W203 saloon - rear light units

[nujon]

Any info please - What is the difference between the pre and post rear light units of the W203 saloon - in particular were the latter LED on the brake lights or are such units sold on e-bay just non-OEM custom jobs?

 

[alibally]

As i recall the w203 didnt have led lights. I think the fleabay ones are not fakes but genuine copys.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

IIRC the wiring plugs are different between pre- and post- facelift tail lamps.

Also the layout is slightly different. Again, IIRC when the lights are on the entire width of the headlamp unit is illumiinated on the post-facelift version, but only half-width on the pre-facelift version.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

IIRC the wiring plugs are different between pre- and post- facelift tail lamps.

Also the layout is slightly different. Again, IIRC when the lights are on the entire width of the headlamp unit is illumiinated on the post-facelift version, but only half-width on the pre-facelift version.

Bobby has got it spot on...

The connectors are indeed different on the original facelift lights so they aren't plug & play.

They do not have ANY LED lights. The main difference is the illimunation. when the lights are on the entire width of the cluster unit is illumiinated on the facelift version, but only half-width on the pre-facelift version.

I have swapped out the rear units on mine with the facelift units (including the new loom to get around the connector issue). However mine only light up half(ish) as I need to try to get my SAM coded to enable both running lamps on either side.

 

[nujon]

Thanks for the replies

Pardon my ignorance but what are where is the SAM unit re the rear lights - also how much of the trim do you have to take out to fit the facelift rear light harness(es)?

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Thanks for the replies

Pardon my ignorance but what are where is the SAM unit re the rear lights - also how much of the trim do you have to take out to fit the facelift rear light harness(es)?

The SAM is (IIRC) a Signal Acquistion Module, it's effectively a module that incorporates a fuse box and a set of relays.

It's located in the boot on the Left hand side (looking at the car from the rear). You would need to remove the trim carpets and possibly some of the plastic trim.