2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 Tail light bulb

314 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
Parking lamp
Front left
Back-up
lamp on!
The left front parking lamp is mal-
functioning. A backup bulb has
been brought into use.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Parking lamp
Front right
Back-up
lamp on!
The right front parking lamp is mal-
functioning. A backup bulb has
been brought into use.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Reverse lamp
Left
The left backup lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Reverse lamp
Right
The right backup lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Right turn signal
Mirror
The right turn signal in the side mir-
ror is malfunctioning. This message
will only appear if all light emitting
diodes have stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as possible.
Tail lamp
Left
Back-up
lamp on!
The left tail lamp is malfunctioning.
A backup bulb has been brought
into use.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.

315 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
Tail lamp
Right
Back-up
lamp on!
The right tail lamp is malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb has been
brought into use.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Turn signal
Rear left
Back-up
lamp on!
The left rear turn signal lamp is mal-
functioning. A backup bulb has
been brought into use.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal
Rear right
Back-up
lamp on!
The right rear turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A backup bulb has
been brought into use.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal
Front left
Back-up
lamp on!
The left front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A backup bulb has
been brought into use.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal
Front right
Back-up
lamp on!
The right front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A backup bulb has
been brought into use.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Visit workshop!
The display for the lights is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.

331 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp ad-
justment.
iIf the headlamps are fogged up on the
inside as a result of high humidity, driv-
ing the vehicle a distance should clear
up the fogging.
iBackup bulbs will be brought into use
when the following lamps malfunction:

Turn signal lamps


Brake lamps


Parking lamps


Tail lamps

333 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Notes on bulb replacement

Only use 12 volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center:


the additional turn signals in the exteri-
or rear view mirrors


the high mounted brake lamp


the brake lamps


the parking lamps and the side marker
lamps in the tail lamp assemblies


the rear fog lamps


the low beam (Xenon or Bi-Xenon*)
lamps


the front fog lamps
Warning!
G
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot,


drop the bulb,


scratch the bulb.
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.

335 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs

Turn locking mechanism 2 clockwise.

Plug the connector onto the bulb.

Align headlamp cover and click into
place.
Replacing parking and standing lamp
bulbs

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 253).

Press ends of headlamp cover tab to-
gether and remove cover.

Pull out the bulb socket with the bulb.

Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket.

Insert a new bulb in the socket.

Reinstall the bulb socket.

Align headlamp cover and click into
place.Replacing side marker lamp

Switch off the lights.

Carefully slide lamp towards rear.

Remove front end first.

Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.

Pull bulb out of the bulb socket.

Insert new bulb in socket.

Reinstall bulb socket, push in, and twist
clockwise.

To reinstall lamp, set rear end in
bumper and let front end snap into
place.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Tail lamp assemblies
1Backup lamp
2Turn signal lamp
3Driver’s side: Rear fog lamp
Passenger’s side: Substitute lamp
Switch off the lights.

Open the trunk lid (
page 99).

Fold trim to side and remove.

Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.
iHave the headlamp adjustment
checked regularly.