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  #1  
Old 10-14-2000, 06:12 PM
BenzoX
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I just noticed something today that I did not see before. I popped out the cover of the taillights with the bulbs in it and found that the innermost cell which is red on the outside has no bulb on either side. Is this something that was altered for the American version of the 190's? I heard before that some euro versions have foglamps on the rear of the car that are engaged by pulling the light switch past the first stop( for the front fog lamps) to a second stop. I seriously doubt that has anything to do with the empty cell though because it is red. It seemed as though there were 6 wires however there were only 5 bulbs. Is there a way to open it up and send another wire to that cell and add another brake light or something?
Secondly, I had a thought about something. Has anyone tried using some of those custom red or blue bulbs in the factory yellow turn signal lamps or break lights to somewhat change the color at night? I figure putting blue behind amber would not give off a blue light and a blue glow at very worst. The blue mixed with red might give a purple-ish color I would think.
I sure wish I could hook up two H3 halogen bulbs in those empty cells to piss off those highbeam tailgaiting &*^%*#@$@$@#$ or at least to give other people visibility in extreme weather conditions. I look forward to what everyone has to say
Robbie :O) :}

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Rob C
89 190E 2.6
Beige

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  #2  
Old 10-14-2000, 09:12 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2000
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Robbie,

What a coincidence that you posted this question today. After owning my car for over 21 years, I noticed a couple of days ago that I have the same arrangement. A place for bulbs but no electrical hookups behind the innermost red lens.

I, too, would be most interested in learning what this is all about. Can anybody explain this to us?

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Ted
1979 240D
160,000 miles
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  #3  
Old 10-14-2000, 09:27 PM
MikeTangas's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: So. Cal
Posts: 4,430
I believe the blank sections are in fact for rear fog lights. The rear fog light is red, just brighter than regular tail lights, and on the side of the vehicle which is closest to road center (left tail for LHD, right tail for RHD). Provides increased visibility of your vehicle for other drivers coming up behind you in the fog.

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Mike Tangas
73 280 SEL 4.5

[This message has been edited by MikeTangas (edited 10-14-2000).]
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  #4  
Old 10-15-2000, 10:15 AM
BenzoX
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That's kinda what I was thinking but I wasn't too sure because it was red. I figure there would be a way to wire them in but I don't know how you would be able to control them from the dash. Maybe someone knows a good place to splice some wires to use on them. I think at very least it might be possible to add an extra running or brake light if not fog lamps. Maybe a wire can be run from the third brake light or something. If anyone has any ideas or has a euro model they can check on I'm sure a few of us would appreciate it
Robbie


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Rob C
89 190E 2.6
Beige
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  #5  
Old 10-15-2000, 01:10 PM
BenzoX
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Another thing I have seen alot of are thes 80/100 watt 9004 headlight bulbs ....are these safe to put in a 190? I have some stupid 55 or 60 watt bulbs that light up like candle. It would be nice to have a little more pep. I have also seen some xenon gas filled ones and other weird stuff on the www. Are any of these worth money and are they safe?
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  #6  
Old 10-15-2000, 01:18 PM
A. Rosich's Avatar
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As Mr. Tangas said, they are used for the rear fog lights. Most delivery countries for M.B. have the single (left or right) rear fog light, which is a regular 21 Watts clear bulb (like the used for the brake lights). It is turned on by the light switch on your instrument panel. You pull the switch one notch, the front fog lights go on. You pull the switch two notches, the rear fog light goes on as the amber light in the switch itself.

Most M.B.s in the U.S. did not come equipped with the rear fog light. Recently, they started to supply it.

In some countries, people would add the extra bulb to the opposite side where it is empty (to mimic B.M.W. setups, which have two rear fog lights). Other drivers would convert the lights to additional brakes lights (using 21W bulbs) or additional night running lights (using 12W bulbs). It's just a matter of cutting a few wires and adding the extra bulbs. Although, I would advise against it as the circuit for sensing a burn-out bulb would de altered and might cause the yellow warning light on your instrument cluster to go on at all times.

