TangoRed

Hey all, I'm looking at loaded 2009 ML350s (or an ML550 if I can find one.) I've read on here about the passenger tail lights leaking and ruining the SAM unit. Does this still happen with the LED tail lights?

AudiA4Turbo22

This is a very RARE problem and I have yet to see a member on here or any other forum post about this.

Don't worry about it, it would take a PUDDLE of water inside your tail lights to have any detrimental effects on the SAM.

TangoRed

Awesome. Thanks!

SirML350

By LED tail lights do you mean aftermarket or OEM?

Sharkster

I had an OEM LED taillight installed without any sealing against moisture. Look at the stain on the floor... that's the amount of water that came off the removed taillight as I turned it around.

MB replaced the taillight. No problems since then.

However, I think it's a total shame that a taillight bare of any moisture sealing could slip MB's quality control. Makes you wonder what else bugs they didn't find.

AudiA4Turbo22

That's what happens when a car manufacturer budgets EVERYTHING. Whether it is finished or not, quality or cheap, it ends up on the car once the budget is used up.

diemon

I had this problem when I installed LED tail lights passenger sided was leaking and SAM was wet and malfunctioning so I had to change SAM and aftermarket sealing to original one. No problems since.

tgerman

Posting this to say that water intrusion from the passenger tail light is not rare. After experiencing very strange elec. issues for the past few days, I just noticed water dripping from the tail light assembly inside the fuse / rear SAM area. It's raining here today. A few days ago, all of my 12v outlets quit as well as my from and rear wipers. Still unsure if the rear SAM controls these. Posted a "HELP" on forum, but no replies.

OUZO Power

Happened to me. Fried my LED tail light.

There is a replacement updated part to address the leaking.

Euler

Not true. I have a 2008 ML 550 and the rear tail light leaked, ruining the rear SAM. I don't know if the LED assembly will do the same, but the rear tail light leak is a common problem. When the SAM goes out several things cascade. The lift gate latch does not sense the lift gate is closed and continues to torque until it breaks, the interior light then stays on because the tail gate does not close, and the battery dies because the interior light is on.

In addition, wipers stop working, can't start car with pushbutton, fuel tank gauge stops working, and on it goes.