SLK55 Fog Lamp Defect
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SLK55
SLK55 Fog Lamp Defect
After perusing both forums, here is a partial listing of those affected. A coincidence? I think not. Especially those with BOTH broken. It would be appreciated if anyone else afflicted add to the list. Remember to save your receipts for this nearly $200 item.
CP1: both fog lights broken
Blkslk55: both fog lights broken
FredfromNY: one fog light broken
SLK55er: one fog light broken
05slkmadmax: one fog light broken
CP1: both fog lights broken
Blkslk55: both fog lights broken
FredfromNY: one fog light broken
SLK55er: one fog light broken
05slkmadmax: one fog light broken
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From: Lausanne, Switzerland
SLK 55 AMG
Both of my fog lights are still intact (5000miles, 6 months of ownership).
Has any of you guys parked so that the bumper has rested on top of a a sidewalk? i.e. any scratches under your bumper? Maybe there's been pressure on the lamps...
But I doubt that, must be some fault in the manufacturing...
I'll report back if it happens to me.
Has any of you guys parked so that the bumper has rested on top of a a sidewalk? i.e. any scratches under your bumper? Maybe there's been pressure on the lamps...
But I doubt that, must be some fault in the manufacturing...
I'll report back if it happens to me.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Texas
2005 SLK55 AMG
Originally Posted by Shinigami
Both of my fog lights are still intact (5000miles, 6 months of ownership).
So, for the prevailing theory that it is heat build up, need to hours of on time. I would imagine a very low percentage in US ever turn their foglights on.
So, as people report this failure (or report they don't have a failure) we need to know approximate percentage of drive time (or hours) that you have lit your foglights.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: canada
Originally Posted by SLK55NEWB
I have a broken fog lamp lens. I bet they are too fragile for road debris which I am sure is the cause. Not sure if I want to spend the money to replace them yet.
Vincent
Vincent
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From: Spring, in the Republic of Texas
SLK 55 AMG
Both my fog lamps are broken. I purchased new ($157 each) and am in the process of finding some sort of plastic that I can glue to the front. Currenltly I modified two plastic cup measures for covers, but they really need to be 3.75 inches in diameter instead of the 3.5 inches. Still looking for something that I can modify as a shield. I am not going to put the new ones on the car until they are sufficiently protected.
What rocket scientist made the lenses out of glass, anyway, especially being about 8" off the road surface?
BTW, I never use my fog lights. They only come on when locking and unlocking the car, so I doubt that the breakage is caused by heat.
What rocket scientist made the lenses out of glass, anyway, especially being about 8" off the road surface?
BTW, I never use my fog lights. They only come on when locking and unlocking the car, so I doubt that the breakage is caused by heat.
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From: canada
Originally Posted by CP1
Both my fog lamps are broken. I purchased new ($157 each) and am in the process of finding some sort of plastic that I can glue to the front. Currenltly I modified two plastic cup measures for covers, but they really need to be 3.75 inches in diameter instead of the 3.5 inches. Still looking for something that I can modify as a shield. I am not going to put the new ones on the car until they are sufficiently protected.
What rocket scientist made the lenses out of glass, anyway, especially being about 8" off the road surface?
BTW, I never use my fog lights. They only come on when locking and unlocking the car, so I doubt that the breakage is caused by heat.
What rocket scientist made the lenses out of glass, anyway, especially being about 8" off the road surface?
BTW, I never use my fog lights. They only come on when locking and unlocking the car, so I doubt that the breakage is caused by heat.
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From: Spring, in the Republic of Texas
SLK 55 AMG
Looked to me like they got hit by road debris. There are a lot of dirt trucks and landscapers with trailers spewing crap on all the freeways all the time. One lens is completely gone but on the other you can see where it was hit.
Anyone with any ideas about fabricating a plastic cover or know of something common that can be adapted? The lens is about 3 3/4 inches in diameter.
Anyone with any ideas about fabricating a plastic cover or know of something common that can be adapted? The lens is about 3 3/4 inches in diameter.
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From: Lausanne, Switzerland
SLK 55 AMG
Originally Posted by bloflin
Shinigami, do you turn your fog lights on all the time. Here in the US setup, you have to take the headlamps off of AUTO mode and put on manual then pull the switch out a stop to get fthe front oglights on.[/B]
I never use the auto position anyway, I prefer to be the one in control of when and why my lights go on.
I hardly ever use my fog lights, but I do have the courtecy light function enabled so that when I leave my car or approach it, the fog lights lit up to show me my way.
Maybe cut a circle out of 3M clear plastic, the type used to protect the front bumper from stone chipping? It could maybe be enough to protect the fog lights... I doubt they get too hot, because if you turn them on and place your finger on the glass, it's not hot at all. And when you're driving, the air blown into it, will cool it down.
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Originally Posted by Shinigami
Maybe cut a circle out of 3M clear plastic, the type used to protect the front bumper from stone chipping?
