97 E300 fog light wiring - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

spark3542 · #1 10-12-2009, 07:42 AM

The right fog light went out on my 97 E300...and gives me a "lamp defective" when I turn on fog lights.

Went to change the bulb and determined that the bulb is fine. Wiggling wires near the foglight didn't get it to light either.

The "star" CD is woefully inadequate in helping me trace wires. There seems to be a single fuse for fog lights at the driver's side dashboard fusebox.

Any words of wisdom on how to hunt this down? Has anyone experienced a similar loss-of-foglight when it wasn't the bulb?

Thanks

spark3542 · #2 10-14-2009, 09:50 PM

Bump.

Anyone?

e300D97 · #3 10-15-2009, 08:32 AM

I am having the same issue. It appears as though my issue is in the plug to the foglight. I bought a new plug and pins to rewire the plug. i did find a TSB related to Inoperative foglights. It refers to a repair kit for the wiring due to corrosion. 000-540-21-05 is the part number. Here is the TSB

michakaveli · #4 10-16-2009, 10:41 AM

Thanks!

spark3542 · #5 10-17-2009, 09:01 PM

To follow up:

Sure enough, it was a corroded wire right at the bushing into the foglight assembly. Some replacement wiring and it's good as new

Thanks for the help.

e300D97 · #6 10-19-2009, 11:57 AM

Great to hear, glad it worked out.

jmbeam · #7 01-19-2010, 10:38 PM

Hello , both the fog lights on my 1997 E300D do not work and i get the error message that the lamp is defective. I discovered that the lights work but that the wire connector corroded right off. Where can I get the same connector so that I can reattach the wires to the fog lamp.The connector on the lamp itself looks fine, its the male end that now only has two separate wire ends. I need the male connector so that I can snap it into the the other end on the actual fog lamp. Thanks

e300D97 · #8 01-20-2010, 12:23 AM

I dont have have the parts list with me, but ended up cutting the wires and splicing, as the connector was so corroded I couldnt salvage the female end. sign up for a free account at electronics parts catalog, you can pull the part numbers there.

jmbeam · #9 01-20-2010, 10:29 AM

Whicj electronics parts catalog? I dont even know what the mail part of this wire should look like? Like I said previously the plastic connector where the male parts snaps into is fine I just need the male end since the ends had corroded off.

jmbeam · #10 01-20-2010, 11:50 AM

I see now that the male part is only a mettalic stud that pushes into the female part of the connector. Does anyone have any tips on how to protect this connection from corroding again in the future? Besides waterproof grease?

jmbeam · #11 01-20-2010, 02:49 PM

I called MB parts and they said I needed to purchase a new harness or Fog light. Christ all I need is the two stud connectors that go into the female end! I tried different Auto parts stores without success. This is so irritating I feel like kicking the lights out the garage. I am definitely not used to GErman engineering and the draining of ones wallet anytime something simple needs to be replaced!

michakaveli · #12 01-20-2010, 02:52 PM

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but not every car is perfect, German or not. The w210 sure has it's faults and can at times be a heavy weight on the wallet. Overall this is something that you can fix on your own. Easiest this to do is to re-wire it yourself. Get yourself some generic wire connectors and go that route. fill any gaps with silicone and your're done.

jmbeam · #13 01-20-2010, 03:20 PM

Its just frustration on my part. Have been trying for the third day to get the last glow plug out of this vehicle. It is in like concrete and dont want to sheer it off.So I keep moving it back and forth spraying PB blaster and heating it. Then when I contact MB parts the person is the biggest drip you would ever want to speak to.He speaks in monotone and is a nasty SOB. How they have people like this working in areas where there is customer interactment is beyond me.

michakaveli · #14 01-20-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmbeam

Then when I contact MB parts the person is the biggest drip you would ever want to speak to.He speaks in monotone and is a nasty SOB. How they have people like this working in areas where there is customer interactment is beyond me.

I have to agree with you. I don't understand how the representatives at the parts counter are jsut plain rude, as if you are bothering them looking to spend money. I understand that every dealer is a franchise or independently owned/operated, but you would thing you would have decent people behind the parts counter. A simple, "Hello, how can I help you"... would work. God forbid if you need help looking for a part with them on their computer screen. They always ask for the VIN. For the LOVE of GOD, f*(% off with the VIN. If I know the chassis, model and general area of the part I need, then PULL IT UP and stop flapping your ignorant gums...

Sorry, baby rant. Over.

Jeremy5848 · #15 01-20-2010, 04:50 PM

I understand and have occasionally shared your frustration. I've always felt that the dealer's parts counter was "on the wrong side of the tracks" because
(a) people who buy parts and do their own service aren't patronizing the dealer's mechanics (remember that the markup on the mechanic's time is usually 100% while parts are marked up 10-50% and cars are marked up 5-10% -- YMMV, of course);
(b) people who fix old cars are less likely to buy new cars. All of this cuts into the dealer's income so I can understand why we DIY'ers may be less than welcome.

In any case, the parts people ask for your car's VIN for these reasons:
(1) that's how they've been trained;
(2) they use the same EPC that you can use for free here and EPC starts by asking for the VIN;
(3) there are (rarely) mid-model parts changes and the catalog separates them by VIN - - "before VIN # this" and "after VIN # that." Knowing your VIN means they will get the right part. Horror stories abound.

In the specific case of the W210 fog lights, unfortunately the design did not allow for connector corrosion. You either replace the light fixture and the wiring harness or you scab your own spade connectors onto the wires and the fixture. This is a design flaw that fits in nicely with the "environmentally friendly" wire insulation that falls apart after ten years or so. My '96 E300D has not yet had this problem but I'll keep your experiences in mind. It isn't the fault of the parts guys so give 'em a break.

OTOH, there is no excuse for rudeness on either side of the counter. The dealer really should take the lead but you have to be willing to work with them. I started my good relationship with the local dealer by getting a free subscription to EPC [yes, it asks for a credit card number but that's only so they can confirm your USA residency -- EPC is free to US residents only].

When I go into the dealer, I bring along a printout of the picture and the parts list from EPC and highlight what I want. "Gimme that part," I say. The printout automatically includes my VIN (and I also carry it in my wallet). Over the months, now becoming years, I have made friends with the parts guys as well as the cashier girls, who are cute as well as intelligent. One of the parts guys told me that they like working with me compared to some other customers because when I come in, I'm prepared and it saves us both time. So it can be done, you just have to play by the rules.

Jeremy