Burned-out bulb warning light
 

The car is a 1994 C280.

I'm getting the yellow warning light that indicates I have a burned-out bulb somewhere. The lamp goes out when I shut the car off, and doesn't always come back on the next time I start the car. I have checked every bulb on the car (headlights, turn signals, brake lights, fog lights, parking lamps, reverse lights) and cannot find a burned out bulb.

Is there another reason this warning light might come on? I know sometimes that an ABS warning light can be a signal that the OVP is about to go, or that there is a charging problem with the alternator. Is there anything like that I should be looking at for the burned out bulb warning light?

Thanks,

Jonathan

Start wiggling.
If it does not come on everytime, it would suggest a loose bulb?
P.S. Is your licenceplate light (s ) okay?

I didn't check the licence plate lights. That's a good thought. Thanks.

You can rule out a number of bulbs with a few simple steps.

Start the car. If the indicator is NOT on, then turn on the headlight switch. If the indicator comes on, then it's one of the bulbs activated by the headlight switch (including the license plate light). Many bulbs to investigate here including the parking bulbs. BTW, cockpit lighting does not affect this system.

Shut the car off and restart each time to clear the system. Sometimes the indicator will not turn back off with the different steps.

Depress the turn signal stalk either direction or switch on the hazard switch. If the light comes on, you can narrow it down to which side. Sometimes the indicator comes on and off in this situation.

Tap on the brakes. If the indicator comes on, it's the brake bulbs in the taillights OR the third brake light (most of us forget to check that one).

Put the car in reverse. If the light comes on, then it's one of the reverse/back-up bulbs.

G-Benz

It's a Canadian car with Daytime Running Lights. ;)
As soon as you start the car, the headlights & taillights come on.

(Ala Homer Simpson)...DOH! :o

Intermittent lamp out MIL. I would suspect a failing or loose side marker bulb in the taillight assembly. Everytime I have one of those intermittent lights I do an immediate walk around...usually find one of the tail side markers dark. A quick tap on the lens fixes it, if that works for you it means that filiment is ready to give up the ghost.

I had a head scratcher like that. It turned out to be broken wires at the trunk hinge that made intermittent contact, thanks to the brittle wiring insulation of that era.

Thanks to everyone who offered their thoughts. The $64,000 prize goes to Manny. It is a licence plate light. I'll get around to it.

Jonathan