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'05 SLK55, Obsidian, black/red, light and premium pkg., COMAND with nav, airscarf, Sirius
Add Me to the List, Fred
Just finished washing my '55, and guess what I found...the left fog light is broken. It's very coincidental that I used the fog lights (other than just turning them on for a minute to see if they worked) for the first time Wednesday night driving home in the rain.
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From: Spring, in the Republic of Texas
SLK 55 AMG
Originally Posted by fredfromny
I'm using the removed foglamp as a template for this material.
Costs less than a new foglight.
Cheers!
sheet
Costs less than a new foglight.
Cheers!
sheet
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Dallas
10 E63
ems to be a defective design..
Just reading this thread should say something to MB. I am sure if we voiced together we may get all of our lens repaired free. They may need time for R&D to improvise a solution.
Anyone know the next step?
Vincent
Anyone know the next step?
Vincent
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Have you posted here? Don't know if it will help ...
https://mbworld.org/forums/slk55-r171/108712-slk-problems.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/slk55-r171/108712-slk-problems.html
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SLK55
Updated List:
CP1: both fog lights broken
Blkslk55: both fog lights broken
FredfromNY: one fog light broken
SLK55er: one fog light broken
05slkmadmax: one fog light broken
SLKK55NEWB :0ne fog lamp broken
Shark: One fog lamp broken
PocketRrocket: One fog lamp broken
AMGgirl: One fog lamp broken
Blkslk55: both fog lights broken
FredfromNY: one fog light broken
SLK55er: one fog light broken
05slkmadmax: one fog light broken
SLKK55NEWB :0ne fog lamp broken
Shark: One fog lamp broken
PocketRrocket: One fog lamp broken
AMGgirl: One fog lamp broken
Senior Member
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From: Texas
2005 SLK55 AMG
Fred, mine are intact (so far), but only have 1000 miles. But it seems almost inevitable, so I'm very interested in the reason.
It might help to narrow the potential causes if people could comment on 3 things.
1. How much they are using the fogs (if at all) and for how long at a time.
2. Crawl under the front bumper to see if ANY indication of "curb rash", even if they think they haven't (perhaps a significant other that occasionally drives).
3. Look closely at and around fog light lens and chrome surround, to see if any indication of rock impact.
It might help to narrow the potential causes if people could comment on 3 things.
1. How much they are using the fogs (if at all) and for how long at a time.
2. Crawl under the front bumper to see if ANY indication of "curb rash", even if they think they haven't (perhaps a significant other that occasionally drives).
3. Look closely at and around fog light lens and chrome surround, to see if any indication of rock impact.
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If it helps, here are my stats -
- Both Rt & Lft lights still intact
- @ 5,000 miles
- I've used the foglights @ 5x at night and in wet, foggy AM conditions, but not for more than about 20-30 min
- I've curbed the front bumper more times than I'd like to admit :sheepish:
- xtra - If suspension might matter, the car had a Brabus suspension kit installed before it was even driven.
I'll let y'all know if one breaks and the circumstances.
- Both Rt & Lft lights still intact
- @ 5,000 miles
- I've used the foglights @ 5x at night and in wet, foggy AM conditions, but not for more than about 20-30 min
- I've curbed the front bumper more times than I'd like to admit :sheepish:
- xtra - If suspension might matter, the car had a Brabus suspension kit installed before it was even driven.
I'll let y'all know if one breaks and the circumstances.
Last edited by lisamcgu; Jun 7, 2005 at 04:19 PM.
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From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
......any chance the factory is installing the wrong wattage lamps? 
The
reason I say that is if the lamps are of a higher wattage that what is supposed to be in there the heat could cause premature lens failure.Just a thought.
Thereason I say that is if the lamps are of a higher wattage that what is supposed to be in there the heat could cause premature lens failure.Just a thought.
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From: Texas
2005 SLK55 AMG
Originally Posted by AMGC43
......any chance the factory is installing the wrong wattage lamps? The
reason I say that is if the lamps are of a higher wattage that what is supposed to be in there the heat could cause premature lens failure.Just a thought.
Thereason I say that is if the lamps are of a higher wattage that what is supposed to be in there the heat could cause premature lens failure.Just a thought.
That's why I was curious to get corresponding usage (or non-usage!) data.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 165
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'05 SLK55, Obsidian, black/red, light and premium pkg., COMAND with nav, airscarf, Sirius
Originally Posted by bloflin
Fred, mine are intact (so far), but only have 1000 miles. But it seems almost inevitable, so I'm very interested in the reason.
It might help to narrow the potential causes if people could comment on 3 things.
1. How much they are using the fogs (if at all) and for how long at a time.
2. Crawl under the front bumper to see if ANY indication of "curb rash", even if they think they haven't (perhaps a significant other that occasionally drives).
3. Look closely at and around fog light lens and chrome surround, to see if any indication of rock impact.
It might help to narrow the potential causes if people could comment on 3 things.
1. How much they are using the fogs (if at all) and for how long at a time.
2. Crawl under the front bumper to see if ANY indication of "curb rash", even if they think they haven't (perhaps a significant other that occasionally drives).
3. Look closely at and around fog light lens and chrome surround, to see if any indication of rock impact.
