License Plate Light Lamp not working DIY wiring repair
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
2003 C32, 2002 S55, 1999 SL500, 2004 S430
License Plate Light Lamp not working DIY wiring repair
This is for problems where your license plate bulbs / lamps or just one are good but not turning on. Along with having the license plate warning light on the dash.
One snag you will run in to when diagnosing is that no power will be sent to the plate lamps unless the trunk is closed. I'm sure there is a way around this, i locked the latch and grounded it but that didn't work. Anyways with some of the panels you have to take off to get the lamp sockets out you will have holes to run your test leads through to pin the wire in different areas.
Other than checking fuse. Check for power at the lamp socket. With no power at the lamp move on.
Find the wire your looking for in my case it was the only one twisted together with the power wire to the other socket, check for power on your wire at the Rear SAM
I had power on my wire at the rear sam, so next I probed various spots along the loom and narrowed it down to this 1 foot section of wire. I was lucky enough to see 1 copper strand sticking out of the braid.
After I cut some of the braided loom open I found my wire stretched and broken along with the power wire to my other license plate lamp broken but still touching.
One snag you will run in to when diagnosing is that no power will be sent to the plate lamps unless the trunk is closed. I'm sure there is a way around this, i locked the latch and grounded it but that didn't work. Anyways with some of the panels you have to take off to get the lamp sockets out you will have holes to run your test leads through to pin the wire in different areas.
Other than checking fuse. Check for power at the lamp socket. With no power at the lamp move on.
Find the wire your looking for in my case it was the only one twisted together with the power wire to the other socket, check for power on your wire at the Rear SAM
I had power on my wire at the rear sam, so next I probed various spots along the loom and narrowed it down to this 1 foot section of wire. I was lucky enough to see 1 copper strand sticking out of the braid.
After I cut some of the braided loom open I found my wire stretched and broken along with the power wire to my other license plate lamp broken but still touching.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
2003 C32, 2002 S55, 1999 SL500, 2004 S430
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
04 S600 16 Honda
I think this is the link:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...t-working.html
I, too, have the same problem with my left side license plate light not working but the bulb is good, I read CarBizIndio's post and thinking that must be it but being lazy I have not yet open any panels or braided wire loom in the trunk.
Mike
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...t-working.html
I, too, have the same problem with my left side license plate light not working but the bulb is good, I read CarBizIndio's post and thinking that must be it but being lazy I have not yet open any panels or braided wire loom in the trunk.
Mike
Trending Topics
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
S320L
Number plate lights fixed!
I saw the pictures from the other forum and went straight for the cable bundle going from the retractor box to the boot lid. As mentioned the wires must have been made about half an inch short so take the tension of the whole bundle. My left light was already out and as soon as I opened up the net wrapping the other wire broke. So get in the boot pull the lid off the box the stretch bundle comes out of, unhook it from the "U" shaped spring retractor and cut open the sheathing you will find your problem in 5 mins. Good luck
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: Fishers, IN
2004 S500 4Matic
Splice to the working lightsocket wiring
My 2004 S500 driver side license light does not work and suspecting the wiring loom. What happens if I cut the driver side wiring and wire to the passenger side working light socket wiring? Will that cause problem?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
2003 C32, 2002 S55, 1999 SL500, 2004 S430
you may cause some problems if you pull 2 bulbs worth of power from that one wire. Maybe you can find some led or aftermarket bulbs that use half the power and give it a shot. You wont get rid of the malfunction light that way tho.
