2005 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS bulb

369 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
FRONT TURN SIGNAL, L
CHECK LIGHT

The left front turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
FRONT TURN SIGNAL, R
CHECK LIGHT

The right front turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
REAR TURN SIGNAL, L
CHECK LIGHT
SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The left rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A substitute bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
REAR TURN SIGNAL, R
CHECK LIGHT

SUBSTITUTE LAMP ON!
The right rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A substitute bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
MIRROR TURN SIG., L
CHECK LIGHT
The left turn signal in the side mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only ap-
pear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
MIRROR TURN SIG., R
CHECK LIGHT
The right turn signal in the side mirror is
malfunctioning. This message will only ap-
pear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter as soon as possible.

389 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing 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 or front fog lamps are
fogged up on the inside as a result of
high humidity, driving the vehicle a dis-
tance with the lights on should clear up
the fogging.
iSubstitute bulbs will be brought into
use when the following lamps malfunc-
tion:

Brake lamps


Rear parking lamps


Rear turn signal lamps


Tail lamps
Observe the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 365).

390 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsBulbs Front lamps Rear lamps
Lamp
Type
1
Additional turn signal
lamp
LED
2
Halogen headlamp:
Low beam
H7-55 W
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:
Low and high beam
1
1Vehicles with Bi-Xenon headlamps*: Low beam
and high beam use the same D2S-35W lamp. Do
not replace the Bi-Xenon bulbs yourself. See an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
D2S-35 W
3
Turn signal lamp
2357 A
4
Fog lamp
H7-55 W
5
Parking and standing
lamp
W5W
6
Side marker lamp
W5W
7
Halogen headlamp:
High beam/high beam
flasher lamp
H7-55 W
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:
High beam flasher
H7-55 W
Lamp
Type
8
Brake lamp
LED
9
Turn signal lamp
PY 21 W
a
Tail and standing lamp,
side marker
P21/4W
b
Backup lamp
P21W
c
License plate lamp
C5W
d
Tail lamp, rear fog lamp
(driver's side only)
P21/4W
e
High mounted brake
lamp
LED

391 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.


Additional turn signal lamps in the exte-
rior rear view mirrors


Bi-Xenon lamps*


High mounted brake lamp


Brake lamps


Rear side marker lamps


Rear parking lamps
Warning!
G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
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.
iHave the headlamp adjustment
checked regularly.

392 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsReplacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to M
(page 50).

Open the hood (
page 286) (except
for side marker lamps).
1Headlamp cover for fog lamp
2Headlamp cover for high beam halogen
headlamp bulb, parking and standing
lamp
3Headlamp cover for Bi-Xenon* (low and
high beam) or halogen (low beam)
headlamp bulb4Bulb socket for fog lamp
5Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp
6Electrical connector for high beam
halogen headlamp bulb
7Electrical connector for low beam
headlamp bulb
8Bulb socket for turn signal lampReplacing low beam bulbs
Bi-Xenon* headlamp
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover for the Bi-Xenon
headlamp. Because of high voltage in Xenon
lamps, it is dangerous to replace the bulb or
repair the lamp and its components. We rec-
om men d t ha t y ou ha ve s uc h w o rk do n e by a
qualified technician.

393 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Halogen headlamp
Press the tab on cover3 and remove
cover.

Pull connector7 off of the lamp.

Release the retaining springs and take
out the bulb.

Insert the new bulb in the socket so
that the base is in the recess on the
lower left.

Attach the retaining springs.

Insert connector7 into the bulb.

Press cover3 onto the housing until
the tab engages.Replacing halogen high beam bulbs

Press the tab on cover2 and remove
cover.

Pull connector 6 off of the bulb.

Apply pressure on the bulb contacts
from above until the bulb releases from
the retaining springs.

Remove bulb.

Insert the new bulb in the socket with
the marking facing upward.

Press the bulb upward on the contacts
until it engages in the retaining springs.

Insert connector6 onto the bulb.

Press cover2 onto the housing until
the tab engages.Front turn signal lamp bulb

Turn bulb socket8 counterclockwise
and pull out.

Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.

Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
twist clockwise.

Reinstall bulb socket in lamp and twist
clockwise until it engages.

394 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsParking and standing lamp bulb
Press the tab on cover2 and remove
cover.

Pull out the bulb socket5 with the
bulb.

Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket5.

Insert a new bulb in the bulb socket5.

Reinstall the bulb socket5.

Press cover2 onto the housing until
the tab engages.Side marker lamp bulb

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
Before you start to replace a bulb for a rear
lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to M
(page 50).

Open the trunk (
page 103).

395 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Tail lamp unit
1Black socket:
Backup lamp
2White socket:
Turn signal lamp
3Red socket:
Tail, standing and parking lamp
4Red socket:
Driver’s side: tail, parking and rear fog
lamp
Passenger’s side: tail and parking lamp

Turn the catch, and move the trim to
the side.

Turn bulb socket counterclockwise and
pull out.

Gently twist bulb counterclockwise and
pull out of bulb holder.

Insert new bulb into the holder and turn
it clockwise.

Reinstall bulb socket.
The bulb socket should audibly click.

Replace trim and secure with lock. License plate lamp
1Screws

Loosen both screws1.

Remove the license plate lamp.

Replace the bulb.

Reinstall the license plate lamp.

Retighten screws1.