nehamm

First time MB owner, the center brake light and both side brake lights are not getting power. This is the bulbs on the inside brake lights, the outside bulbs which is also the turn signal works. I checked all fuses in the trunk and under the hood, all are good. no power to the fuse that controls the brake light in the trunk. Any help or suggestions would be great, thanks.

MercedesTheBest

well it could be many things really. but it sounds like a wire with a break in it somewhere. because there is no power going to the fuse for the trunk brake light then it would be a wire somewhere. it could be difficult to pinpoint exactly where the problem is because there is a lot of wiring. but it does sound like a broken wire.

motopedlr

The most common malfunction occurs when there is a broken wire at the point where the brake light wire bundle goes into the trunk lid. It may not be the culprit since you seem to be having other related issues.

nehamm

Thanks for the reply, I will start looking for a broken wire or bad connection. I am confused because one light works on each side of the car and the other ones (closest to the tag) along with the center light does not work. I assume these lights are suppose to be brake lights since they have duel element bulbs. After checking again I realized the park/driving lights on these same lights do not work. with no power to the fuse in the trunk shouldn't all the brake lights be out? would they not be on the same fuse? Seems the more I learn the more confused I get.

MercedesTheBest

well the most inside bulbs are the brake lights. and NOT driving lights. while the outside ones are driving lights and NOT brake lights.

nehamm

Thanks for clearing that up for me, I had nothing to compare to. However I think my wiring must be screwed up somehow because when I turn on the park lights the outside bulbs work and when I apply the brake the same lights get brighter. The inside lights do not work in either case. The turn signal works on both sides on the outside lights. I appreciate the help and will continue to look tomorrow.

MercedesTheBest

hmm thats very strange. it almost sounds as if someone did a rewiring job, a bad one, that was a way to fix an electrical fault. on my 1995 SL500 the inside ones are the brakes and the outside ones are just driving lights. but it does sound like someone did a rewiring job. look for strange connectoins to the lights, something that doesnt look like a professional mercedes benz job.

nehamm

which light is your turn signal? I looked at the wiring in the trunk and did not find anything that looked tampered with. I may have missed something since the temp. was 106 here in Alabama today tomorrow should be better only 105 predicted. will have to look fast.

MercedesTheBest

the turn signal lights should be yellow and be 2nd from the outside.

MercedesTheBest

that should help you. i scanned the page that tells you bulbs and everything.

nehamm

Thanks again to MercedesThe Best and Motopedler, found the broken wire that goes to the center brake light just where you said, at the flexible section near the hinge. Also found wiring had been tampered with to the other lights. Thanks to the diagram of the lights you posted I got it all back to factory specs. All lights are working now as they are suppose to. can't figure out why they were changed to begin with. Now I have to start on the hyd. system to get the top to work.

MercedesTheBest

glad it worked out and you were able to fix it. sometimes things are just tampered with because people want something different from everyone else. its weird but at least its good now.
i wish i could but i cant help you out with the top. one thing though is are you sure it is the hydraulics and not just a window synchronization problem? that can prevent the top from working because the top needs to know where the windows are so it wont hit them.

nehamm

About the hydraulics, I have two cylinders leaking and the reservoir is empty, will get back on this when I get the cylinders repaired. Thanks again for the help.

motopedlr

If your headliner is looking a little rough, now is a good opportunity to remove it and have it redone by a good auto upholstery shop. There is very little labor or material expense. I did it a few months ago. It cost me less than $150 total and my interior looks 100% better.

motopedlr

I forgot to mention that if your current headliner is sagging, you might want to have your upholsterer subtract an inch or two from the length..

nehamm

Just had the hard top liner recovered last week. removed and replaced the board myself. Looks good now. The soft top liner is good just needs someones greasy fingerprints cleaned. Will get to that soon. This little car seems to be good mechanically just been neglected a little. Will have back in top shape is a couple more weeks(I hope). Sure is fun to drive.