MB uses a sleeve in the female part of the connector. They can split, and fail to make good contact.

You should have voltage at the connector -- if not, either the switch is bad, or the wire between the right and left taillights is broken.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!