Thanks for posting this. It made replacing the third brake light a simple task. For anyone else facing this job, I suggest that you choose the replacement part carefully. The OEM Mercedes part is pricey. (I know that shouldn't come as a shock.) Some of the options on Amazon have mixed reviews including phrases such as "Cheap Chinese junk." I took the middle ground and bought a light made by ULO. The gasket that seals the unit to the car looks identical to the one on the OEM part that I removed. It seems to fit tightly. Time will tell whether it will leak. Leaks were one of the issues sighted in the review of the inexpensive Amazon parts. I paid around $100 which is less than half the price of the OEM part but double the cost of the least expensive option. Although this is not the worst job I've done on my C230, I prefer not to do it twice because of a part failure.
You've helped me before. I wonder if you can tell me how to go about changing the light bulb in the armrest storage compartment on a 2011 SL550. I don't want to just pull the lens out without knowing that's the right way to do it.
I should have loosen the screws first...my after market part kept wanting to separate from one end and wasn't making s tight seal. The rubber seal was also not seating well. I used a tiny bit of glue to keep it in place and that seems to have worked. When I finally got it done most of the rubber seal made good contact but a small section looks to have separated. I am thinking about using some sort of silicone to fill in the gap that remains.
Hi ! For my 95 C280 3rd brake light, the lens seems to be distorted from exposure to sun. I could replace with OEM, is this easy to do ? Also was wondering if there a 3rd party LED type available which is brighter and maybe has the flashing feature. Thank you Bruce
The later model w202s used an led third brake light .. The bulbs are not compatible with the older style though. The newer one can be installed after the old unit is removed , but it's a heck of a lot of work to remove everything to get to the mounting points.. I think the rear shelf and seat need to come out
Ordered the third brake light from Ebay. There is a really big problem with these because the seal rubber ring which surrounds the light isn't big enough on the ends and it leaves a really big gap for water to seep in. I had to cut off the thicker ends on the original light seal and jam them on both ends to fill that gap.
+David Browne It's both.. It's made from lanolin ..my grandfather always used it on farm equipment to prevent rust and to keep everything lubed..great for rustproofing because it stays where it's sprayed, and penetrates deep into rust. repels water, bike and motorcycle chains.. great stuff. My brothers and I used it on the leather bindings and to deepen the pockets on our lacrosse sticks (back when they were made of leather ..lol) Best way to soften and break in a new baseball glove too. I think it's actually safe too eat since its pure sheep squeezings :) It's gotten very expensive lately because people have unfortunately realized it is so good. The red sprayable rust check oil spray seems to work ok too. Not as good as fluid film though. Once you try it , you'll be hooked
I'll definitely give it a try. As usual, thanks for all you do! BTW I'm using official Fupabox magnetic drain plugs in my CLK and very happy with them.
OMG seems that every time I type something in youtube I find you! HI again! So, the reason I am looking here is because I took out that bulb holder on my 500sl hi mounted 3rd BL. ended up I did not have to take whole trunk lid trim off just a few fasteners and the the access cover and one additional plug. Anyway Do recall it was not working. I tested ALL 6 bulbs and they all tested good. I have power to the plug and yet NO break light. I am starting to think it is either the bulb holder is bad or I have a grounding issue. I did test the bulb holder with all bulbs out and there was no resistance so I think it is good But ya never know... any way I will try and put a ground wire on the light and see what happens...also I will take the holder and see if I can test it some how. If you have any suggestions I would love to here em. Take care
RIGHT U R!! AGAIN! So, as it turns out there is a ground wire issue. Did not want to tear the sh*t out of my trunk so soldered a ground wire to my bulb carrier and attached my own ground to the trunk lid under the trim and it works great now. I plastered you name all over Benzworld thanking you for your help in fixing all my lighting problems So talk to ya when I talk to ya Thanks again next project map light switch but I need a break first that looks scary... so I am not sure yet. Take care
excellent job.. wiring on Benzs from those years can be a pain .. the government mandated biodegradeable coating on wires , And there was no time to properly test their durability.
actually not as easy as u did in the video, took me 2 hours to replace it, after that i figured can remove it from outside, much easier and less work to put in
Thanks for posting this. It made replacing the third brake light a simple task. For anyone else facing this job, I suggest that you choose the replacement part carefully. The OEM Mercedes part is pricey. (I know that shouldn't come as a shock.) Some of the options on Amazon have mixed reviews including phrases such as "Cheap Chinese junk." I took the middle ground and bought a light made by ULO. The gasket that seals the unit to the car looks identical to the one on the OEM part that I removed. It seems to fit tightly. Time will tell whether it will leak. Leaks were one of the issues sighted in the review of the inexpensive Amazon parts. I paid around $100 which is less than half the price of the OEM part but double the cost of the least expensive option. Although this is not the worst job I've done on my C230, I prefer not to do it twice because of a part failure.
Life saver man...I was trying to pry those clips every which way. Thank you for this.
You've helped me before. I wonder if you can tell me how to go about changing the light bulb in the armrest storage compartment on a 2011 SL550. I don't want to just pull the lens out without knowing that's the right way to do it.
