Just noticed that the license plate lights stay on even after you turn the ingnition off (and take the key out). Aren't these supposed to be wired to the curcuit for the lights? The only other work that was recently done was a new radio install, but I don't think that has anything to do with it. Let me know if you guys know what to check. Will have to check the wiring diagrams on the W124 repair manual CD. Also have a digital multimeter but am just not that great at troubleshooting electrical yet. Also tried searchig for "license light" and "light stays on" but got posts about different issues. Thanks for your help.

Just noticed that the license plate lights stay on even after you turn the ingnition off (and take the key out). Aren't these supposed to be wired to the curcuit for the lights? The only other work that was recently done was a new radio install, but I don't think that has anything to do with it. Let me know if you guys know what to check. Will have to check the wiring diagrams on the W124 repair manual CD. Also have a digital multimeter but am just not that great at troubleshooting electrical yet. Also tried searching for "license light" and "light stays on" but got posts about different issues. Thanks for your help.

Forgot to mention that car is a 300TE wagon. So it has a hatch instead of a trunk. Sorry for the duplicate posting above...

It is common for the wires for the rear entrance to fray and expose the conductors (Near the hinge point).
Pull the fuse for rear entrance closing assist and see if the light goes out.
Also make sure the wiring wasn't altered by a backyard expert!
Mike

A new tailgate harness is about $110 and is pretty easy to install.

On mine the third brakelite would come on when I raised the tailgate and the rear interior lights would go out.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

Which fuse is for the rear closing assist? Will peruse the W124 manual ans see if I can find it. Already replaced the two license plate light bulbs (they needed it anyway). Also am waiting for a lamp control module (LCM) to arrive. A person on a newsgroup was recommending to check the contacts for it. They looked good but will try another one. It was only $50 from a parts place on ebay. My hatch doesn't exhibit any weird lights going on and off while operating it so am hoping that its the LCM instead of the harness. We'll see.

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93 300TE, 05 Passat TDI Wagon, 94 Sentra LE

It works! Or rather it doesn't work which is good! Just powered on the car after replacing the license plate bulbs and they don't go on when the lights are off and they go on when the lights are on. I guess one or both of the old bulbs created a short? I doubt that removing and installing the LCM fixed it. I guess I won't be needing another LCM after all. The only other things I replaced were the front door light switches. The dirver side one was really bad but decided to replace the passenger one as well. They're cheap and only take 30 seconds to replace wihtout any tools.

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93 300TE, 05 Passat TDI Wagon, 94 Sentra LE

Not fixed. Was too quick to claim victory on this one. The plate lights are back on again today. Will wait for the lamp control module (LCM) and see if that does the job.

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93 300TE, 05 Passat TDI Wagon, 94 Sentra LE

Remove Fuse #C in the main fusebox, This will power down the closing assist.
Good luck
Mike

Ok, thanks Mike. Was going to take the car to an indy mechanic today, but the road conditions are pretty bad. Will probably be going tomorrow instead. Will have him check this in addition to the ASR light and limp home mode problem the car has.

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93 300TE, 05 Passat TDI Wagon, 94 Sentra LE

Watch the lights while you raise and lower the tailgate. If they blink or go out, you have a failed wiring harness.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles