So I got 2 malfunction messages in my center console "Tail lamp left" and "Tail lamp left, back-up lamp on." Both tail lights seem fine (after removing the brake light cover from the trunk), and I replaced the brake light with a Sylvania 7225 and still the same thing. Are there any solutions?
ThatAwesome11
CURRENT: 2011 SL550 FORMER: C300, ML350, CLK550 Cabriolet, C240, ML320, 300TD
Joined
·
27,421 Posts
I's not the brake light - it's the "park" light (lower section of the lens). My recommendation is to replace all of the bulbs in both tail lights. The SAM determines if the bulbs are functioning based on current draw. I have seen a set of old bulbs cause erroneous messages. Replacing them all fixes this. And also check the bulb sockets to make sure there is no corrosion.
CURRENT: 2011 SL550 FORMER: C300, ML350, CLK550 Cabriolet, C240, ML320, 300TD
Joined
·
27,421 Posts
Check you owner's manual:
![Image]()
#8 has a single bright bulb that illuminates when the brake pedal is pressed.
#10 has three bulbs, two rear-facing, on side-facing.
If you will notice, the bulbs for #8 and the two rear-facing bulbs for #10 are P21 type, which are dual-element bulbs. Park lights are lower intensity than brake lights. So, if the #8 is the brake, and the #10 is the park lights, why do they all need two filaments for both high and low intensity? Well, it is so they can "multitask" if needed.
The rear SAM can detect when a bulb is out, and if so, it will use a different bulb to replace it. When it detects that a brake light bulb (#8 ) is not working, it will use the high-intensity filament for the park lights (#10 ). When this happens, you will get two error messages: one tells you the brake light bulb #8 is out, the other tells you the "spare" bulb (the high-intensity element of #10 ) is being used instead. Also note that #13 is listed as a rear fog light. In reality, the rear fog light is just the high-intensity filament of the inner park light (#10 ) bulb. It is activated by pulling the headlight switch out to the 2nd position (1st position is front fog lights).
#8 has a single bright bulb that illuminates when the brake pedal is pressed.
#10 has three bulbs, two rear-facing, on side-facing.
If you will notice, the bulbs for #8 and the two rear-facing bulbs for #10 are P21 type, which are dual-element bulbs. Park lights are lower intensity than brake lights. So, if the #8 is the brake, and the #10 is the park lights, why do they all need two filaments for both high and low intensity? Well, it is so they can "multitask" if needed.
The rear SAM can detect when a bulb is out, and if so, it will use a different bulb to replace it. When it detects that a brake light bulb (#8 ) is not working, it will use the high-intensity filament for the park lights (#10 ). When this happens, you will get two error messages: one tells you the brake light bulb #8 is out, the other tells you the "spare" bulb (the high-intensity element of #10 ) is being used instead. Also note that #13 is listed as a rear fog light. In reality, the rear fog light is just the high-intensity filament of the inner park light (#10 ) bulb. It is activated by pulling the headlight switch out to the 2nd position (1st position is front fog lights).
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
