1994 - 1995 Euro E500 Rear Taillight Assembly Fixing Advice Needed

[Lynch]

Hey everyone, how's it going?

Went to check out my rear taillight assembly last night to replace a broken fog light bulb, and noticed that it's not the bulb that is broken, but the bulb housing itself that is broken and needs to be fixed.

I have illustrated the problem in the photos below.

In the blue circle, you can see the working bulb housing with the metal contact plates; however, if you look at the red circle, which is the rear fog light bulb housing, you can see that the metal contact plate has been either ripped out or de-soldered by someone.

Frankly, I don't know how this happened (not sure what the previous owner did), but it is quite a mystery, and I don't see how it could possibly be broken off in the first place.

What I need help with:
I'm looking to either fix this myself with a DIY guide, find someone to fix it for me, or find out how to order an original 1994-1995 W124 Euro E500 taillights assembly, either order an OEM part or from the original supplier.

If not, perhaps someone is able to fix this if it is a difficult task, as my experience with fixing this sort of thing is lacking.

Basically, if anyone has any idea or experience with this, I would be eternally grateful if we can work out how to solve the problem.

I have also included photos of the P/N on the back of the assembly, and if anyone knows who the original supplier is (there is a logo that I cannot identify), or know of a place to order a replacement, that would really help out.

[1] Blue circle = working housing, Red circle = broken fog bulb housing, lacking the metal contact plates
http://i.imgur.com/bMBMUxW.jpg

[2] The P/N appears to be A1248202477.
http://i.imgur.com/VqDK0HY.jpg

[3] Recognize the OES manufacturer, or know of a way to order it?
http://i.imgur.com/ClTZAZI.jpg

 

[gerryvz]

I recommend just replacing the entire taillight bulb housing unit (the interior portion of the taillamp that you're holding). If you like, I saw a pristine set of US 1995 E320 taillights on a car at a local wrecking yard, but I won't be able to get there until Sunday morning to get it, if you want it. I would be happy to sell it to you for my cost (which would probably be around $20) plus shipping, if you wish. I have to go back to that yard anyway for something else, so it would be no problem to score the interior bulb housing, or the complete taillamp assembly, for you. They would be the same price as car as the yard is concerned. I almost snagged them but thought to myself that nobody on the forum needed any taillights at the moment...

 

[DerFuror]

There is only supposed to be one rear foglight (on driver's side). Not intended / doesn't exist on passenger side.

 

[Lynch]

I recommend just replacing the entire taillight bulb housing unit (the interior portion of the taillamp that you're holding). If you like, I saw a pristine set of US 1995 E320 taillights on a car at a local wrecking yard, but I won't be able to get there until Sunday morning to get it, if you want it. I would be happy to sell it to you for my cost (which would probably be around $20) plus shipping, if you wish. I have to go back to that yard anyway for something else, so it would be no problem to score the interior bulb housing, or the complete taillamp assembly, for you. They would be the same price as car as the yard is concerned. I almost snagged them but thought to myself that nobody on the forum needed any taillights at the moment...

I've sent a PM!

There is only supposed to be one rear foglight (on driver's side). Not intended / doesn't exist on passenger side.

This is very peculiar! I would not have known if you didn't point it out, thank you.

Do you know if all W124 only had one side of fogs, or do some specific models have both? For some reason, I recall seeing photos of some W124 models that had the rear fogs on both ends, but I may be wrong.

 

[bing]

Only one side! And AFAIK all Mercedes models only fit one rear fog light to this day.

Anything else is aftermaket mod.

 

[DerFuror]

Over here in the USSA, one operational rear foglight alone could draw the attention of a bored cop. Two operational rear foglights could be misconstrued as brake lights stuck in the "ON" position or the driver riding the brakes forever.

 

[gerryvz]

Only one side -- the driver's side.

And this feature was disabled on US cars up until about the 1991 model year. My 1989 560SEC has the rear fog disabled. It should be enabled on all North American spec E500Es.

 

[Klink]

I am normally relatively calm behind the wheel. Carelessly, or even deliberately cut me off, and I couldn't care less. Do anything you want to other than deliberately aim your car at me or mine and accelerate, and I really don't care. Whatever gets done to me, I guarantee you I have accidentally done to someone else at some point in time.
BUT, every time I am following some pinhead at night with his rear fog light on making his car look like it's broke, and blinding everybody behind him, I wish I had a flamethrower and a bazooka! All of this is because the damn rear fog light is NOT for driving in the fog! It is not for driving at night, ever!
The rear fog light is there for fog that is so bad, you actually pull over and stop driving! It is there to keep people that are dumber than you and want to keep driving, or people in emergency vehicles on their way to try to save the lives of those people dumber than you that did keep on driving from plowing you in the left rear corner of your ass! In the daylight!
Turn the damn things off already! Just the fact that your vehicle is moving, is proof that you should not have it on!
Obviously, it illuminates the other side of the vehicle in all those nations drive on the incorrect side of the road...

 

[gerryvz]

Wow! I'm reeling from that rant!





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[Klink]

Wow! I'm reeling from that rant!





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[maw1124]

Wow! I'm reeling from that rant!

But it was so perfect...

maw

 

[sheward]

Klink. May I add the folks who put their flashers on in the rain, blinding me and making their intentions to change lanes a complete surprise? Even the media advocates this.

Interesting, the difference in the bulb housings.

drew

 

[Klink]

Klink. May I add the folks who put their flashers on in the rain, blinding me and making their intentions to change lanes a complete surprise? Even the media advocates this.

Interesting, the difference in the bulb housings.

drew

Yes, absolutely! Let's add them.

 

[bing]

I am normally relatively calm behind the wheel. Carelessly, or even deliberately cut me off, and I couldn't care less. Do anything you want to other than deliberately aim your car at me or mine and accelerate, and I really don't care. Whatever gets done to me, I guarantee you I have accidentally done to someone else at some point in time.
BUT, every time I am following some pinhead at night with his rear fog light on making his car look like it's broke, and blinding everybody behind him, I wish I had a flamethrower and a bazooka! All of this is because the damn rear fog light is NOT for driving in the fog! It is not for driving at night ever, anytime!
The rear fog light is there for fog that is so bad, you actually pull over and stop driving! It is there to keep people that are dumber than you and want to keep driving, or people in emergency vehicles on their way to try to save the lives of those people dumber than you that did keep on driving from plowing you in the left rear corner of your ass! In the daylight!
Turn the damn things off already! Just the fact that your vehicle is moving, is proof that you should not have it on!
Obviously, it illuminates the other side of the vehicle in all those nations drive on the incorrect side of the road...

Oh and drivers that switch them on when raining, annoying as hell! Bloody watching too much F1 racing me think.