E350 Turn Signal Bulb Replacement?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
2008 CLK 550 Cabriolet
E350 Turn Signal Bulb Replacement?
I'm helping a friend with his 2006 E350, his wife smashed one of the taillight assembies & we decided to update both sides to the LED "appearance package" version. That went well but one of the turn signal bulbs is burned out and for the life of me I can't figure out how to remove the faulty bulb from its socket without ruining the socket. The bulb appears to be soldered in place. It was my intention to use one of the old brake light bulbs to replace the burned out bulb, but I can't get them out without ruining them.
What am I missing here?
What am I missing here?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 865
Likes: 61
From: Bay Area
14 550 sedan
The bulbs are soldered on to a circuit board type of thing. You'll have to remove the circuit board from the tail light assembly and replace it with a new one unless you're skilled enough to know how to remove the burnt bulb and solder on a new one without breaking it. In most cases it's just more worth it to replace the board.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
2008 CLK 550 Cabriolet
That is utterly ridiculous but I was kind of afraid that was the case. Been working on German cars for years and nothing surprises me about some of the utter stupidity I have seen with some of their engineering. 
Why make something so simple (bulb replacement) become so complicated/expensive?
Why make something so simple (bulb replacement) become so complicated/expensive?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 865
Likes: 61
From: Bay Area
14 550 sedan
Yea they are a bit ridiculous. It's supposed to be designed to last a very long time but still a pain once they do go out. A $50 replacement that costs roughly $1.50 on a regular car is just silly.
