Hi,

My son came home from college with his 1998 MB 190E needing an oil change, coolant flush and in need of a new left tail light. What looked to be an easy weekend project turns out to be a pain as far as the tail light bulb.

I bought the correct bulb went to change and it didn't work. Moved the good right tail light bulb and tried that, still no good. I don't know much about the electric system but I did use a test light on the socket that plugs into the tail light. Two of the six plugs in the good (right side) socket were receiving juice, but only one in the bad socket was live. I really don't know what to do from here, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Also all other lights worked (brake, turn signal etc).

Bob K

Not clear on what the problem is, but MB's have one fuse that services one side in the rear and front, and then another fuse for the other side, front and rear. Check the fuses. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Jim,
I know I rambled a bit but the bottom line is that the left tail light is out, all other lights work and the bulb is not the problem. Would there be a fuse for just the left tail light? Thanks for the quick reply.

Bob

The short answer is yes. The one side is separate from the other side and it seems you have a few bulbs dead on the left side. There are typically several light bulbs on one fuse but they are separated side to side so you don't lose all your lighting functions when one fuse goes out - the left side brake light, for example will not go out when the fuse for the right side blows. Same with the tail light. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Thanks Jim! Got up early checked the fuse and you were right, one fuse covered parking/ tail light left. Then came another glitch how to remove clear plastic fuse cover. Searched the list and found an old post of yours that solved that problem too.

Great list!

Bob