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  #1  
Old 01-06-2016, 02:17 AM
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W116 Brake Light Mod

I gave 'Desert Rose', my 1978 W116 300SD a little TLC last Saturday.


Finally, I got around to wiring in an extra brake light socket into the previously unused space on each of the tail light bulb holder assemblies.

I was inspired to do so, mainly as an additional safety measure, after reading on this forum how people had done similar mods to W123s, W126s and W124s.


Prior to the mod, from the rear mid-line to the side of the car, the lights were set up by Doktor Bert (the PO) as follows:

1) White lens, back up light, takes a 21 W bulb, bayonet style, socket present (I found out why no bulb was installed - with a bulb installed, fuse #4 blows when the gear selector is placed in the "Reverse" position - NSS or harness issue that needs to be addressed)

2) Red lens, (no light bulb or socket present – nothing wired in place) euro models are wired for a rear fog light, takes a 21 W bulb, bayonet style, socket absent

3) Red lens with clear insert, rear running light, takes a 5 W bulb, bayonet style, socket present (bulb present - Red 12 LED with resistor – no markings)

4) Red lens, brake light, takes a 21 W bulb, bayonet style, socket present (bulb present -but just failed recently - Red 12 LED with resistor – no markings)

5) Amber lens, turn signal light, takes a 21 W bulb, bayonet style, socket present (bulb present – original amber 21 W burnt out - replaced by me with a clear 21 W nickel base Dr. Fischer - Germany)

6) Red lens with clear insert, rear side marker light, takes a 5 W bulb, festoon style, socket present (bulb present – 5 W – nickel base - Germany)


The mod itself was fairly easy.

A while back, I harvested the snap-in backup light sockets from a 1977 W116 at the local yard with most of the insulated wires still attached.

I never soldered anything prior to this project.
I bought a Radio Shack soldering iron in preparation for this and future projects.
At 15 Watts, it is woefully under-powered for this task.


I have a good rapport with my independent mechanic, and he let me use his heavy-duty soldering iron at his shop.
Seeing me struggle for a bit with my first ever attempt at soldering, he stepped in and gave assistance on the first solder.
Emboldened with renewed confidence, I finished the other three connections unaided.
They even passed his tug test and did not have to be redone.


At the splice-in points, the metal terminals were removed from their plastic sockets, (positive on socket position #4) and (negative on socket position #3).
This was to keep the plastic sockets from melting or catching fire from the soldering iron when making the new connections.

The longer lower wire (positive or power terminal) of the “new” brake light socket (position #2) was soldered directly to the positive terminal of the original brake light socket (position #4).

Likewise, the short upper wire (negative or ground terminal) of the “new” brake light socket (position #2) was soldered directly to the negative terminal of the rear running light socket (position #3).



Reassembly was easy.
Reinstall the metal terminals into their plastic socket bases.
Install the sockets into their snap-in style holding clips.
Install bulbs into their sockets.

(I installed the Red 12 LED resistor bulb in socket #2, a 10W nickel base Italy bulb in socket #3, and a 21 W nickel base Dr. Fischer Germany bulb in socket #4).
(I removed the 21 W nickel base Dr. Fischer Germany bulb in socket #1 - after blowing fuse #4 twice).

Align the bulbs with the bulb wells.
Position the tail light bulb holder assembly onto the threaded mounting studs of the tail light lens assembly.
Lastly, tighten down the knurled plastic knobs onto the studs to secure the bulb holder assembly in place.



With four brake lights instead of the original two brake lights, I will be much more visible to others and safer as a result, definitely a worthwhile mod, IMHO.



Attached are photos of: the PS modded tail light bulb holder assembly, a close-up of the modded wiring connections, and some grainy nighttime shots of the four brake lights, the rear running lights alone, and all of the rear lights (brakes and rear running lights) together.

Attached Thumbnails
W116 Brake Light Mod-002.jpg   W116 Brake Light Mod-003.jpg   W116 Brake Light Mod-006.jpg   W116 Brake Light Mod-004.jpg   W116 Brake Light Mod-005.jpg  

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78 W116 300SD 'Desert Rose' new as of 01/26/2014
79 W116 300SD 'Stormcloud' RIP 04/11/2022
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  #2  
Old 01-11-2016, 10:33 AM
Doktor Bert's Avatar
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Nicely done.....
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  #3  
Old 04-25-2020, 06:17 PM
vwnate1's Avatar
Diesel Dandy
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sunny So. Cal. !
Posts: 7,717
Thumbs up Brake & Tailllamp Upgrade

I did this too ~ I've added LED's in place of all the bulbs except the brake bulbs so my cruise control still works, now I have LED brake lamps too ! .
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1982 240D 408,XXX miles
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I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better
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Old 04-25-2020, 10:58 PM
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I think I'm going to end up doing this with mine.
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DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles
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  #5  
Old 04-29-2020, 11:46 AM
vwnate1's Avatar
Diesel Dandy
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sunny So. Cal. !
Posts: 7,717
Thumbs up Brake Light Up Grade

You won't regret it .

If your C.C. is dead, use all LED's .

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1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better
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