300TE Bulb failure warning lamp - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Merkey · #1 09-22-2006, 12:58 AM

We have the orange bulb failure lamp lit in the dash panel on our 1988 300TE.
The warning lamp comes on as soon as the lamp switch is rotated to the 1st position.
All lamps work.
I have replaced all of the front and rear side marker lamps.
The licence plate lamps are lit, but I have not replaced them yet.
Is there another bulb I have missed?

Any other ideas or experiences with this issue?

sixto · #2 09-22-2006, 02:16 AM

The warning system is very sensitive to bulb wattage. McParts store bulbs are notorious for not being precise to rated wattage.

Sixto
93 300SD

Gilly · #3 09-22-2006, 04:56 AM

Besides the license lamps, the side markers on the rear especially get overlooked, as do the side markers up front. Could be a bad bulb failure monitor control module too.
Gilly

Merkey · #4 09-22-2006, 09:45 AM

After I posted, I looked at the licence plate lamps... both look a little darker than new, so I will replace them today.
I replaced the front and rear lamps with the "correct" sylvania bulbs from Pepboys.
Are any of the instrument panel lights on that circuit, or is it only the exterior lamps that are checked? From my searchs, it seems that if it was a brake lamp. it would only light when braking?
There was also a discussion about the rear lamps and bad grounds/tabs, but I was not sure if that applied to our model..
I assume that it must be one of these bulbs, or the module... where is the module?

david s poole · #5 09-22-2006, 12:54 PM

module sits in relay box behind fuse box.you will need to remove 6 screws.it is a long relay and not unusual for multiple plugs underneath to come loose.

Gilly · #6 09-22-2006, 08:49 PM

Did you check the rear SIDE markers?????
No instrument lights on the circuit. You are correct in assuming that it should be an exterior light which operates in the #1 switch position, not a brake light. It only checks bulbs which are being operated, not continuously.
Gilly

richard28 · #7 09-23-2006, 06:20 PM

Take Gilly's advice-the rear side marker bulbs on w124s may be good but not lighting up; reinstalling the bulb can fix that. This was what I did today to check out why my dash light went on. Now its off and I'm happy.

ds190 · #8 09-24-2006, 01:07 PM

So, Merkey starts his post by saying he has replaced front and rear side marker bulbs. Yet someone posts twice advising him to do exactly that, and then someone else posts to back up that advice. Since he has already done that, it would be much more helpful to tell him to try something else, like cleaning off the contact surfaces in the housing and checking the tension of the spring contact.

More importantly, the 124 TE lamp does NOT have a separate rear SIDE bulb. The ONE bulb on the bottom of the bulb assembly is positioned to illuminate both to the rear and side.

Gilly · #9 09-24-2006, 05:12 PM

So, yeah yer right, I definitely screwed up reading his first post, I just messed up, didn't read it right, whatever the heck I did. Been awhile since I wrenched on a TE, so am assuming you are correct about the rear sides being the same as the tails too..BUT I would like to know why he SAID he replaced the rear side markers if none exist, so I am experiencing a range of emotions right now, mostly confusion I guess. I could break out a diagram and study it a bit if neccesary, wouldn't be the first time. Does it maybe vary depending on the model year? Not likely but possible.
Gilly

Merkey · #10 09-25-2006, 04:19 AM

Doh!
I started it.... my fault!
By rear side markers I meant tail lamp bulbs... I am still a little confused(Brit living in the USA) about the correct terminology!
Yes, there is only one per side in the rear, and I replaced them.
I replaced the front ones too and saturday I did the licence plate bulbs... still no joy.

All the bulbs are illuminated correctly now.
If that is the case I can only assume its the module.