Tail Lights Headache !!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: The Sunshine State
01 W210 E Klasse | 02 W 463 G-Wagen | 06 Land Rover LR3 HSE
Tail Lights Headache !!
My passenger side back running lights don’t work, the blinker and the brake lights are still working, I tried swapping the bulbs from the driver side , but no lights. I just relocated to FL and am afraid I will get pulled over soon, if I don’t have this fixed quickly. Looking for some tips and ideas to troubleshoot and fix this issue.
1. Do I need to reset the fuse if I accidentally did something wrong ? I know the fuse is to the left of the steering wheel, but need some instructions on how to reset it.
2. If this is not the fuse what else could be causing this issue. Do I simply need to get a new housing to make this problem go away ?
3. Last night the ABS and ESP light came on, we turned the car off and it did not return this morning. I am not sure if the worn out taillight is causing this or the brake light switch needs to be replaced and will also fix the taillight. I did change the brake light switch about 8 months back on my W210 and am not sure how soon these go out.
Kindly share you tips, as I am plan on working on this item after work tonight and can pick up the parts from the MB dealer.
Cheers
1. Do I need to reset the fuse if I accidentally did something wrong ? I know the fuse is to the left of the steering wheel, but need some instructions on how to reset it.
2. If this is not the fuse what else could be causing this issue. Do I simply need to get a new housing to make this problem go away ?
3. Last night the ABS and ESP light came on, we turned the car off and it did not return this morning. I am not sure if the worn out taillight is causing this or the brake light switch needs to be replaced and will also fix the taillight. I did change the brake light switch about 8 months back on my W210 and am not sure how soon these go out.
Kindly share you tips, as I am plan on working on this item after work tonight and can pick up the parts from the MB dealer.
Cheers
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 731
Likes: 1
W210 W140
Sometimes the connection between the bulb holder and the lamp assembly gets corroded. At least this happens with mine. I suggest using very light sand paper to take the corrosion off the contacts. Then make sure you use some "light bulb conductor lube" on the contacts. The lube can be found at most auto parts stores.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
2000 E430 Sport
Only on the passenger side the tail light running light goes dim and I use a razor blade or sand paper on these connections. There are three prongs, only two circled. I only have to clean one out of the three. I just switched to LED
Last edited by mike430sport; Oct 11, 2010 at 04:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: The Sunshine State
01 W210 E Klasse | 02 W 463 G-Wagen | 06 Land Rover LR3 HSE
Gents - Tried your recommended approach but it didn't work for me. To do a sanity check I used the cleaned socket and bulbs from the passenger side on the drivers side and it fired right up.
Do I need a new tail light assembly ? or is this related to any fuse. I tried the indicator bulb it works just fine. Any help or pointers would be much appreciated. Also, please along links for vendors if I do indeed need a new tail light housing/ assembly to address this problem.
Do I need a new tail light assembly ? or is this related to any fuse. I tried the indicator bulb it works just fine. Any help or pointers would be much appreciated. Also, please along links for vendors if I do indeed need a new tail light housing/ assembly to address this problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 38
From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
sometimes a hole can be burned on the taillight board itself that causes the holder to not get any contact at all. Most people just replace the light at that point, but you can just turn the bulb holder just very slightly so it makes contact.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
see if you can systematically work backwards....upstream to determine where
the loss of voltage begins. so, with lights on (and/or brake pedal depressed)
take a voltage reading off the bulb holder wings.
then, try bulb holder out and meter off the metal backing plate which serves
as a circuit board.
then, meter off the plug/connector into the tail light assembly....
i dont read much on the 210 forums where the cause is further upstream from
here, ie, into the wiring harness.
the loss of voltage begins. so, with lights on (and/or brake pedal depressed)
take a voltage reading off the bulb holder wings.
then, try bulb holder out and meter off the metal backing plate which serves
as a circuit board.
then, meter off the plug/connector into the tail light assembly....
i dont read much on the 210 forums where the cause is further upstream from
here, ie, into the wiring harness.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Beach, FL
2014 CLS550, P1
I usually have this exact problem when "winter" comes to central Florida. I ended up having to bend the contacts on the bulb socket forward to make a better connection. That and some dielectric grease did the trick for me.
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Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
2002 C32 AMG
I found the problem to lie with the 4 pin connector that plugs into the bottom of the light bulb "rack." It is face up and collects moisture. I cleaned the rust out of mine out with some 3-in-1 oil and a small metal brush and it has worked well since.
