Ouch....but recovered

**SLKCop** · 05-11-2008

Ok, so I'm driving the freeway yesterday and a piece of road debris hits my right front quarter panel and I just know something's wrong when my warning light indicating a light failure turns on.

I pull over and notice that my brand new [2 weeks ago] clear side-marker light is gone and the wiring is hanging out of the hole and the light bulb is completely gone.

I really liked the look of the clear side-markers, but until I get a chance to order another set [since I can't just get the passenger side] , I thought I'd paint my amber side-markers black to match the body and re-install them to see how it looked.

I'm actually quite pleased with the look. What do ya'll think? Here's a before and after pic.

mtiede · 05-11-2008

Sorry to hear about the road debris. I think the clear marker looks(ed) great!

Bill T · 05-11-2008

I got chased down by a renagade hubcap at 80mph on I-95, I changed lanes it change lanes till it got me

**alroumi** · 05-12-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill T

I got chased down by a renagade hubcap at 80mph on I-95, I changed lanes it change lanes till it got me

I was faced in a similar situation changed lanes and hit the car behind me on its windshield.

**etyu** · 05-13-2008

The painted side markers make the R170 look "European" (i.e., Euro Spec). Does the amber light shine through the black paint? or is it very subdued?

Clear side marker or painted black, they both look good. I use the PIAA Plasma Ion Wedge 5W lamp on mine and it lights up yellow instead of amber, just to look different.

**SLKCop** · 05-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by etyu

The painted side markers make the R170 look "European" (i.e., Euro Spec). Does the amber light shine through the black paint? or is it very subdued?

I used a gloss black spray paint that said it was formulated specifically for painting plastics. I was concerned about the light bleeding through the side-markers, so I also painted the bulbs so that no light shines though the side-markers at all.

I couldn't just leave the bulbs out due to the warning light on the instrument cluster coming on when the bulb is removed/not working properly.

Oh, and one more thing, I need to locate a replacement for the piece of plastic that actually holds the bulb because it broke the lens was forced out by the road debris. It will no longer twist into the socket on the lens. Anyone know if this part can be purchased from MB?

Mike

**Ynot** · 05-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by etyu

Clear side marker or painted black, they both look good. I use the PIAA Plasma Ion Wedge 5W lamp on mine and it lights up yellow instead of amber, just to look different.

x2, I think they look equally as nice, cleared or painted, just not amber like OEM.

**DesignoSLK** · 05-20-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLKCop

... I couldn't just leave the bulbs out due to the warning light on the instrument cluster coming on when the bulb is removed/not working properly. ...

Mike

You could leave the bulb out and fasten a resister in its place. Say 2Ω 4w. Just double check the resistance of the OEM bulb, but 4 watts is what a standard type 1157 bulb draws.

Just a suggestion.

**SLKCop** · 05-20-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesignoSLK

You could leave the bulb out and fasten a resister in its place. Say 2Ω 4w. Just double check the resistance of the OEM bulb, but 4 watts is what a standard type 1157 bulb draws.

Just a suggestion.

That sounds interesting, but I'm afraid you lost me. Would it be something I plug into where the bulb would normally go? The bulbs have a "168" imprinted on the side, so I guess that's the size?

Thanks.

Mike

**etyu** · 05-21-2008

168 refers to the wedge 5W bulb. 194 type light bulbs will also fit.

**SLKCop** · 05-21-2008

Thanks Eddy, Kevin mentioned putting a 'resister' in place of the bulb because I don't need the bulb to light up. I'm confused about the resister; is this something I can get at my local parts store?

Mike

**etyu** · 05-21-2008

Noregrets4life is the expert on the resistors.
They do get hot, so it needs to be isolated and insulated from other parts.
This is mainly to prevent the on board computer telling you that the bulbs/lamps are not functioning.
Some soldering involved. I think just painting the bulbs black is the simplest way to go.

**SLKCop** · 05-22-2008

Thanks... I actually just ordered a new set of the clear lenses, so I'll be back to those soon.

Mike

**DesignoSLK** · 05-25-2008

Hey Mike!

I wasn't ignoring you. I've been out of the loop the last week, had a church leadership conference to go to.

Eddy is right, it would require some soldering, it isn't anything you'd find at an automotive parts store per say. And he's also correct about the wattage rating being high enough not to cause any thermal damage. That's why I suggested 4w based on the formula for voltage/current flow and the bulb rating.

But your plan sounds like it will work best for you, I'm just a geek when it comes to electrical/electronic modifications to accomplish something...occupational hazard. (I'm an electronic technician.)

**SLKCop** · 05-26-2008

Hey Kevin, no problem... After looking at the black lenses for the last couple of weeks, I began missing the look of the clear lenses, so that's why I got another set and installed them. The black looked good, but I do think the clear looks better.

Sounded like a good idea, though, with the resister and I would've sought your advice more had I planned on leaving the black lenses on. Thanks!

Mike

**V8SLK** · 05-30-2008

good call on going back to the clears... you wouldn't want to give the local cops any easy P/C to pull you over...

(and the clears really do look a lot better IMHO)

**SLKCop** · 05-31-2008

Thanks, Scott. I agree. I'm really liking the clear lenses.

