Right hand side tail light , brown , earth wire on my 2007 c class has melted, along with the plug. After a quick google search I have found this is a very common design fault, occasionally ending in flames.
Seems to be not a case of if this will happen but when.
Not mine but looks identical.
The answer appears to be to add an additional earth wire directly to the earth plate, which I think I will do both sides once MB have replaced wiring under warranty. :) maybe wish full thinking , but given MB knew exactly what I was talking about and my google search, it's a known fault .
Check your tail light wiring w204 owners. :)
There is no recall for this faulty design in the C-Class marketed here in Australia. I have been writing to MB in Aus and got nowhere. They (MB Australia) are not interested to help with this problem.
I've had both of mine replaced , no charge by the dealer , but with the same plugs.
One earth wire of the same gauge as four/six live wires is a design fault , recalling it in America , replacing it gratis as they fail in Australia doesn't fix the root problem.
They need an extra earth wire added to prevent it happening again when the plug ages.
It needs the light housing removing ,a hole drilling through the earth on the circuit board, a small nut and bolt, a length of chunky wire to the factory earth stud and a couple of crimp fittings.
"lemon" laws in the US assist vehicle owners in achieving recalls, as Manufacturers get a real bad rap for safety issues.
Over here in Australia, the consumer watchdog's don't give a rat's arse, and vehicle manufacturers can do whatever the hell they like, and there will be no recall...
The only way to fix this attitude is to repetitively smash them in social media, until it forces a change in the way auto industry in australia behaves towards consumers.
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Yes, it's like it or lump it. My 2-1/2 yr old Fiesta developed a bearing noise at idle/crawl. Dealer says there's a recall due to leaking seal and they're only replacing one a week, so that's a two month wait. What if I drive it and it causes other damage? So 2 months sitting in the garage.
Sorry, venting.
Keeping it Benz related, the upside is more time in the SLC.
Emad, TheMadRacoon
1975 350SLC Astral Silver (725) / Blue (2012 - 2019.... an under-rated car)
1988 190E Deep Blue (900) / Cream (2006, 190,000 km - 2007, ~ 215,000 km .... FSH and still spent big $$$)
1974 280E Reed Green (860) / Bone (1993, 316,700 km - 2004, ~490,000 km and still A1)
My C class wagon has the same fault. They have added a thicker blue ground wire as a temp measure, Mercedes Benz New Zealand just say there is no safety recall, i say they should contact Mercedes Benz with the photos i sent as it is identical to the USA Safety Recall. I do not see how the same fault in one country is a safety recall yet in another they say its not. thats just plain stupid.
Repair carried out today - Dealer did repair at no cost due to valued customer. - Great on them.
our 09 C220CDI got RHS rear taillight being replaced in 2014 or 15. but i ask for the left one this year, but they didnt really want to do it. they just said its ok, being checked. but i cant pull the plug out. so i am assuming the socket melted inside by now.
we had our 08/09 RHS taillight replaced under warranty, but the LHS remained unchanged. the stealership said it doesn't matter even though the connector melted and can't unplug. so i can only attach an extra grounding wired onto each taillight. someone shared the method on internet before.
There’s a YouTube video detailing the procedure.
It has been posted by a WA W204 owner.
If you do a search you might be able to find it.
Pretty simple fix if you are handy with the soldering iron.
All W204’s need doing. As mentioned above MBA and the authorities don’t give a rats arse about this problem even though subjected to a compulsory recall overseas
