SLK-Class (R170) 1998-2003: SLK 200, SLK 230K, SLK 320

SLK/R170: About time, I got around to connecting up my other rear fog light.

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Old 02-07-2007, 03:51 PM
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W205 C300
About time, I got around to connecting up my other rear fog light.

I added the wire and the bulb socket to the other side tail light as well as installing lower wattage bulbs. Now I can run with them on and people will not think that I have a brake light stuck on or out on one side. Mercedes just leaves the wire out on the other side and there is a cap on the socket in the taillight.
Attached Thumbnails About time, I got around to connecting up my other rear fog light.-taillights.jpg   About time, I got around to connecting up my other rear fog light.-taillights2.jpg  
Old 02-10-2007, 04:33 PM
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W205 C300
Top pin needs to be added and run over to the same position on the other side.

Light socket needs to be added after the plastic blank is removed from the hole for the bulb.

Install 5W bulbs in place of the 21W used for the rear fog light.
Attached Thumbnails About time, I got around to connecting up my other rear fog light.-2408_1.jpg  
Old 02-11-2007, 07:00 PM
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1999 SLK230 Kompressor
E-Klasse, what pin/wire did you have to add/run over to the same position? I am looking at my grid and it looks like the grids are identical on both housings. There are 6 pins in the black adapter your red arrow is pointing to in the attached picture. What am I missing? I thought it was a matter of plug & play...
Old 02-12-2007, 11:11 AM
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W205 C300
There will be a pin missing in the very top position of the connector that plugs in to the taillight and not on the taillight. Add the pin and run a wire to the same position on the drivers side. The sockets that Mercedes use are made by AMP. You can get one from some other connector on the car or at the dealership.

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Old 02-12-2007, 05:01 PM
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1999 SLK230 Kompressor
Thanks for the clarification.
Old 03-14-2007, 05:26 PM
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where did you buy the scoket and wires for the additional fog light, I have the same issue..."Hey you have a brake light out" on my SLK230
Old 03-15-2007, 11:24 AM
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W205 C300
You can get the socket from the dealership or salvage yard. The part number is on the back of the one you have. I had an extra set of tail lights so I just used one that I had. The pin that you have to add is common to most of the connectors on the car. That too can come from the dealership or stripped out of another connector. I got one at a salvage yard and took a pin out and just added wire from the hardware store. I picked up some 5W bulbs that have the same base to fit in the socket as the original bulb. I ran the wire from side to side under the plastic trunk lid sill.
Old 02-27-2009, 05:29 PM
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can you show some fotos of your wireing? how you mated the left to the right?
Old 02-27-2009, 06:21 PM
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I don't have any photos but the easy way to wire them together is to look at the socket on the right tail light. Find the pin that is left out. Install a pin in the socket that is connected to about 5 feet of wire. Run that wire behind the carpet and under the plastic cover along the sill of the trunk to get to the other side. Now count over the same number of spaces where the empty hole was on the other socket and push the wire in to make contact with the connector. Test by installing the bulb in the empty hole and turn on the rear fog lights. You can secure the wire or splice in to the wire once you know it is the correct one. I would recommend installing the 5W bulbs in place of the 21W original one so that the brightness matches the running lights and not the brake lights.
Old 02-27-2009, 08:24 PM
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You guys are kidding, right? I'm hoping you don't drive around with your "fog lights" on all the time. It's poor form, just like running around with the beams on high.
I haven't checked the manual, but I consider that light to be an extra backup light, for reversing in particularly dark areas.
Old 03-06-2009, 08:58 PM
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Similar question to immediately-preceding post: why? I had an R170 and now have an R171 and I still don't know what purpose a rear fog light serves. All perimeter lights must be on before any of the fogs can be activated anyway, so conspicuity isn't the issue. I used the fogs as daylight running lights so I don't disappear to traffic, but someone please explain the purpose of the rear fog light to me. Thanks.
Old 03-06-2009, 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted by VAslk
Similar question to immediately-preceding post: why? I had an R170 and now have an R171 and I still don't know what purpose a rear fog light serves. All perimeter lights must be on before any of the fogs can be activated anyway, so conspicuity isn't the issue. I used the fogs as daylight running lights so I don't disappear to traffic, but someone please explain the purpose of the rear fog light to me. Thanks.
From what i understand... One light on the left.... you usually pass on the left... so if you are coming up on someone in fog and see that light, you are passing them on that side...
Old 03-09-2009, 03:06 PM
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W205 C300
Originally Posted by Cslk
You guys are kidding, right? I'm hoping you don't drive around with your "fog lights" on all the time. It's poor form, just like running around with the beams on high.
I haven't checked the manual, but I consider that light to be an extra backup light, for reversing in particularly dark areas.
If you would bother to read the whole post, the original 21w bulb is replaced with a 5W bulb so that the brightness matches the running lights and not the brake lights.

The reverse fog light has no use for me. I live in the southwest where we don't get fog. The idea for the added light was to be seen on the drivers side in extreme fog.
Old 03-12-2009, 04:37 PM
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i think its a great idea!
Old 04-05-2009, 07:31 PM
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2011 E350 4 matic Wagon
I never thought to do this as I have had MB cars since 1987 and I love the expression on peoples faces when they tell me I have a burnt out light or a brake light stuck on. They seem surprised to consider that if fog lamps are necessary for improved vision looking forward that maybe it would be good to have a brighter light on in the rear as well. I will have to consider doing this.

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