Dead light warning stays on
 

Hi.
On my 1999 E-220 CDI Wagon I have a warning light that indicates a busted taillight or something that is illuminated all the time. I have changed the bulbs to no avail.
One person I talked to thought it may be because the taillights had been chaged to a set with tinted glass, but I can not imagine that they would have changed the sockets or anything besides the glass itself.

All the lights on the car works as they should, but still this warning light stays on.
If anyone can help I would really appreciate it.

Sincerely
Steinar Fagerheim
Norway

light indicator
 

Try matched bulbs preferably with mercedes CP (candlepower) or look for corroded sockets

Hi.
I have just changed both bulbs with new 4/21w, but it stays the same.
Do the indicator warn about other lights too??


Steinar

The license plate lamps are often overlooked when searching for a lamp out. Also be sure to check the thrid brake light, some models have dual bulbs there as well.

A number of problems can cause this, but typically, the source is somewhere inside the taillight housings...and not the tinted lenses.

Make sure bulb wattage is correct...the proper bulb wattage is embossed on the taillight housing next to each socket.

Make sure the bulbs are the nickel-plated OSRAM Philips or Sylvania bulbs. The gold-toned cadmium bulbs send a different resistance and will set off the warning lamp.

It's fairly simple to rule out particular bulbs if it comes on say, whenever headlights are switched on or the brakes are depressed. But a "constant on" situation usually indicates a ground (or earth) problem.

The taillight housings each have two metal rails that house the bulb sockets. Over time, they loosen from vibration and lose contact with ground. When this happens, some of the bulbs may not illuminate properly.

It's not obvious by looking, but the total resistance seen by the warning system as a result of the improper gound is enough to set the warning lamp on.

To verify this, take hold of the taillight housing and press firmly on on one of the metal rails with your thumb (primarily the ones with the most bulbs). If any of the bulbs suddenly get brighter, you've found your problem. Press down onto the rail until it "clicks" back into place.

The warning light won't shut off until you turn the key to the off position and turn it back on again.

Hope this fixes your problem...

;)

Hi all.
Thank you very much for the suggestions.
I will check the ground connection tomorrow.
Hope I go like this :D

Steinar

Some time ago, I noticed one of my license plate lights was out,.....NO "Bulb out" light turned on.

Mike

Did you get your stalling problem resolved ?

Manny,

I haven't had so much as a hiccup out of the 560 since that morning it was acting up. I'll probably order a fuel pump relay soon, just to have a replacement on hand should it act up again.

Manny,

I haven't had so much as a hiccup out of the 560 since that morning it was acting up. I'll probably order a fuel pump relay soon, just to have a replacement on hand should it act up again.