A. Rosich
E320T 1995
S320 1998
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  #7  
Old 10-15-2000, 05:36 PM
BenzoX
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Well that is very interesting. First off I noticed you mentioned the fog bulb used is the same 21W bulb the brake light uses? Basically you are saying its like having something as bright as your brakes for a running light in conditions that are harder to see than normal. I take it that a normal fog lamp bulb such as the H3 that is used in front fog lamps would be too hot for the chamber and possibly melt the tail lamp?
The socket behind the empty chamber does not have a spring plate behind it like the rest of the bulbs since it is not in use. How exactly could it be changed so to accomadate a bulb?
Now I don't think that it would be possible to hook up a system that would function off of the factory light switch. I know that there is a second stop after the fog lamps but nothing happens. I have absolutely no idea what any of the wires would go to or come from. You mentioned that there is a amber bulb that lights up when you pull it to the second stop. Is this the little round thing in the middle of the knob? Mine does not light up since I do not have that system.
I think the most I can think about doing is do a simple splice job and get another 21W bulb in the empty chambers to work in unison with the original brake lights. I believe if it is just simply spliced so that the power can run in and back out the dummy light should not go on because the power is still being returned. Thanks for the info, and anyone else who knows about it or has done the conversion please speak up!
Robbie

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Rob C
89 190E 2.6
Beige
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  #8  
Old 10-16-2000, 07:22 PM
A. Rosich's Avatar
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The rear fog lamp set-up uses 21 Watt bulbs as the rear brake lights providing the same amount of shine from behing. An H3 would definitely fry the plastic hub and lens.

Having the fog lamps on is like constantly having your brake lights on, this is what provides the additional encandence for foggy conditions. In some countries it is against the law to drive with your your rear fog lights on when there is no such condition. In my country, because tailgaters are a nightmare, almost everybody who has rear fog lights uses them on at all times at night.

I would check with your local traffic autorithy to see if you may use rear fog lights. If not, hook it up as additional brake lights (the better they see you from behind... ) Or, just as additional night driving lights (using 12W bulbs).

The problem of the spring in the empty housing can be easily solved by a car electrician. In my E320T I just ordered the housing for a right-hand drive vehicle and exchange it for mine (of course, it came with the rear fog at the opposite side).

Good luck.

A. Rosich
E320T 1995
S320 1998
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  #9  
Old 10-16-2000, 08:04 PM
BenzoX
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Interesting thoughts. I have similar thoughts that an H3 would fry my housing. However as you pointed out, tailgaters are annoying and I would love to have something to fight back with. There are rear foglights available but they are big ugly things so far as I have seen, and I do not want to spend 30-40$ on a good set of smaller lamps that I could benefit from more by using them on the front of the car. I am looking for a cheap and easy and creative alternative.
For about 12 bucks I saw a strobe kit at pep boys. It had 2 strobe bulbs and a few different colored covers for them. It also had a speed control box which they would wire into which would then be sent up to power inside and comes with a small toggle switch. These are cool for recreation and I in special circumstances such as having a moron on your tail, you could flash them real fast to piss off the guy tailing you if not making him think you are a special law enforcement vehicle. These little things would fit very easily into the empty hole. I saw a strobe at target for 10 bucks that looked like a mini third brake light with a swivel base that could be stuck in the back window and would have a good chance of scaring a tailgater...however at the risk of a cop seeing you do it.
Lastly If I was to add an extra bulb (so-called fog lamp) I don't think I would want something as wimpy as a 22W brake bulb. What fun is that? Is there anything that is a bit brighter without cooking my tail lamps?

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Rob C
89 190E 2.6
Beige
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  #10  
Old 10-16-2000, 08:35 PM
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Posts: 166
In the past, I believe there have been posts saying that if bulbs greater than the 21 watt bulb is used in the brake light position, the result could be damage to the cruise control. If this is so, couldn't wiring the blank position(s) to feed another 21 watt bulb (or two) off of the brake circuit also damage the cruise control?

Or am I confused?


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Ted
1979 240D
160,000 miles

[This message has been edited by Ted2222 (edited 10-16-2000).]
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  #11  
Old 10-16-2000, 08:44 PM
BenzoX
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I don't know exactly how the brake light works with the cruise but I could imagine that since the cruise control is canceled when you step on the brake, then possibly if you overload the brake circuit or fry something back there, then it may affect the cruise by shorting something out. But if it only applies to bulbs above 21W that are not approved by the factory then possibly we could still rig a 21W bulb as a second pair of brake lights without hurting anything. I suppose we would have to ask one of the techs here or something.

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Rob C
89 190E 2.6
Beige

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