I cannot get the left license plate light to turn on... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JordaanDMC-12 · #1 01-10-2010, 03:59 PM

Hey all,

Well this has been an issue since we got the car but I've been trying to figure out why this darn thing won't turn on. I've checked the wire up to where it disappears into the harness and everything looks good, the fuse looks okay although I should probably change it out. It's not the actual little unit as I switched with the other one that comes on and I get nothing. Has anyone had this problem before? It's making my lightbulb warning light come on at night and I would very much like that to go away. After almost a very close call with a black widow that came out from behind the gas tank I still just can't figure out why it won't turn on. Any suggestions?

Also, all the cabin dash lights will not come on now... When we fixed the rheostat everything came back to life but one night they flickered and then never came back on, although the instrument cluster lights come on as they should. I checked the fuse for this also and it looks good.. What the hell?! lol

pawoSD · #2 01-10-2010, 05:38 PM

I have the same issue on our 300E....good bulbs, all fuses replaced, no license plate lights....haven't looked into it much further though....its 13F outside!

JordaanDMC-12 · #3 01-10-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I have the same issue on our 300E....good bulbs, all fuses replaced, no license plate lights....haven't looked into it much further though....its 13F outside!

Glad it's not just mine, well let me know what you find when it warms up a bit! wow 13oF wish I was there (really, no joke) lol

It's "winter" here and I had to run the a/c in the car on the way to the junkyard...

Cal Learner · #4 01-11-2010, 09:06 AM

When you say that the fuse looks OK, are you including the fuse in the instrument cluster as well as the fuse in the main fuse box under the hood?

JordaanDMC-12 · #5 01-11-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal Learner

When you say that the fuse looks OK, are you including the fuse in the instrument cluster as well as the fuse in the main fuse box under the hood?

I actually removed the instrument cluster early this morning to clean because it's very dusty and nasty inside and the little red fuse in the back is in fact burnt out. Which I believe is why the rest of the dash lights won't come on, but even when they were on the left licensee plate light would still not light up.

It's the weirdest little fuse, I'm guessing that's going to have to be a Mercedes dealer thing and it SHOULD NOT be that expensive, a dollar at most because it's so freakin tiny.

pawoSD · #6 01-11-2010, 07:28 PM

You said just the left light? I think they are both on the same fuse. As for my 300E, neither of them work, and there is no power at the sockets....probably a broken wire in the trunk somewhere.

JordaanDMC-12 · #7 01-11-2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

You said just the left light? I think they are both on the same fuse. As for my 300E, neither of them work, and there is no power at the sockets....probably a broken wire in the trunk somewhere.

Yeah, it's just the left light, I tried following the wire in the trunk but bumped into a black widow that popped out from behind the gas tank lol

I want to follow the wire, but it disappears into the wiring harness so I guess I have to open up the harness and just follow the wire? I check the grounds and they look good.

compu_85 · #8 01-11-2010, 08:41 PM

Each lamp probably has its own wire going back to the lamp failure "relay".

-Jason

JordaanDMC-12 · #9 01-11-2010, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

Each lamp probably has its own wire going back to the lamp failure "relay".

-Jason

So I pretty much need to follow the wire up until the relay then? See if there are any breaks in it?

compu_85 · #10 01-11-2010, 08:47 PM

That would be my suggestion

I would start by looking at the wire where it bends as the trunk lid is opened or closed.

JordaanDMC-12 · #11 01-11-2010, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

That would be my suggestion

And a fine one it is, thanks! Just hope there are no more left behind black widows from the PO...

Cal Learner · #12 01-12-2010, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JordaanDMC-12

...It's the weirdest little fuse, I'm guessing that's going to have to be a Mercedes dealer thing and it SHOULD NOT be that expensive, a dollar at most because it's so freakin tiny.

$5.75

JordaanDMC-12 · #13 01-12-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal Learner

$5.75

Awesome, thanks!!