Hi !
from which manufacturer is the new brake light? Is the original Mercedes? If not, does it leak some water into the trunk?
ebay aftermarket light ... My neighbour still has the car and the light is still working many years after replacement. no water has gotten in
Remember he will be back in one Second...
My c200 brake light broke at the exact same place as well, like exactly the same 😂 thanks for the video
My too
Is it difficult to get it out when seats in ?
I should have loosen the screws first...my after market part kept wanting to separate from one end and wasn't making s tight seal. The rubber seal was also not seating well. I used a tiny bit of glue to keep it in place and that seems to have worked.
When I finally got it done most of the rubber seal made good contact but a small section looks to have separated. I am thinking about using some sort of silicone to fill in the gap that remains.
what kind if tool you used to take out those 2 screw's? I thought it was a Phillaps screw driver, nothing I have removes them
They may or may not completely unscrew..as long as you can loosen them, the light can be popped out
Hi ! For my 95 C280 3rd brake light, the lens seems to be distorted from exposure to sun. I could replace with OEM, is this easy to do ?
Also was wondering if there a 3rd party LED type available which is brighter and maybe has the flashing feature.
Thank you
Bruce
The later model w202s used an led third brake light .. The bulbs are not compatible with the older style though. The newer one can be installed after the old unit is removed , but it's a heck of a lot of work to remove everything to get to the mounting points.. I think the rear shelf and seat need to come out
Thank you your video was very helpful. 5 minute job was a stretch but you did save me a lot of time.
Ordered the third brake light from Ebay. There is a really big problem with these because the seal rubber ring which surrounds the light isn't big enough on the ends and it leaves a really big gap for water to seep in. I had to cut off the thicker ends on the original light seal and jam them on both ends to fill that gap.
Disregard the question about the armrest storage compartment light. The lens does just pull out.
just in the midst of answering comments . Glad you got it . Cheers
How come you can take off the cover so easily? Mine is well sealed. All screws are tight as...
Thanks to you I managed to do it without a problem:) thank you
Nice vid as usual! Can you give any more detail on the spray rust proofing you use? You mentioned Fluid Film, is that a spray lube or rust proofing?
+David Browne It's both.. It's made from lanolin ..my grandfather always used it on farm equipment to prevent rust and to keep everything lubed..great for rustproofing because it stays where it's sprayed, and penetrates deep into rust. repels water, bike and motorcycle chains.. great stuff. My brothers and I used it on the leather bindings and to deepen the pockets on our lacrosse sticks (back when they were made of leather ..lol) Best way to soften and break in a new baseball glove too. I think it's actually safe too eat since its pure sheep squeezings :) It's gotten very expensive lately because people have unfortunately realized it is so good. The red sprayable rust check oil spray seems to work ok too. Not as good as fluid film though. Once you try it , you'll be hooked
Ah, sheep lard :) lanolin is amazing stuff, I use it on boats as well (and you never see a rusting sheep!)
I'll definitely give it a try. As usual, thanks for all you do! BTW I'm using official Fupabox magnetic drain plugs in my CLK and very happy with them.
David Browne .thanks.. I have them in all my cars too :)
Lol .. No rusty sheep :)
OMG seems that every time I type something in youtube I find you! HI again! So, the reason I am looking here is because I took out that bulb holder on my 500sl hi mounted 3rd BL. ended up I did not have to take whole trunk lid trim off just a few fasteners and the the access cover and one additional plug. Anyway Do recall it was not working. I tested ALL 6 bulbs and they all tested good. I have power to the plug and yet NO break light. I am starting to think it is either the bulb holder is bad or I have a grounding issue. I did test the bulb holder with all bulbs out and there was no resistance so I think it is good But ya never know... any way I will try and put a ground wire on the light and see what happens...also I will take the holder and see if I can test it some how. If you have any suggestions I would love to here em. Take care
I think you are onto it..I would check the wires to the light that run up the hinge. I bet the positive one is good and the negative is broken .
RIGHT U R!! AGAIN! So, as it turns out there is a ground wire issue. Did not want to tear the sh*t out of my trunk so soldered a ground wire to my bulb carrier and attached my own ground to the trunk lid under the trim and it works great now. I plastered you name all over Benzworld thanking you for your help in fixing all my lighting problems So talk to ya when I talk to ya Thanks again next project map light switch but I need a break first that looks scary... so I am not sure yet. Take care
excellent job.. wiring on Benzs from those years can be a pain .. the government mandated biodegradeable coating on wires , And there was no time to properly test their durability.
Where did you get it and how much did you pay? Thanks!
+Terry Gee Ebay...was around $80 with shipping...dealer price was $250 +
Ebay 30
How do I know if it’s the light or the fuse?
you could remove the light and hook it directly to 12v power ..if it lights up the fuse is bad
Thank you great information 👍
Great video thank you - it literally took me 8 mins to do this!
Great video.i ll back in the second.thank you
Thanks for sharing it really helped
actually not as easy as u did in the video, took me 2 hours to replace it, after that i figured can remove it from outside, much easier and less work to put in
Nice. Thanks
Thanks for taking the time & trouble to post this, very helpful indeed......!!
Exactly what i need it! Great video.