W124 owners - how many times have you LOST your corner lights? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

zu! · #1 05-18-2016, 11:55 PM

AAAARGGHH!!! Is there some kind of little goblin in the engine bay pushing them out?

When I first got my 87 300TD, I cracked first the left, then the right lens tabs. Ok. They're old I thought. Then one dark morning on the way to work, I heard a clunk like something hit my car, then a crunch as my rear tires rolled over it. When I got to work, I noticed the left one gone.

Now the lens is expensive enough, but wait till you find out the price of the bloody bulb holder!!

Well just now, I was on the way somewhere. It was still light out, and I saw exactly what happened: the lamp literally exploded outwards, flew off and narrowly missed the car behind me.

To top it off, I noticed the (new) right side has a crack in it. Like it took a solid hit with a stone.

What gives? Is there some kind of air pressure inside the engine compartment that blows these things out at high speed?

I just can't stop sighing in disappointment.

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Shortsguy1 · #2 05-19-2016, 12:44 AM

The first week that I owned my 87TD, I noticed while on the freeway that one of my corner lights had fallen out and was hanging by the wire. I was able to get off the freeway before losing it entirely. The clip was broken at some previous point, but I was unaware since I had just bought the car.

I taped it in with strong duct tape (from the engine side), but that failed soon after. It is a bit of a bodge, but I also taped the wires to the bulb holder/base, which saved my corner light from destruction when it dislodged once. I bet you are right about the air pressure in the engine compartment pushing them out if their clips are broken.

As an aside, very recently I was fixing a headlight and had the corner light out. I was surprised how difficult it was to get everything lined up correctly for the anchoring clip to correctly engage. Perhaps some of the problem is just getting them installed correctly.

Anyway, I suspect your experiences are pretty common. Sorry for the hassle.

tjts1 · #3 05-19-2016, 12:51 AM

4 so far. I haven't paid more than $12 for a replacement at the junkyard.

zu! · #4 05-19-2016, 01:22 AM

$12!! Geez sometimes I wish I lived in the USA...if only for the junkyards lol!! In Canada, junkyards think like leeches and everyone is a host...and besides nobody has Mercedes anyway.

No, I paid $40+ for the signal assembly, and the only place to get the bulb holder was at the dealer...and even the parts guy at the dealer gasped when he found out how much the bloody bulb holder cost: $90+!!!

Fortunately, my independent parts man knew somebody who had a used one for sale. $15. Just for the lousy bulb holder.

I'm tempted to buy the one on eBay that has a pair for less than $50 a pair...complete with bulb holders. And then I'm going to wire the damn things with bale wire and attach them to something inside.

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renaissanceman · #5 05-19-2016, 02:26 AM

My left one was broken when I bought the car, so I put a set of the clear ones from Taiwan in.

Shortly afterwards one jumped ship, so I ordered a new set from the same source, as well as a bulb holder (I think it was $8 US...). I bent the bracket out a bit for better engagement with the light clips.

Both now have safety zip-ties so if they jump out again, they will get caught.

renaissanceman · #6 05-19-2016, 02:30 AM

just get one of these:

Mercedes E Class W124 1985 1995 Amber Corner Lights Lamps Turn Signals Pair | eBay

Corner Lights Turn Signals Pair Left Right Mercedes W124 1986 1995 | eBay

Deplore · #7 05-19-2016, 03:15 AM

I was always wondering why W124's in my area always had differently colored corner lights...some had amber, clear, others had clear/clear and others had bright red amber and other faded orange, or all sort of combination. Some even had missing corners.

Learn something new everyday.....lol.

MBeige · #8 05-19-2016, 03:16 AM

I have not had any of these fall off in the 300D and former 300TE or 190E's we owned.

When installing, are you inserting the tabs into their slots on the headlight assembly?

pwogaman · #9 05-19-2016, 03:54 AM

I have lost a couple. Replacements run about $15 at local pick and pulls.

jay_bob · #10 05-19-2016, 06:50 AM

Also because of the Daimler - Freightliner marriage the exact same turn signals are used on some Freightliner cabs...

zu! · #11 05-19-2016, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renaissanceman

My left one was broken when I bought the car, so I put a set of the clear ones from Taiwan in.

Shortly afterwards one jumped ship, so I ordered a new set from the same source, as well as a bulb holder (I think it was $8 US...). I bent the bracket out a bit for better engagement with the light clips.

Both now have safety zip-ties so if they jump out again, they will get caught.

Hahaaa...I knew it! These buggers just wanna jump ship! So, I'm not the only one. I have to say, it's a tight fit and when I press it in, there's absolutely no indication that this thing will jump ship...its tight in there. And yet, it happens.

I like the idea of tying it in. This must be the first car I've ever owned where I've changed out the signal lamps so many times, because the bloody entire housing decides to escape!

That 2nd link you posted, I already sent an email asking them to confirm if it will fit my Benz and also give me a shipping quote to Canada. They're in Latvia, so I guess I'll be using hand signals for awhile.

MBeige, I push the housing in until I hear a click, then I push some more until I hear it click again. I'm afraid if I push any more, I might break the lamp. What's your secret?

jaybob, all the ones I've lost, flew out on me at high speed on the highway. I can't imagine how they'd steal it without opening the hood and having children's hands that can squeeze between the ABS unit and the body to get at the tabs. And yet...they can jump ship all by themselves.

zu! · #12 05-19-2016, 11:15 AM

Can anyone be so kind as to tell me what the part number is for the corner lamp housing?

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MBeige · #13 05-22-2016, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zu!

MBeige, I push the housing in until I hear a click, then I push some more until I hear it click again. I'm afraid if I push any more, I might break the lamp. What's your secret?

I don't know if it's a "secret" or not but I always ensure the lens sits flush with the fender and headlamp, and make sure the lines flow smoothly. I adjust the headlamp assembly if it's too far in (after making sure the corner lens is in properly). This way, the leading edge does not allow any air to push it "out".

On my w123 and former w201, there is no "click" - instead, I adjust it all the way in and tighten with the knob. The w201 has an adjustment for allowing the rear edge to sit flush with the fender. Forgot if it's the same with the w124.

gatorblue92 · #14 05-22-2016, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renaissanceman

just get one of these:

Mercedes E Class W124 1985 1995 Amber Corner Lights Lamps Turn Signals Pair | eBay

Corner Lights Turn Signals Pair Left Right Mercedes W124 1986 1995 | eBay

Funny you post the first set because thats the only one I have ever had an issue with. I had one pop out driving on a concrete road and I guess the expansion joints were rough enough to cause it to pop off and fly off. I heard it happen but didn't realize what it was until I hot home.

t walgamuth · #15 05-22-2016, 03:44 PM

The outer lense popped off on my nice 95. I have a new one in a box but have not taken the time to install it.