BULB out warnings

[Miffy]

Any idea what bulbs are checked and when?

My car has started to give me a bulb out warning but all lights work, its not vibration either.

If I sit there with the ignition in pos 2, it does nothing, if I start the engine, very soon the wartning will come up, thats without me powering any lights on

 

[5pares]

Sounds like a light switch fault.

 

[roofless]

had this last week & found it to be a dirty contact on the bulb holder on one of the side repeaters

 

[television]

All of the side lights and number plate lights, the brake lamps and head lamps.

If just one goes slightly poor contact that is enough to put the warning on. if you cannot find a fauly lamp then spray the bulb bases and holders with a non drying switch cleaner

 

[Miffy]

but dont the lights only get tested once the power is applied? like when I had a bad front fog the warnings only triggered if I put the fogs on, currently i can get the warning up by just starting the car with all lights off and foot off the brake

 

[television]

Some cars the bulbs are all measured from turn on,,on others sometimes only when the bulb has been used like stop lamps

 

[Miffy]

just been out and all work, so its down to playing with each bulb and holder i guess

 

[television]

just been out and all work, so its down to playing with each bulb and holder i guess

You are not alone,we have many post like yours

 

[mikestrivens]

yesterday I found, on one of my brake light bulbs, that the glass bulb was loose in the metal bit that went into the holder. The glue or cement holding the bulb together had failed. Whilst the light worked it was loose and occasionally didn't work causing the light failure light on the dash to come on. But every time I checked the bulbs they looked OK and worked when I tested them. I suggest you take every bulb out of their holder and check that they retain their integrity and whilst your about it spray the switch cleaner into the holder as well.

 

[bigasotonuk]

just been out and all work, so its down to playing with each bulb and holder i guess

Brake lights as well? your number plate ones are ok? On a w202 there are two rear side lights per side, and as the lamps are close together behind the lense it can give you the impression that there all working when in fact only one is, yours could have a similar arrangement.

 

[Miffy]

thanks guys, I will get some switch cleaner and inspect them all tomorrow. My old Mondeo had a full bulb reporting system, in the display it showed you exactly what bulb was playing up if a door wasnt secured etc. Shame MB couldnt have done similar

 

[Miffy]

case solved, one of the segments from the boot brake array was out, replaced with a std red LED and fault gone

 

[television]

I am pleased that you have seen the light

 

[mikestrivens]

Good result. Perseverance pays off.

 

[Miffy]

yep, total cost was .98p from ripoff maplins for a 3mm bright red led