2013 GLK250 brake lights/turn signal rear
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Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Cartersville, Georgia
Mercedes Benz GLK250
2013 GLK250 brake lights/turn signal rear
Does anyone have experience or knowledge about the GLK250/350 LED brake lights and how to activate the lower section to work along with the top section? It may be referred to as the Euro program?
Would appreciate any help on this!
Would appreciate any help on this!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 24
Likes: 2
From: Cartersville, Georgia
Mercedes Benz GLK250
glk LED Stop Lights
Hi,
It's not an EXTRA bulb. If you know what the (LED) tail lights on a 2013 GLK250 look like
The working brake lights are located at the top of the bezel and just below that is another section of what looks like an identical bank of leds but they do not illuminate for braking or turn signals.
There has to be someone out there that knows about a software update that can activate these lights for USA vehicles??
It's not an EXTRA bulb. If you know what the (LED) tail lights on a 2013 GLK250 look like
The working brake lights are located at the top of the bezel and just below that is another section of what looks like an identical bank of leds but they do not illuminate for braking or turn signals. There has to be someone out there that knows about a software update that can activate these lights for USA vehicles??
Last edited by rick8560; Aug 24, 2015 at 04:26 PM.
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2020 C8, 2020 defender 110X, 2019 720S, 2014 GLK 350 4matic, 2015 escalade platinum, 2013 RRS HSELux
2013 GLK250 brake lights/turn signal rear
Originally Posted by rick8560
Hi,
It's not an EXTRA bulb.:
It's not an EXTRA bulb.:
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 24
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From: Cartersville, Georgia
Mercedes Benz GLK250
The Euro models and the USA models have slight differences on some features. With this suv it's the tail lights. I have been told there is software for the GLK250/350 that costs $500 that will allow you to make lots of changes to the vehicle. As you may be aware, computers control everything on and in cars today. Somewhere someone has knowledge or experience with this.
Last edited by rick8560; Aug 24, 2015 at 09:45 PM. Reason: left out some data
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Are you sure it's the same on both sides (left and right)? Don't remember off-hand but you may be looking at the rear fog light portion. Maybe they're even fitted to both sides but only illuminate on one side depending on market (left-hand drive or right-hand drive).
Hi,
It's not an EXTRA bulb. If you know what the (LED) tail lights on a 2013 GLK250 look like The working brake lights are located at the top of the bezel and just below that is another section of what looks like an identical bank of leds but they do not illuminate for braking or turn signals.
There has to be someone out there that knows about a software update that can activate these lights for USA vehicles??
It's not an EXTRA bulb. If you know what the (LED) tail lights on a 2013 GLK250 look like
The working brake lights are located at the top of the bezel and just below that is another section of what looks like an identical bank of leds but they do not illuminate for braking or turn signals. There has to be someone out there that knows about a software update that can activate these lights for USA vehicles??
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Cartersville, Georgia
Mercedes Benz GLK250
MBKLUE, I remember a guy at the service department telling me something about a rear light on the driver side only that is used in Europe when the vehicle is parked? I'm not sure what it means. There is a switch near the headlight knob on the dash board for that single light I mentioned. I don't know anything about a rear fog light though?
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MBKLUE, I remember a guy at the service department telling me something about a rear light on the driver side only that is used in Europe when the vehicle is parked? I'm not sure what it means. There is a switch near the headlight knob on the dash board for that single light I mentioned. I don't know anything about a rear fog light though?
The other thing you're talking about is something different. In many places in Europe and probably other parts of the world you can park on the street with one half of your vehicle on the sidewalk (narrower streets than in the U.S.). Then you can turn on the front and rear parking lights depending on which half of your vehicle is sticking into the street. These are lower power bulbs, unlike the fog light, so you don't kill the battery. Typically these are turned on with a combination of the headlight switch and then the turn signal lever, again, depending on which side you want illuminated.
All this should be in your owner's manual and if you don't have one you really should purchase one at M-B. They have a part # just like any other part on the vehicle.
