W251 brake bulb

[mioba]

So I have a rear brake bulb out (tailgate, not 3rd) on my W251. One would think they would make it an easy change....oh no.

Its not a run of the mill bulb that one can just push, turn and replace, its a complete holder including bulb that needs replacing apparently.

A2515400066 is the pn, 33 pounds from MB, lots of questionable chinese versions on the bay.

Anyone have any experience.

@LostKiwi this is of interest for you.

 

[EmilysDad]

All the bulbs at the back of my R Class were fitted to a holder that were a half turn into the tail light. Two types, one for the stop/tail & rear fog (single filament bulb that used magic) and another for the yellow turn lamps. Mine was the pre-facelift 07 plate

 

[EmilysDad]

there's only the high level stop/brake light in the tail gate and number plate lights .... all others are in the tail lights

 

[mioba]

All the bulbs at the back of my R Class were fitted to a holder that were a half turn into the tail light. Two types, one for the stop/tail & rear fog (single filament bulb that used magic) and another for the yellow turn lamps. Mine was the pre-facelift 07 plate

Lucky you indeed. I had seen on MB parts katalog pre face lift was more old school lets say.

 

[mioba]

Apologies I meant tail lights

Thanks for the reply, as you know I do like MB parts, but for 33 notes for a brake light bulb in a plastic holder,,,,yuck

 

[EmilysDad]

Apologies I meant tail lights

Thanks for the reply, as you know I do like MB parts for 33 notes for a brake light,,,,yuck

so do you have an led 'bulb' for each stop/tail & fog light?

 

[mioba]

so do you have an led 'bulb' for each stop/tail & fog light?

Unfortunately yes, the gripe is the bulb is part of a holder and despite all the searching seems not available separate.

 

[EmilysDad]

the design of mine wasn't the best either. The bulbs were powered up by a metal 'circuit board' and was part of the tail light. On mine, the bulb holder had obviously at some time previously arced on the track and burnt it, so if you turned the bulb holder fully, you got stop/tail light problems so mine were just backed off a little. On previous Vauxhalls I've had, the bulbs were fitted to a separate holder that clipped into the back of the tail light, so if you had the same problem, it was a cheap repair. Merc would have you replace the whole tail light. £££££££££s

 

[EmilysDad]

Unfortunately yes, the gripe is the bulb is part of a holder and despite all the searching seems not available separate.

Crafty barstewards!

 

[mioba]

So to update the thread and for those interested.

Got new bulb from mercedes for the tail light brakes 31 (each)....got a spare.

Note mb EPC lists a normal halogen bulb as brake light bulb, this is not correct - i had to tell the dealer what was right and show him till he agreed. You need the part called holder (it comes with a bulb and is the pn above).

So I seen some info on mbworld on this issue and followed the procedure. But in retrospect it can be done with the entire lamp in place if you have thin fingers as opposed to sausages and are very elastic (love working on the w251)

3 nuts hold the lamp in. Removed with 8mm spanner. Disconnect all wires and lamp on an the dining table.

in the pic the offending bulb (circled) is held in by a torx and a clip, removing the torx and unclipping the bulb and holder can be spun and twisted out.

installed in reverse.

I took the old bulb and holder out, the bulb is soldered into the holder and the prongs - so an expensive bulb.

hope it helps someone