C180 Bulb Failure Indication

[skinthegoat]

Hi there folks. I've a 1995 C180 W202 automatic, 140K but going like a dream. Recently, the 'bulb failure' indicator lamp on the dash has been coming on as soon as I turn on sidelights. It generally goes off without intervention after five minutes or so, a bit sooner if I switch the sidelights off and then on again. While the fault is present, all four side lights are working. Any ideas on just how the thing is checking itself?

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
If you look carefully on the rear you have 2 sidelights per side, and with the 2 on the front, thats 6 lights.
On my C class I get the same indication at times, and its normally down to dirty connections on the back of the bulb, just give the lamp connection a clean/wipe and retension the connector on the bulb holder.

 

[television]

Yes as Andy,, non drying switch cleaner is good applied to the bulbs and holders

 

[skinthegoat]

Many thanks to you both. Sod's Law, of course, when I went out to do the job this morning, the darn thing wouldn't fail! However, I cleaned all contacts, retensioned connectors and gave them a spray of alcohol. One of the rear bulbs was tap-sensitive before, fine afterwards. Thanks again, gentlemen.