Lamp Defective Warning

[Alcaudete Blue]

E300 TD (1998)

Can anyone out there advise what to do next? I have replaced all of the bulbs (twice) at the rear end. I still get a 'lamp defective' warning. The strange thing is that when the lights are on only the middle brake light works. When the lights are off the drivers side and middle (high level) brake lights work, but not the passenger side brake light. Ive had a look for the fuse (front and aft fuse boxes) to no avail. Are the lights controlled by a relay ? Any adviec welcomed.

 

[Blobcat]

This is quite common on the 210's, you really need to clean up the contacts on the bulb holder as well as the bulb. I used to have to do this every 3 months or so on mine.

 

[Alcaudete Blue]

How (or what did you use) to clean the contacts - an abrasive of some kind ? Did you clean the contacts from the bulb holder to the main pannel ? Failing that do you think it may be a faulty switch ?

 

[Blobcat]

I used fine emery paper and a fibreglass pencil on the bulb and bulb holder. I put it down to vibration and corrosion on the back of the bulb.

 

[jberks]

I agree with Blobcat that the contacts do give trouble, but, what you describe has me scratching my head a little. I know you have replaced the bulbs and this may be egg-sucking, but are you sure they are the right bulbs as MB tail light bulbs are unusual with offset pins. Most spares shops wil give out the wrong replacements unless this is pointed out. If the bulbs are ok then I think I'd be tempted to get a 12v tester out and go through it properly. It does sound a bit like an earthing problem but only because you get very odd faults with that but why one side should work when the lights are off is a bit odd. 10 mins with a tester should provide some info though.

 

[brandwooddixon]

I used to have this bulb faillure messages regularly and yet when I looked all appeared to be OK. What I found was that the back plate on the rear lights had warped slightly on one side. I removed the bulb holders cleaned the contacts, bent them out slightly more so that they made a harder contact with the back plate and all has been well since.

The problem you describe sounds like an earthing problem. I would suspect the dual brake/tail lamp bulb. Check the contacts and that it is the correct one and is in the correct way around - even though the pins and holder logs are offset it IS possible to fit them wrongly if you try hard enough!

 

[jp williams]

E300 TD (1998)

Can anyone out there advise what to do next? I have replaced all of the bulbs (twice) at the rear end. I still get a 'lamp defective' warning. The strange thing is that when the lights are on only the middle brake light works. When the lights are off the drivers side and middle (high level) brake lights work, but not the passenger side brake light. Ive had a look for the fuse (front and aft fuse boxes) to no avail. Are the lights controlled by a relay ? Any adviec welcomed.

Hi AB,
your problem is very interesting and is a variation on a theme.Did you read of my problem ? If not see "Can anyone help?" under the Electrics etc category, as it might get you and hopefully others thinking.

Hope you get it sorted.

Regards

John

 

[bigasotonuk]

I agree with Blobcat that the contacts do give trouble, but, what you describe has me scratching my head a little. I know you have replaced the bulbs and this may be egg-sucking, but are you sure they are the right bulbs as MB tail light bulbs are unusual with offset pins. Most spares shops wil give out the wrong replacements unless this is pointed out. If the bulbs are ok then I think I'd be tempted to get a 12v tester out and go through it properly. It does sound a bit like an earthing problem but only because you get very odd faults with that but why one side should work when the lights are off is a bit odd. 10 mins with a tester should provide some info though.

I was thinking something similar, and I really don,t want offend but double check you have put the twin filament lamps back in the right lamp holders, the twin filament lamp is,nt neccessarily the brake light as my c class w202's has just single filament ones.
Forget about extinguishing the lamp failure warning light for the time being and get the lights working as they should.