. I talked to a co-worker about it and he said that because it is so close to the "Brights" which get very hot, that it probably caused the wire casing to melt.
He thought that to put a new socket in, one would need to remove the whole headlamp.
Has anyone else seen this issue?
What is the best remedy?
What might it cost if I took it to an Indy?
He thought that to put a new socket in, one would need to remove the whole headlamp.
Has anyone else seen this issue?
What is the best remedy?
What might it cost if I took it to an Indy?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 268
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From: near Birmingham, AL
2014 E350 Sedan; 2025 GLB 250
I don't use my brights much - 90% of my driving is during the day.
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There is no fuse for the exterior lights. They are controlled by the SAM, so if there is any sort of failure, such as a burned out bulb or a short, the SAM electronically shuts down the circuit.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 268
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From: near Birmingham, AL
2014 E350 Sedan; 2025 GLB 250
Talked to my Indy over the phone and described to him my issue. He says that the wire insulation has crumbled over time and I will need a whole new unit. He is sending me a quote. It just seems like this is a fixable thing - not a total replacement thing. Am I wrong here?
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Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Satellite Beach, Fl
CLK 550 AMG
Talked to my Indy over the phone and described to him my issue. He says that the wire insulation has crumbled over time and I will need a whole new unit. He is sending me a quote. It just seems like this is a fixable thing - not a total replacement thing. Am I wrong here?
Last edited by jlpskydive; Apr 27, 2018 at 04:38 PM.
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Wire is always fixable - just replace it. Of course that would be almost impossible with the headlights mounted in the car. If you remove them, it;s an easy job and you can upgrade the wire with a larger gauge and higher temp rating. Removing the headlights is not that difficult. You do have to remove, or at least drop the front bumper. It's held on with four bolts, plus a bracket on each side where it attaches to the fenders.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 268
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From: near Birmingham, AL
2014 E350 Sedan; 2025 GLB 250
So, I decided to replace the whole assembly with OEM Hella - both sides. New light assembly at Amazon was $225/ea and the install will cost $100. Small price to pay for piece of mind and brand new lights!
Thanks everyone.
Thanks everyone.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 24
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From: Satellite Beach, Fl
CLK 550 AMG
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Just be careful with Amazon - many of their branded parts are Chinese fakes. I've bought many Bosch and even "Genuine MBZ" parts on Amazon that were fakes. They spend more on the packaging to make it look real than they do on QA of the part itself.
$225 each is a good price for genuine Hella headlights, but about 3x the price of Chinese aftermarket.
$225 each is a good price for genuine Hella headlights, but about 3x the price of Chinese aftermarket.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 268
Likes: 37
From: near Birmingham, AL
2014 E350 Sedan; 2025 GLB 250
Just be careful with Amazon - many of their branded parts are Chinese fakes. I've bought many Bosch and even "Genuine MBZ" parts on Amazon that were fakes. They spend more on the packaging to make it look real than they do on QA of the part itself.
$225 each is a good price for genuine Hella headlights, but about 3x the price of Chinese aftermarket.
$225 each is a good price for genuine Hella headlights, but about 3x the price of Chinese aftermarket.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 268
Likes: 37
From: near Birmingham, AL
2014 E350 Sedan; 2025 GLB 250
I received the lights on Wednesday. They were well packaged in 2 huge boxes that had Hella all over the yellow box. Sadly when trying to upload the pic (JPEG) to this site I got an error saying that the format was not supported. The HELLA label located on the light assembly did have DOT markings on it - looks legit. I'll ask the installer today about it before he puts them in.
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If you are sure they are knock-offs, you might try contacting HELLA. Most trademark holders like to protect their intellectual property. If that doesn't get you anywhere, then contact Amazon. Personally, I don't mind buying Chinese parts when I know that's what I'm getting. I hate to pay genuine prices, or even discounted genuine prices for Chinese parts.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 268
Likes: 37
From: near Birmingham, AL
2014 E350 Sedan; 2025 GLB 250
If you are sure they are knock-offs, you might try contacting HELLA. Most trademark holders like to protect their intellectual property. If that doesn't get you anywhere, then contact Amazon. Personally, I don't mind buying Chinese parts when I know that's what I'm getting. I hate to pay genuine prices, or even discounted genuine prices for Chinese parts.
So, I decided to contact the seller, amazon, and Hella. When I talked to the seller, she did not seem surprised or shocked that I wanted to return them because I believed them to be fakes.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 268
Likes: 37
From: near Birmingham, AL
2014 E350 Sedan; 2025 GLB 250
I also contacted my bank to dispute the charges.... covering all my bases as they say!
Last edited by labguy; May 5, 2018 at 10:03 AM. Reason: typo
