peter2772000

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.

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.

DanD.

Thank you so much. I have found a very good vid on youtube should help me too.

Do you have a part # for plastic clips or Amazon link?

Harrison Reed

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.

DanD.

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.

Harrison Reed

It's only a PITA the first time, it gets easier. I went through about 10 sets of bulbs before finding these. They look light headlights from the back, no one can miss them.
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.

tjbrum

dude, just what I was looking for. Ordered. Thanks!

KAHBOOM

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

peter2772000

Thanks for waking up this thread. I got used to clearing the back-up lights error. Just ordered the bulbs as well!

peter2772000

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....

Potrice

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.

eddieo45

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:

Harrison Reed

It's been several years and these lights still work great. They're bright for the screen, bright when drivers see you are in reverse, and I haven't had any codes. Extremely happy with this installation. The base of these bulbs are rubber or soft plastic of some kind. Most bulbs twist into place, but these (it's been a while) snap into the hole. I believe you can rotate the bulbs after they're installed, but it's easy to remove and reinstall them. To aim the bulb, set the parking brake on (or get someone to help you), put the car in reverse, get in the trunk (helps to put one of the seats down), make small adjustments by rotating the bulb, then check the camera as the goal is to best illuminate your path for the camera. Sounds like a good calibration area is your driveway at night. BTW, you do this before reinstalling all the plastic and polarity matters for these bulbs.

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.

eddieo45

I don't think I'd mess with the front bulbs. I have the adaptive high beams and they make the country roads plenty bright. I just need to get those back-up bulbs replaced and remove the 20% tint that a previous owner installed.

Harrison Reed

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.

BlownV8

The stock halogen lights are the worst I've ever experienced on any car. It's shameful that MB would ever put those in any vehicle.

eddieo45

and a great tip for those with halogens. I had them in my 2006 CLK and replaced the whole headlights with xenons.

​​​​​​​the last car of mine with them was that 2006 and back then every car had them. Not sure when MB finally stopped using them.