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Sorry if this has been asked before - I searched and did not find anything.
The right front LED running lamp on my 2015 ML350 has been flickering and then went out. The dash screen gave a warning about the passenger side daytime running lamp. Upon inspection, I found that there was moisture inside. Showed it to the dealer who said it was not a flaw but a rock that cracked the glass and allowed moisture to get inside so it is not warranty and they will fix for about $450! (It is barely visible so did not notice when I looked at home but after they pointed it out I do see there is a small chip and crack)
I found the part online for $115 (the dealer themselves said they stock it for about $145). Is it reasonable to fix it yourself? $300 for labor seems high even for a dealer - usually these units either pop out from the front or are fastened from the back and you have to get underneath the bumper. I searched online and found some videos of older MLs but didn't see any instructions on how to replace this part for the W166. Any help would be appreciated!
The same darn thing happened to me last week. I'm considering replacing the light myself since the dealer quoted me $500 as well. I bought a slightly used OEM light from Ebay for $160.
That DRL is attached to the black plastic mesh-like cover using four tabs. The tabs are SUPER hard to release. The right DRL (in my case) can be accessed by hand from the open hood, but I will very likely have to take the car to a local mechanic and have him remove the panels then swap the light.
I haven't gotten anywhere with it. I'm still looking at ways to see if I can release that black plastic cover from the bumper and then in turn (hopefully) have an easier time releasing the DRL since it would be up close. I would be fine paying someone but $450-$500 seems awfully high. I tried sliding in a thin metal plate to see if I could feel for any tab or latch release but no luck.
I will try through the top with hood open and see if I can do anything...
Here's a picture of the led light from the back. The plastic cover is from a GL, but the light is the same for ML. You can see where the four tabs are located. This is what I ordered. Prying that light from the plastic housing was a pain in the *** even when it was fully in my hands. Those tabs are snug!
Thanks for the pic! I can see why it would be so difficult to remove. From the pic, it looks like the tabs attaching the black housing to the bumper are in the middle, so don't see an easy way to remove that from the outside front either.
I know this is an old thread, but was wondering if you were ever able to DIY this. Exact same thing happened to me this morning and if it's something I can reasonably do in a few hours I'd rather save the labor cost from MB. Thanks!
Unfortunately was not able to DIY. I reached down from the engine compartment to try to pop it out but was unable to. Being a lease vehicle, I was especially afraid to mess up something even bigger. I ended up getting it fixed at a body shop. Fortunately my insurance was set up for a relatively small deductible ($50 or $75 - can't remember) for this kind of thing.
To follow up on this in case anyone finds themselves in the same boat as me. Ended up taking my car to the dealer. The dealer asked if I would wait on it while they fixed her up. I said "no I don't feel like waiting that long". My service rep said, oh no, it should take less than an hour. Basically they can access the LEDs by removing the wheel well liner. Took the dealer about 45 minutes. If I would have known this from the start I would have done it my self!.
TL;DR - You can replace the LED by removing the wheel well liner and accessing it from the back. No need to take the bumper off.
This is the light I'm trying to replace on my sisters 2016 GLE350. Is the same one you guys are referring to? Have searched everywhere and can't seem to find any part numbers or instructions.
Just for future reference for anyone wanting to replace the DRL LED's (lower on the bumper, not integrated with headlight) the part numbers are: Mercedes Daytime Running Light - Driver Side (LED) 2049065401
Mercedes Daytime Running Light - Passenger Side (LED) 2049065501
The process is fairly simple to replace:
1. Pull the whole black plastic/chrome trim and LED together from outside. It's held in with clips which are sometime a pain. Your removing the whole assembly not just the chrome trim piece.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector (Be careful with the connector as it is fragile)
3. Unclip the LED light to separate from the black plastic and chrome trim.
4. Clip in the new LED light.
5. Install the electrical connector.
6. Clip back the black plastic/chrome trim and led assembly to the bumper.
Just for future reference for anyone wanting to replace the DRL LED's (lower on the bumper, not integrated with headlight) the part numbers are: Mercedes Daytime Running Light - Driver Side (LED) 2049065401
Mercedes Daytime Running Light - Passenger Side (LED) 2049065501
The process is fairly simple to replace:
1. Pull the whole black plastic/chrome trim and LED together from outside. It's held in with clips which are sometime a pain. Your removing the whole assembly not just the chrome trim piece.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector (Be careful with the connector as it is fragile)
3. Unclip the LED light to separate from the black plastic and chrome trim.
4. Clip in the new LED light.
5. Install the electrical connector.
6. Clip back the black plastic/chrome trim and led assembly to the bumper.
Here is a picture of the assembly for reference.
How did you remove the black plastic and chrome trim? Do you just pry it off? I can't seem to find where the clips are
The driver's side daytime running light on my 2014 ML350 died. The failure was initially intermittent and triggered a dash warning. Then it went out permanently. Inspection showed a crack in the lens from a rock, so it is no surprise it failed. The part number for the left side (driver's side) is A2049065401 and it can be replaced by removing the left front wheel and front half of the inner fender.
I bought a non-OEM replacement from Amazon and replaced it. But it still doesn't work. I put a test light in the positive terminal of the connector and verified I have power to the connector. I unplugged the connector and re-plugged it in to verify the connector is seated. I can only conclude the new part I bought was dead on arrival. Is there something else that could be the problem? I've read other threads that noted needing to cycle the key when replacing this light or issues with the front SAM. But since I get voltage to the connector, I don't think those are are my issues.
