Replacing the Reverse or Backup Light Bulb with a LED 400 Lumen
#51
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Montreal/Cape Coral FL
Posts: 1,234
Received 146 Likes
on
130 Posts
2012 X6 35i Sport, 2013 ML 350 BT, 2019 4Runner TRD Pro, 2020 CRV-AWD
Yup, that's the way to get to them alright.
My "error-free" bulbs have been giving me error codes since I put them in, so I have to clear the error message on the dash whenever I've put the truck in reverse. one of these days.
I really should get on with ordering the right replacements and do away with those pesky error messages once and for all.
My "error-free" bulbs have been giving me error codes since I put them in, so I have to clear the error message on the dash whenever I've put the truck in reverse. one of these days.
I really should get on with ordering the right replacements and do away with those pesky error messages once and for all.
The following users liked this post:
BIGBEAR_1 (12-06-2021)
#52
You remove the plastic trim from the inside of the tailgate. Remove cover handles (pop odd, use a wider flat head screwdriver - you should see a slot to wedge he screwdriver in), remove four torx screws, pop the lower section of the trim off and disconnect the electrical connection(s), then pop off the rest of the trim. Some/many of the 15 or so plastic trim clips will break, so buy new ones from Amazon or the dealer (expensive) before you start.
Bulb bases twist out (if I remember right), and the bulb is simply pulled out.
The new bulbs have a rubber base. Make sure you aim your bulbs. Before reinstalling the trim, put the car in reverse with the parking brake on, so the reverse lights illuminate and your car doesn't roll away. You can also get a friend. To aim the lights, rotate the base until the light looks right to you in the car's screen.
Bulb bases twist out (if I remember right), and the bulb is simply pulled out.
The new bulbs have a rubber base. Make sure you aim your bulbs. Before reinstalling the trim, put the car in reverse with the parking brake on, so the reverse lights illuminate and your car doesn't roll away. You can also get a friend. To aim the lights, rotate the base until the light looks right to you in the car's screen.
#53
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally Posted by Harrison Reed
You remove the plastic trim from the inside of the tailgate. Remove cover handles (pop odd, use a wider flat head screwdriver - you should see a slot to wedge he screwdriver in), remove four torx screws, pop the lower section of the trim off and disconnect the electrical connection(s), then pop off the rest of the trim. Some/many of the 15 or so plastic trim clips will break, so buy new ones from Amazon or the dealer (expensive) before you start.
Bulb bases twist out (if I remember right), and the bulb is simply pulled out.
The new bulbs have a rubber base. Make sure you aim your bulbs. Before reinstalling the trim, put the car in reverse with the parking brake on, so the reverse lights illuminate and your car doesn't roll away. You can also get a friend. To aim the lights, rotate the base until the light looks right to you in the car's screen.
Bulb bases twist out (if I remember right), and the bulb is simply pulled out.
The new bulbs have a rubber base. Make sure you aim your bulbs. Before reinstalling the trim, put the car in reverse with the parking brake on, so the reverse lights illuminate and your car doesn't roll away. You can also get a friend. To aim the lights, rotate the base until the light looks right to you in the car's screen.
Do you have a part # for plastic clips or Amazon link?
#54
See my presvious Post, # 37 in this discussion. The link does not transfer to this message.
You have to remove the back panel as described somewhere above. Some clips will break and I bought these replacements:
The link above does work.
You have to remove the back panel as described somewhere above. Some clips will break and I bought these replacements:
The link above does work.
#55
MBWorld Fanatic!
Have LED installed last night.
What a PITA process to get to the bulbs
Its definitely make difference.
Harrison Reed, did you remove part of the foam from the plastic cover just to avoid LED heat sink touching it? It gets very hot in a min or two.
What a PITA process to get to the bulbs
Its definitely make difference.
Harrison Reed, did you remove part of the foam from the plastic cover just to avoid LED heat sink touching it? It gets very hot in a min or two.
#56
I believe I removed some foam/insulation, but I don't remember. I never planned on being in reverse for more than a few moments, so I left as much as possible in tack.
#57
I removed the panel from the interior of the tailgate and replaced the weak reverse bulbs with bright LED bulbs several times, probably five different sets of LED bulbs. Most set off the CANBUS warning. I finally found a pair that work straight out of the packaging, electric polarity matters. It takes about an hour to complete the entire job.. These lights pop right into the socket. I reinstalled the plastic cover after rotating the bulb to make sure the light shined on the road through the rear view camera as desired. Install is really not difficult at all with the right tools: torx screwdriver and interior trim removal tools.
I installed these LED lights into the backup socket, they snap right in an no error codes:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071G7QD5T
You have to remove the back panel as described somewhere above. Some clips will break and I bought these replacements:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CKDRSBV
I installed these LED lights into the backup socket, they snap right in an no error codes:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071G7QD5T
You have to remove the back panel as described somewhere above. Some clips will break and I bought these replacements:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CKDRSBV
dude, just what I was looking for. Ordered. Thanks!
