I just purchased a '92 300e 2.6 which has rear fog lights, a nice feature that my '88 260 does not have. The problem is that only the left rear fog light works. I thought the problem was a burned out bulb but when I tried to install a bulb in the holder, I found there was no electrical contact or wiring for the right fog light. The left side has a 7 pin connector with the #7 contact being for the fog light but the right side only has a 6 pin connector.

My question: Is this normal for MBZ to have one rear fog light only? The Volvo's I have owned always had two.

John

Mercedes only has one rear fog light, on the left rear position. It is not broken...

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

It's only on the driver's side of the car because it helps to see the car for passing in fog.

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2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

In my experience, this feature is more important than front fog lights. When I lived in Germany, everybody had a white light on the driver's side of the bumper.

Do new E and S class Mercedes have it?

Hand it to the Germans on some safety items. I wish the US cars came with the wiring for the rear fog and had the hazard triangle in the trunk (which is required by law along with the first aid kit). I believe that a below seat mounted fire extinguisher was also available.

It's a law in Sweden (or Scandinavia) requiring rear fog lights. They (Volvo) also invented the three-point seat belt. The Europeans have forgotten more about automotive safety than Detroit or the US Federal Government will ever know. As for the Japanese, they simply wait for the Europeans to invent and test something and then copy it. That's why the for R&D on a Lexus is next to nothing.

I simply don't understand why Mercedes doesn't collect patent rights on their safety inventions.

BTW, only Volvo and Mercedes send teams out to investigate accidents involving their products.

They did, and do. Mercedes invented, and patented the crumple zone, but choose not to enforce the patent. Huh? They decided that enforcing patents on safety devices would be detrimental to the driving public, and so they allowed any and all other car manufacturers to "steal" the technology.

This is one case of where Mercedes had the foresight and conscience to put people ahead of profits.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

and i thought all those volvo owners where driving around with their left foot on the brakes.

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g-wagen

according to a Mercedes engineer I spoke to, there is only one rear foglamp because this helps prevent other drivers from mistaking it as a brake light.

i find that rear foglamps are really a necessity in driving rain on the highway or in thick fog. To compensate, I turn on my hazard lamps in such conditions. (and I find that drivers following me follow suit)

I was planning on running a jumper wire to the right side but if the MBZ engineers designed it that way I will leave it alone.

I have really gotten used to rear fog lights on my Volvo's and actually feel unformfortable driving my 260e in fog without them. I think they probably double the visibility distance which is a big safety benefit.

Thanks,
John

Hey Bud,

Do you know where I can find out about those Mercedes accident investigators?? I remember reading about them 5-6 years ago, but can't seem to find any info about them now.

Thanks,
Matt

Hi John.

I live in the UK but imported a LHD model from Germany. Consequently the rear fog light was on the wrong side. I bought the RHS side here in the UK, and then got a local garage to wire up the connectors from the LHS over the the RHS. As all the correct bits were in the light fitting, all I had to do was put the bulb in. It took the garage about 30 mins.

The company I deal with is called Lancaster Mercedes Benz (franchised), you would need to speak to the spare parts dept. Their phone is 0044 1992 514444 and their email is mercedes@hertford.lancasterplc.com

I've given this address out to several people on the site, so they are used to getting calls from the US. Good luck.

Neil.