Intermittent brake light out warning

stuartmac

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2007
Messages
194
Reaction score
0
Hi,

2000 W210 E320CDI.

Got an odd problem with the offside brake light. Every now and then, the dash display will warn the bulb has failed and, true enough, it won't be working; however, next time you use the car, it'll be working again :confused:

Eventually, it'll happen again, sometimes on the next journey, sometimes not. :( I thought at first it seemed to be happening more often in town (when something might be getting warmer) than out on the open road but, in reality, the pattern isn't there.

I have changed the bulb - it was an MB one and the new one is an MB one. I appreciate that I could've had two duff bulbs but I thought I'd run the problem past the experts before I lashed out on more bulbs. :)

Regards,
 

teddycatkin

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Messages
2,093
Reaction score
5
Location
cheshire cheese country
Your Mercedes
W107-SL W124-220te W123-230e W201 2.0
Could be 2 duff bulbs --cheap enough to try another --always keep em for spares --but seems like a loose connection or bad earth--check them all out make sure its tight in the holder and contacts are clean ?
 

television

Always remembered RIP
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
164,073
Reaction score
367
Age
89
Location
Daventry
Your Mercedes
2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
I am sure that this was a problem once on these rear lights, I will look to see if I still have the info
 

MB TECH WARRINGTON

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2008
Messages
572
Reaction score
0
the rear light boards melt with the heat from the bulbs causing the contact points to pull away, and cause no end of intermittent problems

Most prob need a new rear light, remove your lights and check for the plastic melting.
 

television

Always remembered RIP
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
164,073
Reaction score
367
Age
89
Location
Daventry
Your Mercedes
2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
the rear light boards melt with the heat from the bulbs causing the contact points to pull away, and cause no end of intermittent problems

Most prob need a new rear light, remove your lights and check for the plastic melting.

Does this come with the adapter that reduces the voltage, an in line resistor I think
 

television

Always remembered RIP
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
164,073
Reaction score
367
Age
89
Location
Daventry
Your Mercedes
2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
Was it the 211 then that had this 1 ohm resistor mod.

I am sure the Blobcat had this mod done on one of his cars
 
OP
S

stuartmac

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2007
Messages
194
Reaction score
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Hi All,

Thanks very much for all the advice, I'll investigate the internals of the rear light.

Regards,
 

jberks

Senior Member
Joined
May 12, 2004
Messages
11,153
Reaction score
41
Location
M1, Outside lane, somewhere between Leeds and Lond
Your Mercedes
Jaguar XF 3.0 S, LR Freelander 2, Fiat 500 & Fiat Panda
Hi,

2000 W210 E320CDI.

Got an odd problem with the offside brake light. Every now and then, the dash display will warn the bulb has failed and, true enough, it won't be working; however, next time you use the car, it'll be working again :confused:

Eventually, it'll happen again, sometimes on the next journey, sometimes not. :( I thought at first it seemed to be happening more often in town (when something might be getting warmer) than out on the open road but, in reality, the pattern isn't there.

I have changed the bulb - it was an MB one and the new one is an MB one. I appreciate that I could've had two duff bulbs but I thought I'd run the problem past the experts before I lashed out on more bulbs. :)

Regards,

Very common
Clean and retension the contacts, unless the bulbholder is badly melted in which case replace.
 

Peter Best Insurance is a leading specialist in Mercedes-Benz insurance. All MBO members are eligible for exclusive rates on all our classic car policies.
Call now for our 'BEST' quote. Tel: 01376 573033
Top Bottom