Lamp Defective Warning but I can't find any burned out bulbs - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

graysilm · #1 02-16-2009, 08:43 PM

Tonight when I started my 1999 E300TD the "Lamp Defective" warning came on. I checked all my lamps including my brights, fog lights, side lights, tail lights, license plate lights and blinkers. I had my dad check my brake lights and reverse lights. Nothing seems to be burned out. Are there any lamps I am overlooking that could have set off this warning? Thanks

GregoryV022 · #2 02-16-2009, 08:48 PM

im getting the same problem in my 86 300SDL.

unkl300d · #3 02-16-2009, 08:48 PM

third brake light??
sometimes the connectors get funny.

tranny selector light?

door panel and other courtesy lights? other.. trunk? hood? dash?

GregoryV022 · #4 02-16-2009, 08:54 PM

oh, i thought it only indicated exterior lights. haha, looks like im going to take another look

babymog · #5 02-16-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregoryV022

oh, i thought it only indicated exterior lights. haha, looks like im going to take another look

Your belief is correct, it is for exterior lights.

Big Jim · #6 02-16-2009, 09:34 PM

Recheck your brake lights frequently. My wifes 97 has been doing the same thing for awhile now. Her right side brake light works at times and not at other times. Upon startup, as soon as she puts her foot on the brake pedal to put in reverse it sets off the same warning and sure enough the brakelight is not working but at the stop sign down the hill the light is working again. I tried cleaning the contacts on the bulb assembly, new bulb, etc. I think its something with those connectors that make contact when you turn the light socket to seat it. I dont know, I've messed with it on several occasions. It's wierd because when you clear it when you first put it in gear to go it does'nt reappear with regular driving, just at startup. Good luck. I'll be watching this post for a solution. Jim

GregoryV022 · #7 02-16-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Your belief is correct, it is for exterior lights.

okay then nevermind.

TMAllison · #8 02-16-2009, 10:21 PM

Check the left rear fog taillight.

babymog · #9 02-17-2009, 09:19 AM

Only check the lights that are supposed to be on when the warning light comes on. Brake lights, blinkers, rear-fog, will only trip the warning system once they're turned on.

If the parking/running lights turn on the warning, it is either one of the front two corners, one of the tail and side-markers in the rear, or the license-plate lights (or their connections & grounds). Don't complicate with lights that aren't on, eliminate ones that aren't.

If the warning comes on with the brake pedal, it's the brake lights, with the headlamps, the headlamps, with the blinker, a blinker, ... or the wiring/grounds.

graysilm · #10 02-17-2009, 11:49 AM

Thanks for the replies. The warning didn't come on this morning, so I just don't know whats going on. Although unrelated to the warning system, I have been having an annoying situation with some of my dash lights. My tach illumination light on the right side (redline) area of the tach only works sometimes, and other times it is dark. For the longest time I thought that it was burned out but it just started working at random times recently. Has anyone else had this issue?

tinypanzer · #11 02-17-2009, 05:47 PM

License plate lights?

-tp

ps2cho · #12 02-22-2009, 11:12 PM

Just to update for search reasons and this thread:

Got a combination relay from the junkyard today off a 300E -- Plugged her in. FIXED!!

Cost me $3.99

Happy to finally get rid of that damn light!!

If you are convinced all your bulbs are fine then find a local junkyard and grab this relay for dirt cheap. Of course you can ebay too...but be prepared to pay upwards of $40 at least.

unkl300d · #13 02-23-2009, 03:26 PM

Hooha, that's the best ! nothing like elegantly simple solutions....

HoleshotHolset · #14 05-11-2009, 01:35 PM

The '99 W210/OM606.962 I just picked up has this warning message as well.

Only appears when the headlights are turned on. All of the umpteen parking light modes don't aggrivate it...so at least I know where to narrow my search.

Cheers,

Matt

On Edit:
I found that the LF marker light was out last night. For whatever reason I did not notice this before. I will replace the lamp and see if it gets rid of the dang warning message.

MB didn't think that whole system through terribly well (understatement of the day...). It's fine to warn people when lamps burn out...but don't LEAVE the warning up - obscuring the trip odo/odo, outside temp, etc. Grrr.

Edit #2:
Tonight I checked out the LF marker light and sure enough - it was bad...not just a bad connection. Replaced it with a Sylvania 'long life' (#2825, 5-watt) and now I'm good to go - no more annoying warning...until the next lamp burns out.

Edit #3:
Well - that honeymoon didn't last long. HA! After replacing the LF marker light - I got the warning message again. Now it's both license plate lights that are out. Of course, the threads on the screws holding in the vanity panel covering the light housings were slightly corroded and one of the threaded inserts just spun.

Luckily I have a nut-sert tool...and a tube of anti-seize compound.

Does the system sense resistance or just that the circuit is open? I'd like to replace some of these incandescents with LED's. There are consequences of doing this obviously and I wanted to know if the system would throw errors with the LED's. I'll have to research that at some point.

HoleshotHolset · #15 05-16-2009, 07:49 AM

I think I've won the battle - after replacing both license plate lamps - no more warning on the display!

The rear seat overhead lamp was also burned out...as was the glovebox lamp.

Cheers,

Matt