Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-01-2002, 09:43 AM
sunil190e-1.8's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: uk
Posts: 236
third brake light on rear windscreen window-c200

i have a c200-w202-1997 car.
can i fit a third brake light on the rear windscreen window?
Are the wiring and connectors already in place in the car or will i have to fit extra wires/connectors?

i know that the newer models -1998 onwards come with the third brake light as a standard fitting.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-01-2002, 03:58 PM
A. Rosich's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 883
I doubt the the wiring would be in place if the car wasn't ordered from the factory with the third brake light.

By 1997 year model, the third brake light was mainly only standard in the U.S. market. All other markets could have one fitted at extra cost.

Also, to achieve the "original" look, I guess you will have to order also a new rear parcel shelf.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-01-2002, 09:03 PM
blackmercedes's Avatar
Just a guy
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 3,492
Quote:
Originally posted by A. Rosich
By 1997 year model, the third brake light was mainly only standard in the U.S. market. All other markets could have one fitted at extra cost.
A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995
Canada too, but I don't know any other market. Probably going to be expensive...
__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-02-2002, 11:04 AM
A. Rosich's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 883
Oh yes, I forgot about Canada, which almost always follows the safety guidelines imposed by the U. S.

In 1995, Costa Rica also mandated that a third brake light be installed as a safety device.

Today, many other countries do require them.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-02-2002, 02:00 PM
blackmercedes's Avatar
Just a guy
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 3,492
Quote:
Originally posted by A. Rosich
Oh yes, I forgot about Canada, which almost always follows the safety guidelines imposed by the U. S.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995
In some cases, we lead the way, and others we follow. We never had mandatory passive restraints as we buckle up at something like a 90-95% rate. So no monkey-motion seatbelts for us.

The third brake light was, if memory serves, a "joint" study that was done in Canada and the US with test groups of CMHSL equipped cars. Both gov't agencies found reduced rear collisions, so we made them mandatory. Since many car makers sell in both markets, it made sense to introduce the legislation at the same time.

We didn't get rid of 5 mph bumpers like you Yanks. Still got 'em.

We have DRL's since 1990.

I don't believe airbags are mandatory, but just try selling a car without them. Of course, we may have made them mandatory by now, but for years the US made them standard, and we didn't.
__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-02-2002, 03:36 PM
yal's Avatar
yal yal is offline
Benz-smart
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York, Long Island
Posts: 2,707
Re: third brake light on rear windscreen window-c200

Quote:
Originally posted by sunil190e-1.8
i have a c200-w202-1997 car.
can i fit a third brake light on the rear windscreen window?
Are the wiring and connectors already in place in the car or will i have to fit extra wires/connectors?

i know that the newer models -1998 onwards come with the third brake light as a standard fitting.

No the wires are not there. But you can tap into the left side brake light with a wire tap like I did with my euro W124. You can also buy the complete third brake light unit from the dealer or a US junkyard. On the W201 and W124 the third brake light is held down by four round clips. All you have to do is drill 4 holes in the correct place to hold the feet of the unit. A fifth hole will be needed for the wire. Get your hands on a w202 third brake light unit to see what I mean.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-02-2002, 03:53 PM
A. Rosich's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 883
One question:

Tapping into the brake light to add a third brake would cause the light-out warning lamp at the dash to come on permanently?

I always wanted to add a rear right fog lamp into my E320T, but avoided the change since everyone suggested that this may cause the warning lamp to come on.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-02-2002, 04:49 PM
sunil190e-1.8's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: uk
Posts: 236
thank you all for your comments/suggestions.
i am now better informed and enlightened about the third brake light
this forum is a great place to share ideas!.

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:58 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page