ML350 Tail Light Bulb Issues

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Alex225

MB Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 23, 2015
Messages
2,368
Car
CLS63 AMG
So, we recently picked up our 2011 ML350 and within the first week we noticed the brake light bulb was out, not an entirely unusual thing so I replaced it. Sadly it became apparent that it was out again, although the bulb itself seems fine. Then the fog light/tail light has done the same. I can even put on the fog light and it brightens, then after 10-20 seconds it dims.

Now I have been over all of the bulb holders, cleaned the contacts up, I have replaced every single bulb in the tail light just to be sure.

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Today I removed the tail light, I cleaned up the old gasket (which was a pain) and refitted the light.

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I have dried out the area using a cloth to soak up any water and some heat to dry out what I can. Annoyingly the issue is still there. The question is, do I just need to leave it to dry out or is there likely annother issue? I have seen issues with SAMs but know little about them or their cost. Any advice would always be appreciated.
 
Can't help with your dilemma Alex, but can sympathise with you. Our ML (albeit W166) still suffers from this issue. Beggars belief that another generation later and the ML is still plagues with water ingress into the rear lights.
Thank your lucky stars, you can replace the light bulbs...mine are sealed units and the light in its entirety has to be replaced once the LED strip fails! :wallbash:
 
Did you buy from a dealer ? Still in warranty period ?
Is there an earth point nearby that is corroded ?
 
Can't help with your dilemma Alex, but can sympathise with you. Our ML (albeit W166) still suffers from this issue. Beggars belief that another generation later and the ML is still plagues with water ingress into the rear lights.
Thank your lucky stars, you can replace the light bulbs...mine are sealed units and the light in its entirety has to be replaced once the LED strip fails! :wallbash:

Yes, thankfully they are a fairly straightforward item to remove and swap the bulbs out. Sounds like the LED strips in my S Class, one of which failed and was £38! Like you say annoying how the next generation of ML suffered the same issue.

Did you buy from a dealer ? Still in warranty period ?
Is there an earth point nearby that is corroded ?

Yes I bought from a trader so if leaving it to dry out and it not clearing the errors, I'll be taking it back. Only thing is he's based 50 miles away so will see what he suggests. That said he uses a dealership for servicing and repairs so may approve me using a more local specialist.
 
Hi,

I had similar issues and in the end it turned out to be the rear SAM. It may be worth taking it out, opening it up and cleaning it and then putting back together, although mine needed changing in the end. Have you considered the rear brake light bulb modification?

 

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