Ambient Lighting issue on facelifited W221
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
2012 S550
Ambient Lighting issue on facelifited W221
Hello all,
I have a question for all you facelifited W221 owners that have the 3 color ambient lighting. My 2012 s550 blue ambient lighting no longer works in the back (under the wood trim in the doors) it works fine with the solar and nutral colors just not polar. Polar does work fine up front just not in the back. I am asking if any of you have had the same problem as when I was looking for this w221 I came across one that again only the blue lighting did not work in the back. Dealer told me the trim would need to be replaced as it is attached to the rear trim and trim alone is about $1300 plus labor. Of course LED lighting is one of the few items on my exclusion policy of my extended warranty. I think a letter to corporate MB may be in order because I am un happy that a 2012 already has LED lighting going out that is built in to the trim. Any input would be appreciated
I have a question for all you facelifited W221 owners that have the 3 color ambient lighting. My 2012 s550 blue ambient lighting no longer works in the back (under the wood trim in the doors) it works fine with the solar and nutral colors just not polar. Polar does work fine up front just not in the back. I am asking if any of you have had the same problem as when I was looking for this w221 I came across one that again only the blue lighting did not work in the back. Dealer told me the trim would need to be replaced as it is attached to the rear trim and trim alone is about $1300 plus labor. Of course LED lighting is one of the few items on my exclusion policy of my extended warranty. I think a letter to corporate MB may be in order because I am un happy that a 2012 already has LED lighting going out that is built in to the trim. Any input would be appreciated
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 7
From: Roseville, Ca
01 ML55 / 97 E320/01 CLK55/ 2010 S550
Hello all,
I have a question for all you facelifited W221 owners that have the 3 color ambient lighting. My 2012 s550 blue ambient lighting no longer works in the back (under the wood trim in the doors) it works fine with the solar and nutral colors just not polar. Polar does work fine up front just not in the back. I am asking if any of you have had the same problem as when I was looking for this w221 I came across one that again only the blue lighting did not work in the back. Dealer told me the trim would need to be replaced as it is attached to the rear trim and trim alone is about $1300 plus labor. Of course LED lighting is one of the few items on my exclusion policy of my extended warranty. I think a letter to corporate MB may be in order because I am un happy that a 2012 already has LED lighting going out that is built in to the trim. Any input would be appreciated
I have a question for all you facelifited W221 owners that have the 3 color ambient lighting. My 2012 s550 blue ambient lighting no longer works in the back (under the wood trim in the doors) it works fine with the solar and nutral colors just not polar. Polar does work fine up front just not in the back. I am asking if any of you have had the same problem as when I was looking for this w221 I came across one that again only the blue lighting did not work in the back. Dealer told me the trim would need to be replaced as it is attached to the rear trim and trim alone is about $1300 plus labor. Of course LED lighting is one of the few items on my exclusion policy of my extended warranty. I think a letter to corporate MB may be in order because I am un happy that a 2012 already has LED lighting going out that is built in to the trim. Any input would be appreciated
If the rear polar does not work you need to just remove the door panel and access the plug that goes to the light. Check the current and you'll know if there is a power problem or a simple led bulb replacment. They are easy to remove and replace. No you don't have to replace the whole trim, that's B.S. I have pics to prove it, in fact I now have spares since I replaced them with my own setup to do multiple colors besides just the three. $1300 PLUS labor? that's so rip off. Maybe replacing a control module and labor, maybe but not replacing the trim that does not need replacing. The trim has nothing to do with the lighting, you replace the small twin led that's on a ribbon cable that is attached to a removable plug. I doubt the leds are burnt, that's unusual but the only way to know is to check it yourself. It will only take you literally 10 mins. or less to check it if you have a meter or a computer safe test light.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Canada
2011 Mercedes S63 AMG
If the rear polar does not work you need to just remove the door panel and access the plug that goes to the light. Check the current and you'll know if there is a power problem or a simple led bulb replacment. They are easy to remove and replace. No you don't have to replace the whole trim, that's B.S. I have pics to prove it, in fact I now have spares since I replaced them with my own setup to do multiple colors besides just the three. $1300 PLUS labor? that's so rip off. Maybe replacing a control module and labor, maybe but not replacing the trim that does not need replacing. The trim has nothing to do with the lighting, you replace the small twin led that's on a ribbon cable that is attached to a removable plug. I doubt the leds are burnt, that's unusual but the only way to know is to check it yourself. It will only take you literally 10 mins. or less to check it if you have a meter or a computer safe test light.
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 7
From: Roseville, Ca
01 ML55 / 97 E320/01 CLK55/ 2010 S550
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 357
Likes: 5
G63 AMG
You should say, this happened a while ago before 50k miles, just have not have time to stop in. Also there is good-will warranty from MB where they should have covered it anyways!!!
Good luck,
FYI My friend had 2010 M5 and blew his motor 55k miles back in 2012, they covered it under good will warranty.
Good luck,
FYI My friend had 2010 M5 and blew his motor 55k miles back in 2012, they covered it under good will warranty.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,430
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From: USA
W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
That's ridiculous! My dealer replaced it with the Mercedes extended warranty. Service advisor said it really shouldn't have been covered but he'd do it. Try another dealer. They can easy do it, or talk to the service manager. That's just wrong.