Typically I would purchase a second set for whatever vehicle I had. One to keep pristine in case I sold the vehicle and one to mark in, dog ear pages etc. etc.
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From: Lagrange, Ohio
glk 250
rick8560, I have a 2015 GLK250 and would like to hear the answer to your question. My manual says nothing about these particular lights. You can never have bright enough brake lights in the US.
Bob
Bob
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From: Cartersville, Georgia
Mercedes Benz GLK250
GLK250 LED Lights
Hello everyone who commented or was interested in my question about the brake/turn signal LED lights on my 2013 GLK250. Since nobody had any real solid answers for me I decided to remove the entire light fixture and investigate myself. The news is, the lower section does not have leds installed. From the outside looking in it's hard to tell if there are tiny leds in there.
The removal was simple. You go through the access door on either side of the rear compartment. There is a foam cover that is installed on the back of the light fixture. Don't try to remove it from the access area. There are 3- 8mm nuts to remove from the access area body. Note: do not try to push the white clip from the inside of the access area.
Then while standing outside behind the light, carefully slide the entire unit straight back as you do, a side clip that attaches to the top corner on the side of the body outside will release the fixture. Once the fixture is disconnected from the body opening you can remove the foam covering. Then remove the wiring socket so you can fully remove the fixture, there is a small clip on both sides you have to push in with your fingers as you wiggle the plug out while holding the small white housing with your other hand. Then you can take the light unit to a flat surface and have a look inside. You will see a circuit board and another cable plug that attaches to the white housing which holds the single back up lamp. There is also another empty socket on the white house not being used. The inside of the light fixture has a red backing that can be unscrewed too but I did no do that after determining that there were no leds on the lower section that was in question.
To put the light back on just do everything in reverse.
The removal was simple. You go through the access door on either side of the rear compartment. There is a foam cover that is installed on the back of the light fixture. Don't try to remove it from the access area. There are 3- 8mm nuts to remove from the access area body. Note: do not try to push the white clip from the inside of the access area.
Then while standing outside behind the light, carefully slide the entire unit straight back as you do, a side clip that attaches to the top corner on the side of the body outside will release the fixture. Once the fixture is disconnected from the body opening you can remove the foam covering. Then remove the wiring socket so you can fully remove the fixture, there is a small clip on both sides you have to push in with your fingers as you wiggle the plug out while holding the small white housing with your other hand. Then you can take the light unit to a flat surface and have a look inside. You will see a circuit board and another cable plug that attaches to the white housing which holds the single back up lamp. There is also another empty socket on the white house not being used. The inside of the light fixture has a red backing that can be unscrewed too but I did no do that after determining that there were no leds on the lower section that was in question.
To put the light back on just do everything in reverse.
Last edited by rick8560; Aug 26, 2015 at 03:17 PM.
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350GLK
350 GLK Lower Tail Lights.
Thank you for saving me the time and aggravation of taking the tail light assembly out of my car! That would have been my next step.
Do not know about anyone else, but extra switches that do not work, or lights that appear to not function correctly drive me crazy!
Do not know about anyone else, but extra switches that do not work, or lights that appear to not function correctly drive me crazy!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 24
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From: Cartersville, Georgia
Mercedes Benz GLK250
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From: Lagrange, Ohio
glk 250
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From: North Shore of Lake Ontario
2011 Porsche 997.2, 2015 GLK250, 2009 Sierra 2500HD Diesel
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 24
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From: Cartersville, Georgia
Mercedes Benz GLK250
Tone Of Message on MBGLK250
I am not on this site to argue about anything.
I joined to ask questions and get answers. Constructively at that! When I feel targeted with a reply from someone, it's in my nature to defend myself. Sorry if I came across as ungrateful or anything like that.
The question I asked back in August 2015 was not answered completely enough to dowse my curiousity. Eventually, after my own physical investigation, I answered my own question. I know at least one owner found my detailed answer helpful. 
We are all here to share information about our vehicles. Ask questions about issues and possibly show off our purchases to others. I am not denying that fabbrisd1 is major contributor of information to this site. Maybe i was in a mood when I read his statement to my question recently and just fired off.
