SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: how do you replace the third brake light

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Old 11-18-2017, 09:43 PM
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2003 SL 500
how do you replace the third brake light

hi I was wondering if someone could lead me to an easy way to get to my third brake light.
does anyone have instructions? I can't find a video on youtube specific to SL trunk
Old 11-18-2017, 10:20 PM
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It's fairly simple - just remove the paneling and it's held in from behind by two bolts. You do have to move one other part to get to it:

http://benzbits.com/R230/CenterBrakeLight.pdf
Old 11-19-2017, 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Rudeney
It's fairly simple - just remove the paneling and it's held in from behind by two bolts. You do have to move one other part to get to it:

http://benzbits.com/R230/CenterBrakeLight.pdf
and put a piece of wood to hold the trunk while doing it? would you agree?

is there a picture if you don't mind sending or instructions anything to see what I am removing
ha
Old 11-19-2017, 07:06 PM
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Do you mean a picture of the paneling? I was going to include that, but WIS doesn't really say anything except to remove the plastic push-pins.
Old 01-05-2019, 11:14 AM
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This PDF is helpful, Thank you for sharing.


Originally Posted by Rudeney
It's fairly simple - just remove the paneling and it's held in from behind by two bolts. You do have to move one other part to get to it:

http://benzbits.com/R230/CenterBrakeLight.pdf
Old 01-05-2019, 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by goth
and put a piece of wood to hold the trunk while doing it? would you agree?
With good struts the lid should be stable in any position (my experience with a car without a motorized lid).
Old 01-07-2019, 12:09 PM
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I have never had the third brake light off even if i took off the inside carpet so i could take off the lower half of the trunk so i could replace the "licende plate nuts" since all 4 nuts was loose and just spinning

Can you change the light bulbs on the third brake light or is it as i suppose that the hole unit that needs to be replaced when it stops working?

Last edited by TheSaint; 01-07-2019 at 12:14 PM.
Old 01-08-2019, 02:55 AM
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2003 SL500
I thought that it is LED assembly, so there is no easy way to replace individual lights, but I might be wrong.
Old 01-08-2019, 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by alk247
I thought that it is LED assembly, so there is no easy way to replace individual lights, but I might be wrong.
It is a row of LEDs, but it might be possible to solder in new ones of some are not working. I think you can buy a whole new assembly for just over $100.
Old 01-24-2019, 09:36 AM
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This was my first DIY repair the light was fairly inexpensive and it was a great tip I read here to put the convertible top down to get the leather pads out of the way and it’s very hard not to break some of the plastic retraining clips that hold the liner in place but overall an easy fix even for someone like myself who’s not a wrench.
Old 04-19-2019, 10:00 PM
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2003 SL500-2010 GLK350
Vamp filler flaps

Hi guys! My first post, surely not my last. I am in the process of replacing my third brake light on my R230. I removed the lid liner ok though with difficulty. I know there will be zero chance of me getting it back in the way I took it out.
So, is there a way to cycle the filler flaps on an R230 while the boot lid is open? I tried cycling the top with with the truck closed but the vano rails prevented me from removing the liner.
Thank you so much in advance?
Old 04-20-2019, 01:37 AM
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See attached procedure from step 16.
Attached Files
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Old 10-04-2019, 06:58 PM
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I am a bit confused. Does it matter if the top is up or down?

Right now the top is down on my car, but I can put it up before replacing the third brake light if something will be in the way with the top down.

Thankss in advance for any help.

Lynn
Old 10-04-2019, 09:58 PM
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Originally Posted by LynnBilodeau
I am a bit confused. Does it matter if the top is up or down?

Right now the top is down on my car, but I can put it up before replacing the third brake light if something will be in the way with the top down.

Thankss in advance for any help.

Lynn
On my 2003, there was only one way it would fit for two reasons. First is a slight difference in shape. The second is the wire connector location.

if it were me, and I am admittedly very OCD, I would just take the time to put it right. Its a pain, but you won’t be redoing it again anytime soon.
Old 10-05-2019, 12:03 AM
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Originally Posted by JMDavis
On my 2003, there was only one way it would fit for two reasons. First is a slight difference in shape. The second is the wire connector location.

if it were me, and I am admittedly very OCD, I would just take the time to put it right. Its a pain, but you won’t be redoing it again anytime soon.

I get that. I agree it will only fit correctly one way. What I was asking is the the roof should be up (closed) or down (open). One of the posts above indicates that the owner was unable to get the paneling from the inside of the deck lid with the top up.
Old 10-05-2019, 01:33 PM
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Originally Posted by LynnBilodeau
I get that. I agree it will only fit correctly one way. What I was asking is the the roof should be up (closed) or down (open). One of the posts above indicates that the owner was unable to get the paneling from the inside of the deck lid with the top up.
The roof has to be up to start. Start the opening process until the two flaps open outwards and stop opening. That allows you to take the liner off without damaging the cables and top mechanism.
Old 10-05-2019, 04:08 PM
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Thanks.

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