Brake Light Question

[MIW615]

Need a bit of info regarding my W210's brake lights, here's the problem..........

I've just started getting the "Lamp defective - check lamps" sign flashing on my display when I apply the brakes, now I've had this before and it's always been a blown brake light bulb. I have checked the bulbs, cleaned the contacts and checked the bulb holders- all seems okay, but still I get the warning signal. I have several questions..................

Should I measure the resistance of the bulbs, could a high resistance cause the fault, and if so what is the accepted resistance?

Could the brake light switch cause this problem (it was changed less than 4 months ago)?

I was thinking of replacing both bulbs and bulb holders and see if this makes a difference - cost minimal.

Comments please.

 

[jberks]

Not sure what the resitsances should be but I'd check and compare both sides to see if there is a significant difference. I assume the bulb wattages are correct and the bulbs are in the right way around. (Egg sucking I know) but I've found that in some cases, the offset pins on the bulb don't stop it going in upside down.

 

[MIW615]

Not sure what the resitsances should be but I'd check and compare both sides to see if there is a significant difference. I assume the bulb wattages are correct and the bulbs are in the right way around. (Egg sucking I know) but I've found that in some cases, the offset pins on the bulb don't stop it going in upside down.

Just changed the bulb holders and made no difference, the bulbs (from MB) were changed about 4 months ago so I thought they should be okay - however I will measure resistance when I get home tonight.

 

[wireman]

I have had this problem, the replacement lamps I had fitted were not quite drawing enough current to keep the warning off, another pair of fresh lamps (from the reversing lamps) sorted it out. B&Q had supplied my dodgy lamps, bosch ones wern't much better and lucas ones lasted about a month.

 

[MIW615]

I have had this problem, the replacement lamps I had fitted were not quite drawing enough current to keep the warning off, another pair of fresh lamps (from the reversing lamps) sorted it out. B&Q had supplied my dodgy lamps, bosch ones wern't much better and lucas ones lasted about a month.

That's what I'm beginning to think, my bulbs are Bosch, from MB, I think I may buy two new ones and see if this puts out the warning light. When you think about it, bulbs should last for years, not months:???:

 

[television]

The current being to much or to little can put the lamp on, so it could be either way

 

[MIW615]

The current being to much or to little can put the lamp on, so it could be either way

Basically it sounds like to me that the warning system is too sensitive

 

[television]

Basically it sounds like to me that the warning system is too sensitive

Hi malcolm, as you said earlier, it is the brake lights as it only happens when you touch the brake pedal.

Dont forget when testing that the ign has to be turned off each time it lights, if the lamp is on,playing with the bulbs will not turn it off

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

Hi,
A common problem with the 210, is the printed curcuit board behind the bulb holders melts and distorts and this gives bulb warning and bulb failure problems, have a close inspection behind the bulb holders. It can mean new light clusters if this is the case