mr.jimh

Afther searching thru all of mbworld.org for posts conserning the licenseplate lights on a w211, without finding the answer, i feeeeeel the need to post another one.

Like many others, my 04` e220cdi just wouldt light up my plates!
But my rear lights, break lights and bootlid does work. However, my 12v outlet/sigarettlighter in the front, does not!

Disassembeled the boot lid and the left side panel in the boot and checked the cabels from the plate-lights to the box. No faults. Wires are good all the way thru. The "ground" is also OK, however, there are no 12 V power thru the wires connecting to the lights. The bulps are replaced and every thing else seems to be in good shape.

Conserning the 12v outlet, there are ground to one wire, 12v ignition power to the otherone, but no power to the last one, which is a litte bit thicker then the other two.

So, theese problems may be connected... maybe.... hmm...

Does ANYONE have ANY clue what the fault could be????
Please do share...
(xcus my bd englsh)

SPNJHockey

Jim, I wouldn't know if the license plate lights and the rear cigarette lighter are on the same circuit. However, just considering the coincidence of the 2 of them not working...have you looked at all of your fuses? If I'm not mistaken, the rear cigarette lighter fuse is in the trunk's fuse block. Would any other forum members have better info on that?

And considering that this forum is world-wide...your English is good enough for us to understand.

mr.jimh

Hi! Thanks!

Have checked all the fuses, both with my eyes and with a voltmeter (piiip)!
They are fine, both the ones in the front and the ones in the boot...

The sigarettlighter/12v outlet near the bakcseat works fine! Strange...

tashakes

Both cig lighter fuses are on the engine compartment's fusebox. You can actually set the fuse to make them work with the ignition on or with it off, depending on how you set them,

mr.jimh

Huh, is there a fusebox in the engine compartment? The little fuse box chart didn`t tell me that...

Half past eleven ant pitch black - but I and my single key-LED have a misson...

BrB

SPNJHockey

Sorry, I mis-read your original post regarding which cig-lighter. Here's the info for the engine compartment fuse block:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post3683624

mr.jimh

Great! Been in that fuse box a coupple of years ago, but totally forgot it excisted! Thanks a million!!!
A fuse in this 3. fusebox was blown, and replacing it made the front 12v oultlet work!!! A bonus was the fact that one also could make it stay on even when ignition off! This helps so much! TNX!!!!
(Strangely the rear 12v outlet will only come on when ignition on - even when fuse is placed to the right, as the one for the front 12v outlet!!!??!)

However, this did NOT help the license plate light to illuminate my night!
It still does not work!

Please post if you have any new suggestions!

Again, thanks a million to both of you STAR-helpers above!

konigstiger

https://mbworld.org/forums/3694210-post1.html

SPNJHockey

L O L !!! You da King !

BagMan

My left license plate lamp went out last week and I can't get it to work again. Tried four bulbs. The right one works fine.

Anyone experience this?

mr.jimh

Non of the wires are severed. Checked all: fine!

Diesel Benz

I'm not sure if I got everything you have already tried but if you cannot measure power at the bulb base, what else can it be than a wiring issue? I guess the SAM could be broken but you should see other problems. Did you check the wiring all the way between the bulb and the SAM?

konigstiger

For clarification, here is a picture of the wiring harness responsible for open circuit that is the most common cause for these type malfunctions. As DB suggested uncommonly rear SAM may be malfunctioning confirmed by retrieving fault code(s) with SDS or telltale corrosion.

mr.jimh

Those are the wires in the picture, wich I checked. They are fine. One brown wire had meed cut&replaced before (must be over 3yr ago), and this one, as the others are in perfect working order - messured in both ends.

I have checked the wiers from the bulb to the black plastic fuse box on the lower left side. All good. Just no power in the wire going up to the licenseplate lamp`s!

Regarding the SAM (wich I assume is the black plastic fuse box thing), it would be strange if just that one function stopped working, as u say... so I dnt knw..... huh...

