rodneypierce

Alright guys. My 09 e550 has the front marker light out. I pulled it apart and the thing is bad due to corrosion. I attempted to toss a generic 194 bulb socket on there temporarily until my MB socket get here and I get no voltage at the socket.

I have 11.8 volts at the factory wires, but once the socket is hooked up I get zero voltage at the socket.... Is this system so sensitive that I must use the MB socket? Sounds crazy to me, but I'm not sure what else it could be?

Anyone else ever have a similar issue?

SorryAboutThat

One possibility is that the canbus system is cutting power to the sidemarker because no load is detected...and by the time you get over there to check the voltage it's already shut off. Test a standard incandescent bulb that's known to be good with your temporary socket. If using an led bulb make sure it's canbus compatible and if it doesn't work, take it out and re-install it the other way (turn it 180° and re-insert into the socket). Let us know what happens and how you solved the problem. Good luck...

SorryAboutThat

Just an afterthought...make sure power and lights are off when you insert the test-bulb. Then power everything up to see if it works.

rodneypierce

Just wanted to update this. It apparently is indeed that sensitive of a system.. As I tried all of the above with no luck. Got the Mercedes bulb socket, put it in and it lit right up. Odd, but at least I know now.

LemonSqueezy

The original side marker bulbs I had pretty much melted through everything surrounding it. Might be worth a shot to try out LED's with either the white or amber bulb along with the clear side markers.

LILBENZ230

Welcome to the (extremely sensitive) world of Mercedes. I find it adds character.

Honcho

Clear side markers with amber LED's is exactly what I want!
Where do I get them?

.

samaritrey

Within a few weeks of getting my w211 I found water in both front markers and huge amounts of corrosion and exploded bulbs. Had to replace one cover as it was melted and went to town with super glue on the other. Was able to get connector clean enough to work though luckily. Another interesting thing i found was the wiring harness was full of water wonder why that is?

AMGAffalterbach

Here are the LEDs you want for the sidemarkers, they run very cool so they won't melt through anything (even aftermarket clear sidemarkers) like the incandescent bulbs:

http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...wer/1127/2676/

Here are the clear side marker lenses and housing from ESDEPO for the Facelift W211:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DEPO-2007-2009-Mercedes-W211-E-CLASS-CLEAR-BUMPER-SIDE-MARKER-LIGHT-CHROME-BULB-/171389583033?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27e79d7eb9&vxp=mtr
DO NOT use the chrome bulbs that come with them, use the LEDs or you will burn and melt right through the thinner plastic and they will leak and short out. Here are the tinted/smoke version of the same lens set:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DEPO-2007-2009-Mercedes-W211-E-CLASS-SMOKE-BUMPER-SIDE-MARKER-LIGHT-CHROME-BULB-/121382200213?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c42f16395&vxp=mtr
By the way, the LEDs won't be as bright as the normal bulbs but they do their job at night and will light up amber, whereas the stock side marker bulbs are actually white light that just shine through the orange lens.

Stuttgarten

My left front left marker light just went out. How do you pull the lens out to change bulb?

SorryAboutThat

To get the sidemarker light out, try pushing the lens towards the front of the car while prying out the rear end. Should come out with a little efffort. Also might be possible to change the bulb by accessing from behind the panel after removing the wheel well liner/splash guard. The removal is also addressed somewhere in the owners manual, don't remember which page. Good luck.

btv94

I went to Mercedes dealer to buy replacement bulb, instead they replaced left front marker bulb for free and it only take 5 mins.

Stuttgarten

Dealers don't do that kinda stuff anymore! Well, maybe as a goodwill gesture. Nice guys!

Stuttgarten

Great advice. Had it replaced in 10 minutes. I slightly pried lens with a plastic wedge, then pushed plastic V-shaped clip to the left using a small flat screwdriver, which released lens. Bulb is a Sylvania 168. Luckily there was no melting, water, or rust.