Third Brake Light Housing Removal - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Rebel62 · #1 09-08-2003, 09:06 PM

Can anyone tell me how to remove the housing for the 3rd Brake light on a '97 E320. I did a search and there's a string covering an '88 190E. I'm not sure if the advice is the same - push the tabs in on the sides of the housing and pull towards the front of the car. Does this sound correct????

Herr Leber · #2 09-12-2003, 12:36 PM

Is there a w140 shop manual CD available?? I didnt see one in partsshop.

Anyone?

Herr Leber · #3 09-12-2003, 02:56 PM

I checked Alldata with no luck.

rdanz · #4 09-13-2003, 01:15 PM

Try squeezing "gently" on each side of the plastic cover facing the front of the car. The rear cover should come off easy. then slide the part with the red lens in it forward and that should come off easy as well. then look for screws mounting the light itself to the decklid and remove them, disconnect wire and thats it
Remember be careful with the plastic housing as they dry out and break very easy.
Good Luck and I hope this helps

Rebel62 · #5 09-13-2003, 08:55 PM

Thanks a lot - got it off, no problem. I changed the bulb and it still not working. I checked the fuses - all were good. Not sure what to do next, any thoughts?

haasman · #6 09-13-2003, 10:05 PM

Remove the forward portion of the third-brake light by expanding the little tabs on left and right sides. Gently here. .. ...

You will be able to slide the light assembly off its pedestal that is mounted to the rear deck cover and change the rubber gasket or whatever you need to do.

Haasman

rdanz · #7 09-14-2003, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rebel62
Thanks a lot - got it off, no problem. I changed the bulb and it still not working. I checked the fuses - all were good. Not sure what to do next, any thoughts?

Check to see if current is coming to light when brake pedal is depressed. If no current trace wire to source and check there.

Rebel62 · #8 09-14-2003, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Check to see if current is coming to light when brake pedal is depressed. If no current trace wire to source and check there.

H.
Already checked for current at the light and the terminals. No current getting to the light. Is there a fuse that I need to check that's not in the fuse box under the hood? Is there a switch that just works the 3rd brake light? Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Rebel62 · #9 09-18-2003, 05:19 PM

It worked - I got the cover off and tested the paddle contectors - no current. I took the unit that houses the lamp off and tested the conductors and got full power. It looked like the unit actually had melted a bit and the contacts on the base of the lamp housing were no longer making contact with the conductors. I bent these leads down a bit, re-assembled the unit and it works fine.

Any thoughts on why the unit was melted a bit? Short circuit somewhere? Maybe the wrong bulb throwing too much heat? Everything is working fine now.

haasman · #10 09-18-2003, 05:35 PM

Rebel62

First guess- wrong bulb wattage. I believe the maual specifies which bulb for a particular location.

Coincidently I just did the 190's rear brake light. The bulb was burned out. The assembly was just slightly melted. My guess is from the PO using the wrong wattage bulb.

Haasman