W123 Brake Light Mod
 

After one of my brake lamps went out and I went to change it I noticed an extra spot for the rear fog lamp but the car is not wired for it. I decided to make it into an extra brake lamp. Here are some pics, I am not sure how much the lamp socked is but it cant be much.

All you need is: wire, 2 lamp sockets, 2 bulbs, and a soldering gun.

http://home.cfl.rr.com/gti/Benz/benz.jpg
http://home.cfl.rr.com/gti/Benz/benz3.jpg
http://home.cfl.rr.com/gti/Benz/benz4.jpg

I too, have noticed the empty brake light socket. My question for one of the more senior menbers is "are these cars wired (in the loom) for the brake fog light?" If so, then I will go looking for the wire in the loom and aquire a socket to attach the fog brake light to my car.

Also, I would guess that there is a higher wattage brake lamp bulb for this use. Could anyone tell me the correct part number for the fog brake light bulb?

I would like to have the fog brake light option for those times I use the fog lights.

I was disappointed when I looked at my wiring at the rear, because I couldn't find any wire for the fog light. It could be there farther back in the loom, I don't know.

Any way, this is a super idea, and thanks for these great pics-I think I shall do this-OK!

Is cruise control still gonna work ?

Yes it will still work. Why would it stop working?

Because there is a myth circulating about not having the right light bulb in the socket will confuse the CC.
As I understand it, the CC computer uses the light bulb circuit as a ground??
Maybe to alert you of a bad brake light??

I've noticed for many years that, compared to other cars around me at the same time, 123's and 126's are poorly lit, especially when overtaking them in less than clear conditions. They are harder to see than other cars under the same conditions. Those two, "dinky", little tail lights do not seem to be adequate - maybe, I've gotten used to seeing so much more light from so many other cars. Because of this, several weeks ago, I "activated" the "fog" positions in the tail light assemblies on my 123 to operate as TAIL lights; 'just did the same thing to my 126 This afternoon.
I acquired a tail light lamp holder assembly from a salvage yard, removed the individual lamp holders from it and installed them in the unused "fog" positions. Wires from the "new" lamp holders are spliced into TAIL light wires near the original tail light bulbs. I now feel much better about having significantly improved rear lighting on both of my MB's - both with FOUR tail lights each using identical, original wattage bulbs.
BTW, individual lamp holders within the assemblies on 123 and 126 are identical - possibly other models, too; you don't HAVE to get a 123 lamp assembly to get holders for 126 and vice versa, etc.
Salvage yard asked me to take a lamp holder assembly from a wreck with a broken or missing lens - I did - I didn't need a lens.