The following users liked this post:
KAHBOOM (12-30-2019)
#58
Member
Great find Harrison Reed
BTW we did the software update. It made a hide difference. I bought the LEDs that Harrison recommended. I’m going to install those as well. But honestly after the software install, it makes the camera much much better such that you don’t really need the new LEDs. But since I have them, I may as well go all out
BTW we did the software update. It made a hide difference. I bought the LEDs that Harrison recommended. I’m going to install those as well. But honestly after the software install, it makes the camera much much better such that you don’t really need the new LEDs. But since I have them, I may as well go all out
#59
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Montreal/Cape Coral FL
Posts: 1,234
Received 146 Likes
on
130 Posts
2012 X6 35i Sport, 2013 ML 350 BT, 2019 4Runner TRD Pro, 2020 CRV-AWD
Thanks for waking up this thread. I got used to clearing the back-up lights error. Just ordered the bulbs as well!
#60
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Montreal/Cape Coral FL
Posts: 1,234
Received 146 Likes
on
130 Posts
2012 X6 35i Sport, 2013 ML 350 BT, 2019 4Runner TRD Pro, 2020 CRV-AWD
Ashamed to admit that I only just replaced the reverse-light bulbs and ****** of Gawd, I was literally blinded for at least 20 seconds while adjusting the orientation of the bulbs. (FYI, vertically is 100% brighter than horizontal).
Auxito 2000 lumens, OK white (pack of 2). Freakin wicked....
Auxito 2000 lumens, OK white (pack of 2). Freakin wicked....
#61
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 208
Received 31 Likes
on
27 Posts
2013 ML350 Bluetec, 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible (sold)
Thanks for the post. I will order some.
On a side note, and I don't mean to hijack the thread, do you guys have some to replace brake light bulbs? Are those useable for brake light bulbs as well? I'm at 220 000km on my ML350 and I keep changing the driver side (left) brake light bulb every 6 months. The right one is still the OEM one (go figure). Installing LEDs they will never burn again.
On a side note, and I don't mean to hijack the thread, do you guys have some to replace brake light bulbs? Are those useable for brake light bulbs as well? I'm at 220 000km on my ML350 and I keep changing the driver side (left) brake light bulb every 6 months. The right one is still the OEM one (go figure). Installing LEDs they will never burn again.
#62
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Milton, MA USA
Posts: 2,984
Received 181 Likes
on
151 Posts
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe kid: 2017 GLC SUV
Ashamed to admit that I only just replaced the reverse-light bulbs and ****** of Gawd, I was literally blinded for at least 20 seconds while adjusting the orientation of the bulbs. (FYI, vertically is 100% brighter than horizontal).
Auxito 2000 lumens, OK white (pack of 2). Freakin wicked....
Auxito 2000 lumens, OK white (pack of 2). Freakin wicked....
Anyway, this could be my first MOD on the ML, and I found bulbs that are 4000 lumens:
Last edited by eddieo45; 08-01-2023 at 08:25 AM.
#63
please tell me more about orientation adjustment. I only just finally replaced my "extra car", a 2006 Lexus RX330 with a beautiful ML400. The Lexus had horrible backup lights, and even after replacing them with bright LEDs they were no better as they had a diffuser on them to deflect the light downwards instead of back. They were evidently designed to support the backup camera, not to support an old geezer driver looking out the back window. People on the Lexus forum said the primary function of the backup lights were to alert drivers behind me that I'm in reverse; F*** that, I'm in the pitch black woods and I can't see my mailbox at the end of the driveway (and I'm not about to start looking at my dashboard while backing up).
Anyway, this could be my first MOD on the ML, and I found bulbs that are 4000 lumens:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071G7QD5T
Anyway, this could be my first MOD on the ML, and I found bulbs that are 4000 lumens:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071G7QD5T
If you're looking for front led bulbs to replace the dim headlight bulbs, these are the best I've install (of the 20 sets or so)..Bright, easiest to install because the clip is attached to the collar, it's been two years and they still work, and bright.
Front bulbs are difficult to install, and the one piece collar/clip that holds the bulb in place helps a ton.
The following users liked this post:
Don_CA (11-14-2022)
#64
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Milton, MA USA
Posts: 2,984
Received 181 Likes
on
151 Posts
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe kid: 2017 GLC SUV
If you're looking for front led bulbs to replace the dim headlight bulbs, these are the best I've install (of the 20 sets or so)..Bright, easiest to install because the clip is attached to the collar, it's been two years and they still work, and bright.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081BWV4TG/
Front bulbs are difficult to install, and the one piece collar/clip that holds the bulb in place helps a ton.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081BWV4TG/
Front bulbs are difficult to install, and the one piece collar/clip that holds the bulb in place helps a ton.
#65
My car did not have adaptive lights, nothing special like adaptive or the bi-xenon. Many people said the regular bulbs are dim, pretty scary on freeway driving through farmland at night. I went through a similar journey of bulbs for the front. Just thought I would share since it's a common issue.
#66
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: In my garage
Posts: 8,674
Received 1,096 Likes
on
883 Posts
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
My car did not have adaptive lights, nothing special like adaptive or the bi-xenon. Many people said the regular bulbs are dim, pretty scary on freeway driving through farmland at night. I went through a similar journey of bulbs for the front. Just thought I would share since it's a common issue.
#67
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Milton, MA USA
Posts: 2,984
Received 181 Likes
on
151 Posts
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe kid: 2017 GLC SUV
My car did not have adaptive lights, nothing special like adaptive or the bi-xenon. Many people said the regular bulbs are dim, pretty scary on freeway driving through farmland at night. I went through a similar journey of bulbs for the front. Just thought I would share since it's a common issue.
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)