ruykava

hi everyone, i have a 2004 S350 in the far east. recently there's been an annoying problem with the little interior light in the door-handle recess. the one on the right rear keeps turning itself on and off repeatedly--it seems like some connection is loose. we don't have a real merc dealer here and the general mechanics can't find whats wrong. has anyone else got this problem? and how did you solve it? any help is very, very much appreciated. thanks!

my06clk

My front passenger door recess light is off also. is there a bulb at the end of the fiber wire? anyone know how to get to it? thanks..

bamberger_1

I dont think it's a fiber optic but a small SMD-LED, like the lighting in the foot wells. To get to it you need to take the upper part of the door panel off.
Pry off the wood carefully, open the 4-5 screws you find behind the wood, take out the little cover under the upper part of the door handle, another screw appears, then you pull off the plastic part including the seat memory thingy. Then you should have access to the recessed LED or what ever it is.

richardliebert

In your opinion, if the LED in the rear interior door handle burns out would that be considered a warranty item or normal bulb wear? My S500 is still under factory warranty. I would prefer if the dealer made the repair?

my06clk

I replaced mine.. it was 8.00 at the dealer. its not a light, but a small led module that is housed with a resisitor and a light pipe. it connects to the DCM.

I'm thinking it should be warranty if your car is covered, but mine wasn't. ITs a quick and easy fix.

SUNILP

There is a surface mounted LED with resistor to drop voltage. The light passes through a fiber optic tube and lights the interior of the handle. This is what all the w220 from 2003-2006 got. Earlier cars has a different lught (i think was a bulb)

richardliebert

Do you have any tips on removing the wood. I'm concerned that I'll crack it.

Trey

My rear passenger light is out as well. I bought a new one at the dealer ($15)and attempted to remove the door panel. I managed to get most of it apart, but something at the top was holding it too tightly to get in there and do anything. I have yet to see a good write-up on door panel removal and I have door shades that just complicate things. I decided to stop before breaking things and will wait until I take it to the mechanic for service to have it replaced.

From the shape of the module, I believe the entire door panel needs to be rmoved to gain access. The main body of the module goes behind the door handle with the fiber part wrapping around the back of the handle to the front.

trey

my06clk

YOu don;t have to remove the door panel to change this part. Only the wood trim and handle piece the module clip into the handle from the back but it can be removed as the tabs are facing you when you remove the handle cover. you just have to fish your hand around and grab it.

Trey

There is no way you can get your hand behind mine. Not sure what the difference is, but it is not possible.

my06clk

I should clarify,, yes have to pull the door panel out slightly, but not remove it.
IF you remove the wood trim, then remove the handle insert, you can see the module clips, they may be covered with some clear glue looking material You just push those tabs back and it frees the module.. If i get time today I will take mine apart and send you pics of how to do it.. Its not as hard as it looks...

Its the same way you get to the DCM except that doesn't get removed.

I'll post a DIY Later today. Been away to Germany the past 10 days so I have to cut my grass so I can see my house from the street again..

Trey

That would be great. Maybe I just missed something obvious.

Thanks,

Quadcammer

Can anyone shoot me a part number for one of these lights?

One of the lights took a dive on me, and the only part I found 220 820 04 21 (or 03 21 depending on side) are listed as being $30 retail price.

Thanks

Trey

Sorry, don'thave the part number, but I wouldn't doubt if $30 is the current price. Plug the part number into parts.com OEM part search and see what their price is.

Quadcammer

Yeah, parts.com has it for $17, which isn't hateful, but then again, its a tiny led.

No big deal, just wondering if I had the right part.

my06clk

I have the part number for the right side A 220 820 04 2 1 So you're numbers are correct.

YOu found them for 17 bucks at parts. com That's good I'm going t look there also.

You may want to get some door new clips for the slim door trim as they will likely be toast when you remove the trim. those trim peices can only be removed a couple of times befor the clips have to be replaced.

They are a little over 2bucks a peice at the dealer. I think there are 4 of them total per trim peice. Sorry I don't have the number I just tossed it the other day and forgot to record it.

Quadcammer

Yeah, I have the clips. I think its 2208204478 or something similar.

dweb4

My door handle LED on the drivers side just starting turning off and then on again every couple of minutes. From the earlier post on this topic is the LED about to go out and will replacing it solve the problem. Also any DIY threads with pic's on how to remove the upper door panel.

AH1W-COBRA

both our front doors do this intermittently.for the past two years,so it cant be the led.is the light on at all times that the ignition is on or is their a circuit/sensor that switches it on when it is dark?

dweb4

if i'm not mistaken the light comes on when the doors are locked and unlocked as well as when you have your lights on in the evening. i'm gonna try and take the upper panel off to get to the unit if anyone has any pic's of how to take the panel off would be appreciated.

Skylaw

You will have to remove the entire panel, and you should use a plastic or nylon panel removal tool to avoid pulling the anchors out of the panel and damaging it.

Unfortunately I do not have panel removal bookmarked to give you a link, but it has been written up either here or on BenzWorld - a search on "door panel removal" will probably get it for you.

dweb4

ok so the earlier post of having to remove the upper wood panel to get to the LED is incorrect or is it just easier to remove the whole door panel. i don't want to damage the door nor get involved with the removal and such with the SRS (airbag) on the door.

Flatearther 77

my interior door handle lights will not turn off,in my 2000 s430 mercedes

W210mae

Just found out the LED for the interior door recess lighting has been discontinued from the dealer.

Anyone know of any alternative solution?

wallyp

I just searched for orange LEDs, then bought several, as they were very cheap. I took the light assembly out and replaced the LED. Just make sure that you have the polarity correct before you put it back in the door...