Related question: Can I verify if the new part is good or bad by a simple continuity test between the two pins? I don't know much about testing an LED light. Should I get continuity if it's good and get "open" if it's bad?
And finally, anyone know the secret to releasing the clips that hold this part in? I tried for several minutes to get the original part out without damaging it. Could not get any of the four corners to release. Gave up and just cut the plastic on the old part where the connector inserts. If my replacement part is bad, I need to remove it to return it and don't want to cut it the same way.
If possible try to find a used OEM light, any aftermarket lamp tends to flash when its get too hot and are a different brightness than the OEM light which makes it look mix matched.
If possible try to find a used OEM light, any aftermarket lamp tends to flash when its get too hot and are a different brightness than the OEM light which makes it look mix matched.
Good point. However, I can't get mine to even light up. I bought the OEM light from Amazon and the seller already refunded my money without having to return it. I guess I will order a different aftermarket part and see if it works. If it doesn't match the other side, I'll replace it too.
Good point. However, I can't get mine to even light up. I bought the OEM light from Amazon and the seller already refunded my money without having to return it. I guess I will order a different aftermarket part and see if it works. If it doesn't match the other side, I'll replace it too.
There are control chips that the CANBUS system reads on them, aftermarket ones either don't work at all or behave erratically. Find a used original light, and you should be golden. (Black housing, MB logo on the bottom corner)
There are control chips that the CANBUS system reads on them, aftermarket ones either don't work at all or behave erratically. Find a used original light, and you should be golden. (Black housing, MB logo on the bottom corner)
Thanks for that information. I've already ordered a second aftermarket one from a different source. I'll plug that in when it comes in and see what happens. If it doesn't work or looks different, I'll return it and go your route.
The price of the OEM light is all over the map. Lowest I saw was over $100 so I am satisfied with my solution.
I never did figure out how to release even one of the four clips so I ended up cutting out the non-working replacement, too. The light is in a fairly inaccessible place and even with a variety of body trim removal tools, I couldn't release the clips.
Just for future reference for anyone wanting to replace the DRL LED's (lower on the bumper, not integrated with headlight) the part numbers are: Mercedes Daytime Running Light - Driver Side (LED) 2049065401
Mercedes Daytime Running Light - Passenger Side (LED) 2049065501
The process is fairly simple to replace:
1. Pull the whole black plastic/chrome trim and LED together from outside. It's held in with clips which are sometime a pain. Your removing the whole assembly not just the chrome trim piece.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector (Be careful with the connector as it is fragile)
3. Unclip the LED light to separate from the black plastic and chrome trim.
4. Clip in the new LED light.
5. Install the electrical connector.
6. Clip back the black plastic/chrome trim and led assembly to the bumper.
Here is a picture of the assembly for reference.
I'd love to hear more from @Mikey178 if he's still active; the only removal method I've seen is from behind by removing the wheel well liner (and possibly the wheel). If removal from the front is possible that would seem to be much easier.
Last edited by eddieo45; Jul 30, 2023 at 05:01 PM.
For those looking how to remove the black trim with the DRL light from the bumper, I will see if I can do a quick video today (Will need to figure out how to post a video as well) but there are 2 methods that I find work:
Option 1 - Grab the chrome trim with a good grip and pull outward. The chrome trim is held to the black trim fairly good. You might be able to pop a clip or 2 from the black trim to the bumper. The whole black and chrome trim come out as 1 piece. You do not need to separate the black trim from the chrome trim.
Option 2 - Take a small flat head screw driver, place a cloth against the painted bumper and pry outwards on the black trim at the edge. Once 1 clip pops out the rest should be easy.
In regards to the DRL light removal from the black and chrome trim, once you have the trim off the bumper with the light, disconnect the connectors. If you have a helping hand, have them hold the 2 ends at the chrome part of the trim and press to the back with their thumbs as you pop the clips from the back. In the picture I posted above you will see on the DRL there are 4 rectangle clip openings (2 on the top and 2 on the bottom). Alternately, as @sunedog mentioned, you could just cut them out as you are replacing it anyways.
For those looking how to remove the black trim with the DRL light from the bumper, I will see if I can do a quick video today (Will need to figure out how to post a video as well) but there are 2 methods that I find work:
Option 1 - Grab the chrome trim with a good grip and pull outward. The chrome trim is held to the black trim fairly good. You might be able to pop a clip or 2 from the black trim to the bumper. The whole black and chrome trim come out as 1 piece. You do not need to separate the black trim from the chrome trim.
Option 2 - Take a small flat head screw driver, place a cloth against the painted bumper and pry outwards on the black trim at the edge. Once 1 clip pops out the rest should be easy.
In regards to the DRL light removal from the black and chrome trim, once you have the trim off the bumper with the light, disconnect the connectors. If you have a helping hand, have them hold the 2 ends at the chrome part of the trim and press to the back with their thumbs as you pop the clips from the back. In the picture I posted above you will see on the DRL there are 4 rectangle clip openings (2 on the top and 2 on the bottom). Alternately, as @sunedog mentioned, you could just cut them out as you are replacing it anyways.
I'm gonna try yanking it out from the front; found this pic of the back and the clips look pretty sturdy:
I can confirm: yank it out from the front!! It’s easier if you remove the chrome piece first; it comes out easier. Use trim removal tools and pry carefully.
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