MB Sprinter - Remove rear light

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A defective bulb is sometimes the reason to remove the tail light in question in order to replace it with a functional one. Know how here again is the solution to the puzzle regarding the question: "How do I remove the rear light?"

The following instructions refer to MB Sprinter from 2019 onwards.

Removing the rear light

Three Torx screws on the recessed inside hold the entire rear light unit to the body. After loosening the three screws, the rear light can be moved about one centimeter away from the body, but cannot be removed.

The side attachment of the rear light is not, as one might generally assume, secured with clamps or the usual retaining devices. Therefore, DO NOT try to pull the rear light out of these by force. There is too great a risk of the comparatively delicate brackets tearing off if handled incorrectly.

After the tail light has been returned to its original, adjacent position and the door has been closed, step to the side, with your back towards the front of the vehicle, next to the tail light and hit it (with feeling) from the side in the middle, directing the thrust backwards, away from yourself and the rear of the vehicle. It is therefore a pushing "blow", not a vertical one.
The rear light slips out of the three round, T-shaped brackets and can now be easily removed.

Removing the lamp holder

Six lateral and one further plastic tab hold the lamp holder with the cable plug connection in position. Carefully move these tabs away from the lamp carrier until it is free and can therefore be removed.
It is not necessary to disconnect the plug connection, as the wiring harness is long enough to replace the bulb!

Lamp replacement

The defective bulb can now be removed from the bayonet catch, checked and replaced if necessary However, sometimes the bulb is whole and only a contact problem (e.g. due to oxidation) is the cause of the failure. If in doubt, apply contact spray prophylactically to prevent future oxidation.

Installing the lamp holder

Once the function has been restored, the lamp holder is replaced - in the correct alignment - and pressed down until all retaining tabs are engaged.

Installing the rear light

The rear light is now first aligned with the T-shaped ones and then pushed onto them towards the front of the vehicle. The three Torx screws can then be screwed back in after opening the door(s).