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C Holmes 01-14-2003 12:50 AM

Bulb Indicator
 
Maybe someone has had this problem, Sometimes the "Bulb Out" indicator comes on in the dash but there is no bulb failier to be found. I have checked them all. Is there another reason this would come on? Other times it will stay off for a few days and then come on again for a few days.
Thanks for any help.:confused:

MikeTangas 01-14-2003 01:05 AM

A poor connection at one of the sockets, or possibly a bulb that's fixing to burn out. Good idea to check the all. I use the highly technical "flick of the finger" to test the filament. Bulbs fixing to go will usually break the filament under the flick test.

pentoman 01-14-2003 05:25 AM

Or wrong wattage bulb

400E 01-14-2003 07:15 AM

Have you done a search on this? It's a common problem.

One thing not often mentioned is that the bulb-out light comes on only after the offending circuit is energized. Pay close attention the next time you start your car. The light probably won't come on immediately but WILL come on after you do something (e.g., turn on the headlights, use the turn signal, hit the brakes). That'll be your clue where to look.

Dave Bunker 01-14-2003 11:29 AM

turn signal & hit the brakes???
 
That's funny, I just posted about this exact problem a couple days ago. I still have not found the problem. I still am suspicious of the new halogens I put in....on a 420 there is a plug to the lamp and not anything to come out....
What is this "use your turn signal and hit the brake procedure" does that alienate the outage some how.....??

jcantor 01-14-2003 11:32 AM

I seem to have the same or very similar problem. My bulb out indicator will flicker on and off periodically. I've checked all the bulbs at least twice and found nothing. I'm guessing that something is loose some where and will eventually either blow or get stuck in the open circuit position long enough for me to find it.

If your situation is similar, I'd ignore it until the indicator stays on for extended periods.

jlc

Joseph_H 01-14-2003 11:34 AM

Had same problem
 
with my E420 and found few bulbs with dirty sockets. I took all bulbs out and cleaned them and their sockets and replaced whichever ones that were discolored and haven't seen the warning light come on again. Found some inexpensive bulbs at WalMart.

on the E420 rear bulb panel there is a socket without connections if that's what you mean. this must have been for the ones that have the parking lights option... mine didn't.

G-Benz 01-14-2003 11:38 AM

Re: turn signal & hit the brakes???
 
Quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bunker
What is this "use your turn signal and hit the brake procedure" does that alienate the outage some how.....??
The bulb indicator can only detect a problem on a bulb that is supposed to be "on" for a particular function. Because there are a lot of bulbs that could be the culprit, doing certain lamp functions can narrow down the number of bulbs that could be suspect.

If bulb indicator comes on when switching the headlights on, then you check the side markers and taillight bulbs. If it comes on when you depress the brake, then you check the brake bulbs (including the third brake light). Same for turn signals.

If it comes on when no lights are on, then you have a grounding problem.

G-Benz 01-14-2003 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jcantor
My bulb out indicator will flicker on and off periodically. I've checked all the bulbs at least twice and found nothing. I'm guessing that something is loose some where and will eventually either blow or get stuck in the open circuit position long enough for me to find it.
The metal rail that contains the socket housings for the taillight bulbs get loose over time, and just enough to prevent proper grounding. If you have the bulb indicator lighting up when no lights are on, then remove the taillight cover and press down firmly against the metal rail near each of the bulb sockets.

If the bulb indicator goes out, then you need to crimp the rail down to get a good seat for the affected bulb socket, or bend the terminal clips inward so the bulb can seat firmly.

While you are inspecting bulbs, make sure they are the nickel-plated OSRAM, Sylvania or Philips bulbs. The cadmium-plated domestic bulbs have a slightly different resistance and will throw the bulb indicator system off.

If you don't have a manual, the correct wattage is embossed near each of the bulb sockets (for the taillights). Should be either 10W or 22W, I believe.

Dave Bunker 01-14-2003 12:24 PM

Lamps are good
 
Read everyones strings. Checked all bulbs, head, tail, marker, fog brake, signal, third brake, high beams, they all are fine. Are there any other bulbs on the light out circuit, like the dome ( which also fine) or the lower door lights, dash lights???? My PTSD is starting to kick in and I'm getting pissed. I was up at 3am today going over wheather or not to buy another mb I found (see string under cars "is $7500 too much".

I think I will eventually find it but so far light out indicator...10
Dave ....0...

G-Benz 01-14-2003 12:32 PM

Re: Lamps are good
 
Quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bunker
Are there any other bulbs on the light out circuit, like the dome ( which also fine) or the lower door lights, dash lights????

I think I will eventually find it but so far light out indicator...10
Dave ....0...

Don't give up yet Dave...I lived with my indicator light problem for over a year before I solved it. You're far from that right now.

Only the exterior lights are part of the system, except that you didn't mention the license plate light (but I am assuming you checked that one also).

Since your problem surfaced only after changing the halogens, it is logical to suspect them entirely. Do you still have the old ones? And are the halogens the same wattage as the original?

Dave Bunker 01-14-2003 12:56 PM

Good question
 
Good q G-Benz. I hate to admit it, but I never check the watts. I bought them at Kragen and looked them up on their comp. I did look at them this morning and they match but not sure what the wattage is....What is the right watt head lights, I thought they were all the same....tail lights being different

G-Benz 01-14-2003 01:29 PM

Probably the ONLY set of bulbs I haven't replaced yet, so unfortunately I can't tell you...:(

Dave Bunker 01-14-2003 05:41 PM

Fixed!!!!
 
All I did was pull the halogens out, unplug them and replug them back in and the problem went away....Go figure. Thanks for everyones reply on the subject...

cerbomark 01-14-2003 07:14 PM

Don t forget the licence plate bulbs.


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