No PC though for a stop here in Texas without the side-markers. They are allowed, but not required.

Mike

05-11-2008	#3 (permalink)
Bill T Banned For Life.... Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South Florida, USA Vehicle: Porsche Turbo Posts: 1,170 Country: Thanks: 11 Thanked 111 Times in 28 Posts	I got chased down by a renagade hubcap at 80mph on I-95, I changed lanes it change lanes till it got me __________________ If it needs instructions, there's room for improvement. I give users what they actually want, not what they say they want. And whatever I do, I will not give them new features just because other benz sites have them! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-13-2008	#5 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 4,543 Country: Thanks: 148 Thanked 84 Times in 50 Posts	The painted side markers make the R170 look "European" (i.e., Euro Spec). Does the amber light shine through the black paint? or is it very subdued? Clear side marker or painted black, they both look good. I use the PIAA Plasma Ion Wedge 5W lamp on mine and it lights up yellow instead of amber, just to look different. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters *Mod. R170 ant., EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, HyperWhite license plate lamps ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* Scott).

05-21-2008	#10 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 4,543 Country: Thanks: 148 Thanked 84 Times in 50 Posts	168 refers to the wedge 5W bulb. 194 type light bulbs will also fit. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters *Mod. R170 ant., EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, HyperWhite license plate lamps ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* Scott).

05-21-2008	#12 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 4,543 Country: Thanks: 148 Thanked 84 Times in 50 Posts	Noregrets4life is the expert on the resistors. They do get hot, so it needs to be isolated and insulated from other parts. This is mainly to prevent the on board computer telling you that the bulbs/lamps are not functioning. Some soldering involved. I think just painting the bulbs black is the simplest way to go. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters *Mod. R170 ant., EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, HyperWhite license plate lamps ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* Scott).

05-25-2008	#14 (permalink)
DesignoSLK Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Vehicle: 2000 Designo SLK230 Posts: 1,626 Country: Thanks: 77 Thanked 16 Times in 11 Posts	Hey Mike! I wasn't ignoring you. I've been out of the loop the last week, had a church leadership conference to go to. Eddy is right, it would require some soldering, it isn't anything you'd find at an automotive parts store per say. And he's also correct about the wattage rating being high enough not to cause any thermal damage. That's why I suggested 4w based on the formula for voltage/current flow and the bulb rating. But your plan sounds like it will work best for you, I'm just a geek when it comes to electrical/electronic modifications to accomplish something...occupational hazard. (I'm an electronic technician.) __________________ Kevin An American in Germany... To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. '00 SLK230 Designo copper, '06 Saturn Vue, Cessna 172 (pilot)

05-11-2008	#2 (permalink)
mtiede Founding Member #7 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Western New York Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 1,255 Thanks: 33 Thanked 18 Times in 13 Posts	Sorry to hear about the road debris. I think the clear marker looks(ed) great!

05-21-2008	#11 (permalink)
SLKCop Click it or ticket! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Burleson, Texas Vehicle: Black on Black 2002 SLK-230 Kompressor Other Toys: 2007 Toyota Tundra Posts: 214 Country: Thanks: 34 Thanked 41 Times in 24 Posts	Thanks Eddy, Kevin mentioned putting a 'resister' in place of the bulb because I don't need the bulb to light up. I'm confused about the resister; is this something I can get at my local parts store? Mike

05-22-2008	#13 (permalink)
SLKCop Click it or ticket! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Burleson, Texas Vehicle: Black on Black 2002 SLK-230 Kompressor Other Toys: 2007 Toyota Tundra Posts: 214 Country: Thanks: 34 Thanked 41 Times in 24 Posts	Thanks... I actually just ordered a new set of the clear lenses, so I'll be back to those soon. Mike

05-26-2008	#15 (permalink)
SLKCop Click it or ticket! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Burleson, Texas Vehicle: Black on Black 2002 SLK-230 Kompressor Other Toys: 2007 Toyota Tundra Posts: 214 Country: Thanks: 34 Thanked 41 Times in 24 Posts	Hey Kevin, no problem... After looking at the black lenses for the last couple of weeks, I began missing the look of the clear lenses, so that's why I got another set and installed them. The black looked good, but I do think the clear looks better. Sounded like a good idea, though, with the resister and I would've sought your advice more had I planned on leaving the black lenses on. Thanks! Mike

05-30-2008	#16 (permalink)
V8SLK Life is good... Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Home of the brave Vehicle: 05 SLK55 AMG Posts: 1,026 Country: Thanks: 15 Thanked 18 Times in 10 Posts	good call on going back to the clears... you wouldn't want to give the local cops any easy P/C to pull you over... (and the clears really do look a lot better IMHO) __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Scott

05-31-2008	#17 (permalink)
SLKCop Click it or ticket! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Burleson, Texas Vehicle: Black on Black 2002 SLK-230 Kompressor Other Toys: 2007 Toyota Tundra Posts: 214 Country: Thanks: 34 Thanked 41 Times in 24 Posts	Thanks, Scott. I agree. I'm really liking the clear lenses. No PC though for a stop here in Texas without the side-markers. They are allowed, but not required. Mike

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