W126 dark tail lights
 

I recently replaced some burnt bulbs in my 85 500 SEL tail lights and noticed that the inner (vertical) lenses do not have bulbs associated with them. The holding plates are stamped with holes to receive bulbs, but there is no wiring.

It seems that I would want the entire lenses to be lit during the night for better safety.

Are they supposed to be lit?
What about 560's or euro's - are they the same too?
Can I get parts to plug in and go?
If not, could I order the existing outer tail light socket assembly and splice into the original to get the full lens operating.

Danke

I think those "blanks" are for the rear fog lights. Usually only one side is lit with rear fogs, the driver's side (depends on right/left hand drive).

Yes, as stated above, those spaces are for the rear fog lights.

Mercedes-Benz only fits one rear fog-light. For a L.H.D. vehicle it would be on the left rear light assembly unit.

I think for U.S. W126s, no rear fog-light was installed.

If installed, the rear fog light uses a 21W bulb and works by pulling out two notches the light swith on the dash.

I have seen some people that wires the rear fog light to work together with the brake lights. If you wire the rear 21W fog light so it works constantly, you may create an unwanted glare to the driver behind you.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995