Left Hand Licence Plate Lamp Failure

JCP

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Hi,

I have a 2007 E320 CDI Estate (W211) and on Monday I had the above message displayed. I checked the lamps and replaced both number plate lamp bulbs as one had failed and the other was blackened. The new bulbs were 12V 5W.

Today I've had the same message showing on the display although both lamps are working.

Does anyone have any suggestions on whether I need to wipe what could be an old message (and if so, how is that achieved)? Could it be a bulb (or two) of the wrong spec?
 

television

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If the contacts are clean it must be the bulbs out of spec, there is no reset for this
 
OP
JCP

JCP

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Many thanks for this - I'll check this in the morning. Much appreciated.
 

EmilysDad

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and fit decent make lamps ..... not cheapo cr4ppy ones
 

BAZZER1

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Recently changed mine for Osram, cleaned all contacts before refitting, no problems
BAZZER1
 

Azkuma

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Well I didn't expect to be looking for this thread but yep I have the same warning on the dash on my SL (that sounds odd seeing as I only drove it home yesterday).

What bulbs are recommended (Bosch or other good quality brand) and does the warning go out automatically or do I need to type in a secret code into the COMMAND unit :p?
 

davidsw

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If correct bulbs are fitted warning will clear itself
 

Wirral_guy

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Just to add - depsite both my number plate light bulbs being changed for standard MB ones, every now and again I get the message 'left side number plate lamp faulty' (or similar). It tends to come and go and the bulb is always OK. It might be fine for 6 months and then I will have 2 weeks of intermittent messages.

I have just put it down to a foible of the car.

Dave
 

davidsw

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My CLK had one number plate bulb flashing on and off every 2 seconds.
Needed new rear sam unit £300 .!
 

Azkuma

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So I had my rear left bulb changed last Friday and the malfunction warning went out on the display, but just on my way home this evening and the warning message has reappeared just as I was nearing home.

Parked up and went to see if the bulb was blown but it's not but the message is still there. Any suggestions as to what the cause could be and how to get it sorted?

Is it a bad contacts or something more serious (I'll be on the phone in the morning), so what can I check?
 

television

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When cars get to a certain age, the contacts for lamp fittings can deteriorate.

You replace a lamp and it will never sit in the same place as the one that was taken out, By using a tin of non drying switch cleaner this will restore a good contact and turn off the warning.

Bulbs in cars sit in a hostile environment and the contacts are just flash nickel plated so not good to use any abrasive on them
 

Azkuma

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When cars get to a certain age, the contacts for lamp fittings can deteriorate.

You replace a lamp and it will never sit in the same place as the one that was taken out, By using a tin of non drying switch cleaner this will restore a good contact and turn off the warning.

Bulbs in cars sit in a hostile environment and the contacts are just flash nickel plated so not good to use any abrasive on them

Before setting off this morning I lifted the boot to check again that the bulb was ok and it was. Closed the boot and prepared to set off and the warning message has gone out.

So, I'm assuming that there is a 'contact' problem which opening and closing the boot has resolved but I will definitely use some non drying switch cleaner on the contacts as a precaution.

I guess I have first week jitters and so the slightest thing will give me goosebumps. :p
 

television

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Just spray the cleaner on the contacts and rotate the festoon lamps and it could be fine, if it was a broken wire in the boot hinge they would both go off
 

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