Yes, this thread is almost two years old but I *finally* solved this problem. I'd given up long ago but a few weeks back the center brake light bulb went out. I knew it was a brake light because the "light out" dash light came on the first time I hit the brakes.

Anyway, after I replaced the brake light I checked and the "light out" dash light still came on when I turned on the parking lights. I looked around and all the lights looked good. I did notice for the first time though that one of the license plate bulbs was a little dimmer than the other. I'd never bothered to check the actual bulbs installed in the license plate lights. I replaced the dim one and no help. Then I pulled out the other, brighter bulb. Well it was a 10W instead of a 5W. I replaced it and my problem is solved!

After two and a half years of ownership, I can now turn my lights on w/o being faced with at light out warning light! I know it's foolish but it made my day.

BoB

BTW the Sylvania bulbs from the auto parts store worked fine though the ones for the Mercedes sure are a lot more expensive than some of the others.

__________________
1988 300TE
1991 Miata