Check Third Brake Light Message

[vsmuthu]

Hi I got a message when driving back home "Check Third Brake Light" message and shown in Malfunctions list, but this went away when I switched ignition off and then back on again, I also asked my wife to check whether all three brake lights were coming on when I pressed the brake pedal and she confirmed that all were on. should I worry about this problem now?

The MB manual says this message come up only if all the LED's were blown!
The car is C200 CDI - 2003 model.

 

[vsmuthu]

C Class W203 Check Third Brake Light Message

I am getting the "Check Third Brake Light Message" rather all the time now and asked someone to check the lights what happens is all the LED (4) lights up but then the centre ones go off, what could be the reason? how much will the replacement cost?

 

[BlackC55]

Remove the brake light complete and see if you have a loose connection.

 

[vsmuthu]

Thanks for the reply, just a dumb questions if there was a loose connection won't it affect all the LED's instead of just the centre ones?

 

[BlackC55]

Not all the time. It maybe a loose connection inside the actual light unit.

 

[vsmuthu]

Ok I see, I have to do it this weekend. Any ideas how much a replacement will cost?

 

[clkman]

Hi,

It depends on wether you can dissasemble the third brake light. I have a CLK W209 which are prone to braking and that's around £75.00 for the complete light.

 

[Mayonez]

I have the same problem. Mine is intermittent as well.

Not sure if only some of the leds go out but I get the error on the dash and I've been told when it comes up that my rear bott lid brake light is not working.

I'll check tomorrow and update this post. Seems odd as I replaced the lights last August for £75 from MB :-(

 

[Mayonez]

Just checked and the brake light isn't working. I might have to take it apart and clean the contacts as suggested in another post.

I cannot believe a £75 piece of kit would simply just die after 5 months of use.

A technician told me the brake light sensors work on resistance and the amount of power drawn by the bulb. Not sure what that means