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Mercedes Benz GLK 350
you can’t turn them on because they are fake decoys if you take out the cover and the bulb circuit board that holds the back up lamp, the back of the lights are closed off with no leds sticking into that area.
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Joined: Dec 2021
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2013 GLK 250 Bluetec
Hello everyone who commented or was interested in my question about the brake/turn signal LED lights on my 2013 GLK250. Since nobody had any real solid answers for me I decided to remove the entire light fixture and investigate myself. The news is, the lower section does not have leds installed. From the outside looking in it's hard to tell if there are tiny leds in there.
The removal was simple. You go through the access door on either side of the rear compartment. There is a foam cover that is installed on the back of the light fixture. Don't try to remove it from the access area. There are 3- 8mm nuts to remove from the access area body. Note: do not try to push the white clip from the inside of the access area.
Then while standing outside behind the light, carefully slide the entire unit straight back as you do, a side clip that attaches to the top corner on the side of the body outside will release the fixture. Once the fixture is disconnected from the body opening you can remove the foam covering. Then remove the wiring socket so you can fully remove the fixture, there is a small clip on both sides you have to push in with your fingers as you wiggle the plug out while holding the small white housing with your other hand. Then you can take the light unit to a flat surface and have a look inside. You will see a circuit board and another cable plug that attaches to the white housing which holds the single back up lamp. There is also another empty socket on the white house not being used. The inside of the light fixture has a red backing that can be unscrewed too but I did no do that after determining that there were no leds on the lower section that was in question.
To put the light back on just do everything in reverse.
The removal was simple. You go through the access door on either side of the rear compartment. There is a foam cover that is installed on the back of the light fixture. Don't try to remove it from the access area. There are 3- 8mm nuts to remove from the access area body. Note: do not try to push the white clip from the inside of the access area.
Then while standing outside behind the light, carefully slide the entire unit straight back as you do, a side clip that attaches to the top corner on the side of the body outside will release the fixture. Once the fixture is disconnected from the body opening you can remove the foam covering. Then remove the wiring socket so you can fully remove the fixture, there is a small clip on both sides you have to push in with your fingers as you wiggle the plug out while holding the small white housing with your other hand. Then you can take the light unit to a flat surface and have a look inside. You will see a circuit board and another cable plug that attaches to the white housing which holds the single back up lamp. There is also another empty socket on the white house not being used. The inside of the light fixture has a red backing that can be unscrewed too but I did no do that after determining that there were no leds on the lower section that was in question.
To put the light back on just do everything in reverse.
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GLK 250
Well, since this thread was revived, I might as well add my 2 cents.
To sum up, the tail light housing is mostly LED and only with software and/or splicing wires could you get more functionality from the light. For the US market and DOT regs, what we have is what's required.
However, there are one or two regular bulbs at the bottom of the housing that can be replaced. Both housings have one bulb each for reverse light and one of the housings (the left I think) has an additional bulb for fog light. It's possible one could add another bulb in the other housing in that location but it may or may not work as an additional fog light. Even if it does, there is a reason why MB opted to not put one in for the US market cars. Most folks who might see both of those bright red fog lights would first assume the driver is stepping on the brakes rather than simply having fogs on.
In any case, I bring this up because I recently had a rear turn signal out and I followed the above directions to replace the burnt out bulb.
To sum up, the tail light housing is mostly LED and only with software and/or splicing wires could you get more functionality from the light. For the US market and DOT regs, what we have is what's required.
However, there are one or two regular bulbs at the bottom of the housing that can be replaced. Both housings have one bulb each for reverse light and one of the housings (the left I think) has an additional bulb for fog light. It's possible one could add another bulb in the other housing in that location but it may or may not work as an additional fog light. Even if it does, there is a reason why MB opted to not put one in for the US market cars. Most folks who might see both of those bright red fog lights would first assume the driver is stepping on the brakes rather than simply having fogs on.
In any case, I bring this up because I recently had a rear turn signal out and I followed the above directions to replace the burnt out bulb.
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