Anyone got a source for taillight bulbs?
I tried 3 different auto parts stores with no luck. Apparently, the only one available as a bulb-only from the dealership is the clear backup light. The rest only come attached to the plate ($70+).
The part numbers in the photos are Phillips (light bulb company) part numbers.
W221 Taillight board
W221 Rear fog light
W221 Backup light
W221 Turn signal
I'm not interested in switching to LED. I just want to replace all of the above with new ones.
I think something might be wonky with your part numbers. Old part numbers for Philips maybe? Luckily, the wattage is printed right there on the bulbs.
Turn Signal - PHILIPS 12271NA
Reverse Lamp - PHILIPS 12184
I can only find the brake lamp on eBay for some reason. Maybe they don't go out very often? PH19W was getting results. It's a module instead of just a bulb.
- Turn on the lights (not auto).
- Pull towards you one click for the front fog lights.
- Pull towards you a second click for the rear fog lights.
Bright red lights are here. They are as bright as brake lights and are always on. They are there to keep cars from running up on you in very foggy weather.
This is a very popular option on German cars. I've seen them on BMWs, Audis, and even VWs. That being said, not all W221s have this feature.
You'll notice that his switch only activates a single light. I have rear fog light bulbs on both left and right sides of my US spec car...but maybe only the left is programmed to illuminate? It's the right side that will not illuminate, even though there is a bulb in the assembly. Hmmm....I just realized that I don't have any "bulb out" codes. So, maybe it's working as designed?? But, why is the bulb there? Questions...
For Parking Lights, you twist the knob to the left (past O) one or two clicks. They activate the front and rear "corner lights" (I don't know the proper term. But the lights that are on at night along with your headlights).
It's the lower left or right of the rear:
Trending Topics
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
There have been several pileups on the interstate due to fog. I wish these were mandatory equipment on all vehicles. It's such an easy add-on with a great benefit.
Maybe for US-spec cars it's only one light. I had an Audi A8 that was also only one light.
It's throwing me off that the other bulb is indeed in the assembly (that's it in the pic above), but it's not wired/coded to work.
OK. Problem solved! I don't need a new bulb!
Thanks, @Shadly1 !




I tried 3 different auto parts stores with no luck. Apparently, the only one available as a bulb-only from the dealership is the clear backup light. The rest only come attached to the plate ($70+).
The part numbers in the photos are Phillips (light bulb company) part numbers.
W221 Taillight board
W221 Rear fog light
W221 Backup light
W221 Turn signal
I'm not interested in switching to LED. I just want to replace all of the above with new ones.
dangerous and stupid European safety idea way back in the early 1980's where headlamps were yellow glow worms, cars had no brakes and no grip and the tail lights on most cars were smaller and dimer than a 1960's bicycle dynamo light
there are used by most morons at the slightest sign of inclement weather - when the legal use is only if visibility in FOG is below 100m. Used at night or in heavy rain basically you can't see ANYTHING in heavy traffic on motorways and they are the cause of many multiple car pileups








