2 Questions re: 91 500sl

[500sl]

Greetings,

I have 2 questions for anyone out there:

1) A bulb on the strip taillight (3rd brake light) thats located on the trunk seems to once and awhile go out. If I slam the trunk shut it will usually go on again (indicating loose connection?). But once I turn off the car and return, the bulb doesnt come back on (until I slam the trunk shut). How can I find the wire/connection that may be loose (SEE #1 on PHOTO)

2) This one is annoying. In my 500sl there are 2 door compartments that lock when I engage the alarm. These pockets have a flap on them that swivel up and down. Well, on the drivers side I think one side of the swivel broke off leaving the pocket door connected on only one side and hanging from the other. Theis results in a very annoying rattle when I drive the car because the one side has a broken connection or something. Or maybe its a slot that it needs to slide back into. Either way I cant tell without potentially breaking off the pocket door. How can I go about repairing this? I'm afraid that from closing and opening the swivel door, eventually the whole peice will break and detach. Please help!(SEE #2, 3, 4) PHOTOS)

Any help would be appreciated. thanks
Marwan

[tecqboy]

The hinge is held to the door frame by several plastic "studs" which break off over time. ( Well, mine did. ) You will have to dis-assemble the door inside panel to do a repair. It's a complex process and I wouldn't recommend it unless you have some experience in this area. Basically, once the door panel is apart, you drill out the broken plastic studs and replace them with metal screws. If you feel up to it, search for my instructions on dis-assembling the door panel. Tod

[allanb888]

I have experienced both of your problems in my 500sl.
The map pocket door has a strap hinge which is poorly secured to
the door trim. I removed both my door trims, drilled out the existing securing holes, and re attached the hinges to the trim panel with small nuts and bolts, and using a large washer behind the trim to spread the load.

My intermittant external light operation was fixed by carefully bending the contacts inside the light socket, and even slightly bending the outside metal of the socket. I also cleaned all the metal parts with Methylated spirits and cotton buds. Even though
my light socket seemed to be firmly seated, there obviously was
an area of poor contact. I suggest that you also exclude a broken
wire inside the insulation by moving the wires around while power is supplied to the light in question.