Light Bulb Warning

[alloy36]

Hi in my e220 cdi (W210) as soon a i switch the lights on the light bulb warning light comes on which is annoying as i have checked all the bulbs and they all work fine. Do i have to reset this or is there a faulty sensor somewhere.

Cheers

 

[roadhog]

Make sure your bulbs are the right wattage and the contacts are clean.
I had a wrong one fitted in one of the tail lights of my W124 and together with a dodgy contact that was enough to bring on the warning lamp. It took me a while to find as all the lights worked OK.
H.T.H.

 

[Blobcat]

On the W210 it is quite common for the bulb contacts to corrode and set off the warning. The rear lights are a favorite for this, take them out and clean the contacts.

 

[alancee]

twist and cus

blobcats right i am always having to slightly twist back the brake bulb on my w210,and the last one aswell,its a fault ,the light may still come on but dimmer,it makes you out to be an idiot

 

[jberks]

Thirded (or whatever). Had it on the brake light. Warning kept coming on but bulbs were ok. Cleaned the contacts on one side and the difference between the 2 brake lights was the same as the difference between a normal stop and tail light. Cleaned and retentioned the other side and it was happy again. (plus I now had nice bright brake lights again).
That was on a 5 year old one so anyone with an older one, this job is probably overdue whether you have the warning light on or not.

 

[alloy36]

Cheers, Should i be using something to clean the contacts other than a cloth?

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Have you also checked the registration plate bulbs, they can trigger it too.

 

[wireman]

Don't use rough emery/wet dry/sandpaper cos they will tear off the electroplating and the contacts will rust.

 

[jberks]

Interesting question. I used a bit of wire wool. It worked fine but but I suspect that wouldn't be recommended either. So I'll add my voice to the question :


what is the best thing to use??

 

[Geezer]

Angle grinder?

 

[amb67]

Best to purchase some electrical contact cleaner from Halfords or Charlie Browns type establishment.

It removes the surface film that causes the poor connection but leaves the terminals coated in a thin film that prevents the surface film coming back.

The 210's had some serious issues with corrosion on the electrics at the rear of the vehicle. I would recommend that you do this to all electrical connections at the rear to prevent further issues later. It's worth spending a Sunday afternoon doing this before the terminals or connections are damaged beyond repair.

 

[alloy36]

Thanks. This seems like a very good idea and definitley worth the effort. I know what I'll be doing this weekend!!!!!!!!!