BSsl55

2004 SL55 R230.
Hey, all. Have replaced the passenger's side light bulb in my stock fog light. Works fine. But, now, after a few months, sometimes the light will not come on - only on that passenger's side. I'll drive a little while, then it'll come on. Or I can turn the fog lights on and off a couple of times, and it will come on. Or, sometimes it works totally fine. But, when it doesn't, I can also sometimes "bang" on the face of the fog light, and it will come on. This happens in dry conditions, so water is not a factor.

I have taken the light bulb out and put it back in. Worked for a little while, then does the same thing. The bulb is good. I have considered the quality of the bulb. I think I bought it a Pep Boys, but I didn't skimp on a no-name brand. I can't remember the brand. Even so, halogen bulbs don't really act like this regarding quality. They either work or don't work. The filament looks good.

I've moved the wires around near the socket, but I can't seem to find that sweet spot where the wires are not making contact. Because I don't yet want to trace the wiring all the way back to the switch in the dashboard (ha!), I'm hoping it's the socket. Because of me being able to bang on the lens and get a response, that leads me to thinking the issue isn't the wiring going all the way back, anyway. Willing to start at the socket - the simplest solution.

Does anyone know where I can grab just the socket (aside from the dealership)? Part number? Only thing I can find are listings for the bulb or the entire fog light assembly itself. I'm not looking to change/upgrade the fog lights. Just looking to make it work (- and to also prevent arcing or a fire!).
Many thanks. Ben

dRockSL55

I had the same problem on the drivers side of my SL55, a new socket did the trick. although they looked okay something was wrong with the connection to one of the pins.

All you need is a universal 9006 bulb socket for the non-p030 03-06 sl55

Your problem could still be upstream, but it's easy to start here. If you decide to test with a meter note that without load the fog voltage output on that side will switch on and off a few times before going to 0 when the fog lights are first turned on. It needs current draw for the bulb out warning.
I'd put new bulbs in again as well.

BSsl55

Thanks so much, dRock.

Not sure what you mean by "non-p030". Would this work? http://www.ebay.com/itm/WIRE-PIGTAIL...UAAOSwbfZVH4Kn

dRockSL55

P030 is an option package, normally called "performance package" or some call it "f1"
it uses the SL55 f1 safety car front bumper which was also used on the sl65. This front bumper uses round fog lamps instead (with h7 bulbs, and a 9006-h7 adapter harness on the early sl55) hence the different socket

the sockets you linked should work fine although you may want to find something higher quality. I had issues with the eBay sockets, the pins are cheap and extremely loose. I think I ended up getting a dorman branded socket for around the same price on Amazon. You can find this locally as well.

BSsl55

Thanks so very much, dRock. Will look into the Dorman's. Much appreciated. Have a great one! Ben