Tail light warning on a mercedes c220 cdi coupe

[MAZxxx]

Hi, Can anyone tell me why I keep getting a "Tail Light" warning light on my dash board when the lights are working fine? I have taken it to a garage but I have just picked it up and, as soon as I switch the side lights on, up comes the annoying warning on the dash again.
I am taking it back tomorrow but was wondering if any of you clever dudes out there have come across this before.

 

[television]

On lamp has gone or making poor contact,,do not forget the brake lamp bulb and the number plate bulb

 

[MAZxxx]

Hi, No, all lamps are working perfectly, any ideas?

 

[NJones59]

There is a spare bulb that kicks in if one tail light bulb goes, so when you look at the light cluster all the lights will appear to be working. Are you getting the message 'substitute lamp on' appearing on the multifunction display?

Nigel

 

[delboy777]

I had this on my 01 w203 220cdi it said check offside rear light, when i did it was ok but i removed it and gave it a spray with switch cleaner and its never come back with that warning, although it did come up with numberplate light and sure enough one of em was blown, so i replaced both and gave them the obligatory spray of the good stuff (as per Malcolm)

 

[Cole@MBS]

There's a wiring mod to cure this, its a plug and play piece of wiring that sits in between the light plug and the loom, any mb dealer will know about this!!

 

[SpikeUK]

I have the same message every time we have a cold start (quite a lot recently). I keep meaning to take out the bulb and give it a spray...... but then we have a warm day and the message doesn't appear again !

 

[Micman]

I expect it will be a dirty/poor contact. My car keeps telling me the rear numberplate bulb has blown when it hasn't. I clean it up, it works again fine for a few months then I have to clean it again.

 

[television]

I expect it will be a dirty/poor contact. My car keeps telling me the rear numberplate bulb has blown when it hasn't. I clean it up, it works again fine for a few months then I have to clean it again.

The advantage of a non drying switch cleaner is that it stops the contacts from getting tarnished again