I do also have a srs lamp in the dash, seat belt tightener srs fault, but this of course doesn`t connect to the other faults ...!?!

Typicall my luck.... A problem that CAN NOT be fixed....

Reason for all of this is that the car should have been approved 2 months ago.

Just finished replacing ball joints, and the licenceplate lights + the srs light is the two faults that stops it from getting approved.
If I get stopped, theyre taking my plates....

I guess the next step is to get a fault reading and to reset fault codes.

Maby it will help the l.p.l.

Hopefully....

mr.jimh

Tnx for all replys!!!!!

Yachtmaster

I've got the same problem with the right side license plate lamp (E350 -06). How did you solve it?
/Tommy

kwhaleys

Just an observation at this point. I opened up the panel and it looks like the last time I had the problem and took it to the dealer, they put it together exactly as described (felt tape, zip tie, etc.). I can't see the entire wire, due to the extra wrap, but it seems to have gone out again. I think it's been about 25K since the last fix. So, if in fact that is the fix again, it wasn't permanent in my E63.

Also, thanks to you or whomever mentioned the use of the key. It never dawned on me. I use that key on the glove box every time I valet, but never think about it any other time.

Kelly

mbz2008

Anything related to the trunk, latch, license plate or trunk lights is probably due to a broken wire on the left side of the trunk arm. You will need to take off the back plastic where the trunk latch is on the bottom and then remove the left trunk panel. This takes a flat blade screwdriver in the rectangular plugs (about 4 or 5 at various places). Other point keepers require removing the center plug with a screwdriver and then removing the keeper. The lights for the trunk will unplug as will the 12Volt plug on the side panel. If you can't get the trunk open, use the valet key in the ignition key. If everything on the trunk lid doesn't work you probably have a broken wire. THIS WILL BE A BROWN Wire and larger in guage than the others. Experience points to an area near the bend of the trunk arm and close to a zip tie. If you find it broken find a car parts place and buy a butt connector and crimper. Put the two wires together and crimp and this should git you going. Other wires could be broken if you find the Brown wire intact. Double wrap the splice and other wires in this area with electrical tape (two times). Hope this helps.

kmthefrog

tashakes..... I would like more info on how to do this. And if it is available on my 2005 ckl320..... "You can actually set the fuse to make them work with the ignition on or with it off, depending on how you set them."

ot1

There are 3 cigarette ports, dont forget the one in the boot. I dont think you can set that one to be powered all the time.

ot1

True that, its like 53A and 53B for one port, rear passenger fuse is right next to it with two positions also 54A 54B. I am guessing at the fuse order. Those two fuses do not cover the trunk port.

ventexan

Hi guys. US Air Force Major Lawrence here -
I have searched all the forums and can't find a solution. I have no rear lights at all! No reverse, no running lights, only one plate light. The brake lights work fine, blinkers and emergency lights work fine. I uninstalled the taillights and tested them on another E320 we have here in the compound and all the bulbs are fine, they work perfectly on the other car.
I replaced a distributor under the driver's side footwell, (part # 003 545 40 42), as suggested in another forum but to no avail. No electricity reaches the rear lights.
I am not totally inept at mechanics but the problem is I am currently assigned to the US Embassy in Venezuela and there are no Mercedes dealers here anymore (Thanks to socialism).
Can anyone suggest a repair? I have been unable to obtain a wiring diagram or schematics to follow. We have a pretty good mechanic here at the embassy car pool that I am sure could resolve the issue if I had a wiring diagram or suggestions on how to find the problem.
Thanks in advance for any help provided!
Maj. Lawrence - out.

konigstiger

All originate from rear SAM, see attachments.

ventexan

I have downloaded that info and will get with the mechanic tomorrow. I can fly ANY plane yet know nothing of automotive electronics! Gonna watch and learn! Thanks much for the info. Much obliged!
Maj. Lawrence - out.