Hey,

just bought my first MB a couple weeks ago. a 1996 c280. I absolutly love it. Just one problem...the other day my High mount brake light (the middle one) went out and the "brake light" light went on but only for a second and shut off. When i checked the bulb it did not look as if it had burned out. I know I have heard about issues with the electrical stuf on c280s and I have also heard about brake light issues. I even once saw a c280 of the same year with a fat hole burned into the red plastic cover of the highmount brake light. Has anyone had an issue similar, or any idea what could be causing this. Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks alot,
- D.

 

I had the exact same problem on my 96 C280and there's no good news. The bulb was fine the problem was theplastic assembly on the inside rearwindsheild that holds the bulb.The piece of metal inside the casing that gets makes contact with (and gets electricity to) the bulb was no good. It wasn't putting out any juice. Tried to order a new plastic thing but couldn't find the part. My mechanic got creative and made a small piece of metal to replace the bad conductor. He somehow made it fit and the light has worked for 2 yrs now. Good luck.

 

I had the big burned out hole in the tail light on my 94 c280. I replaced it with 1/8" thk red plastic and it looks ok. I kept the pattern in case I need to make another.

My guess is that the sun bleached out the plastic and makes it easier to melt. MB's don't seem to like the heat. Least mine doesn't.