S-Class (W221) 2007-2013: S 320 CDI, S 350, S 450, S 500, S 550, S 420 CDI, S 600

Flickering Tail Lamp - 2012 W221

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Apr 4, 2024 | 08:27 PM
  #1  
300SE1993's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 277
From: Northeast
2012 S350 Bluetec, 2014 GLK250 Bluetec, 2026 E350 4Matic
Flickering Tail Lamp - 2012 W221

Searched the forum and the only LED issues I found were for cars that were modified. Mine is fully stock.

Sometimes I get the error to check brake//tail lamps and when I get out of the car to look at it, the lower group of red LEDs on the passenger side blinks, almost as if it's acting like a turn signal. Other times it's fine. Has anybody else experienced this or know what the fix is?
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2024 | 06:49 AM
  #2  
BOTUS's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 1,672
S500
LED bulbs are weird - they need a driver to control them, its the driver that's usually the part that gives up making them flash on and off (a bunch of electronic chips playing with the voltage). Usually part of the setup and not replaceable - a secondhand lamp unit will probably sort it - but even these are serious money on ebay

I guess LEDs are AC and the drivers takes the cars DC and messes with it? in the old days LEDs were polarity sensitive, but more modern drivers now work it out and you can fit later LEDs any which way
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2024 | 07:22 AM
  #3  
chassis's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
MBWorld Ambassador

5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,663
Likes: 4,567
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Failing LED. Time to replace it.
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2024 | 08:17 AM
  #4  
BOTUS's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 1,672
S500
they aren't removable in my older style light unit - slightly odd looking bulbs are ALL soldered to the board !!!
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2024 | 10:58 AM
  #5  
justchangeoil63's Avatar
Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 96
Likes: 53
From: California
2019 Mercedes S560
Mercedes LED's are very sensitive, unfortunately. Particularly in older cars as the weather stripping that keeps water out slowly degrades it can start to let moisture on to things that can't get wet. But long story short, LED issues = Just replace the whole thing.

I had this problem on my 08 E350's third brake light, the car kept yelling at me that the light was out sometimes, then it just died so I had to replace it. And my 12 S550 has 1 (literally only one) of the small while LED's in the front out, but you have to get a whole new headlight to fix that.

Just look around online, since it's just a taillight and not a big mechanical part it does not NEED to be OEM, but that's up to you. I try to order mid range priced aftermarket since it's just a big lump of red plastic and led strips.

Good luck!

Reply
Old Apr 5, 2024 | 11:00 AM
  #6  
300SE1993's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 277
From: Northeast
2012 S350 Bluetec, 2014 GLK250 Bluetec, 2026 E350 4Matic
Thanks for the feedback. Does anybody know if this part number is a complete unit ready to plug and play, complete with LEDs, circuit boards, connector? A2218200664
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2024 | 11:03 AM
  #7  
justchangeoil63's Avatar
Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 96
Likes: 53
From: California
2019 Mercedes S560
Since its an LED unit, all the lights should be built in and non removable, hence the whole getting a whole new light housing.

Most online stores/ listings will specify that it's plug and play. I don't think they are even sold without LED's.
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2024 | 01:49 PM
  #8  
BOTUS's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 1,672
S500
well what I can see is the unit with most of the bulbs even on the facelift cars is available separately for SENSIBLE money ??????????

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314237267560?


020 LAMP SUPPORT LEFT TAILLAMP 001 A 22 182 005 77 - $37.83
020 LAMP SUPPORT RIGHT TAILLAMP 001 A 22 182 006 77 - $37.83
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 5, 2024 | 01:52 PM
  #9  
BOTUS's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 1,672
S500
actually that's not even sensible - you are robbing them ???????????????
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2024 | 05:53 PM
  #10  
justchangeoil63's Avatar
Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 96
Likes: 53
From: California
2019 Mercedes S560
https://mbparts.mbusa.com/v-2012-mer...al--tail-lamps

That's what I found from Mercedes, appears to be the pre-facelift design though. I saw some taillight assemblies with everything for around 200-300, personally, that's what id get.
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2024 | 10:13 PM
  #11  
300SE1993's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 277
From: Northeast
2012 S350 Bluetec, 2014 GLK250 Bluetec, 2026 E350 4Matic
I just placed an order with a MB dealer that sells genuine parts for a discount. All in was <300 so hopefully that's the culprit.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2024 | 06:28 AM
  #12  
BOTUS's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 1,672
S500
Originally Posted by justchangeoil63
https://mbparts.mbusa.com/v-2012-mer...al--tail-lamps

That's what I found from Mercedes, appears to be the pre-facelift design though. I saw some taillight assemblies with everything for around 200-300, personally, that's what id get.

directly above your post is the facelefit part numbers... in post 8
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:00 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE