E500 Electrical Problem
 

Hi all - here is a strange one.

Last week, stepped on brake pedal and idiot light indicating outside lamp failure came on. I positioned the car so that I could see the reflection in the glass windows of a commercial building - no lighting problem noticed. Turned off car at shopping center. When I returned and re-started no idiot light for light failure.

Today, started car, placed foot on brake before (planning) to engage reverse, had a spectacular light show. All of the back lights in my switches began flashing on and off. Released brake, pressed again - same show. On the third effort, no show.

Any thoughts on yet another 124 electrical mystery?

Steve

Hi Steve-

winter often drains batteries- and a weak battery can be a cause for your light show...

-fad

I have had a similar excerience but cannot offer any help in resolving yours. The Bulb Out light in the instrument cluster will indicate a faulty bulb when there is none. Usually when I restart the car the problem with the seems to vanish??

It has only happened 3 times in the last year that I have owned the car, could I have corrotion building up in a socket, could this be related to mbsteve's issue?

check the trunk license plate lights (LPL)!
 

Same thing happend to me and after searching, I could not find any lights that were out. But I forgot about the LPL.

Sure enough one was out and it turned out to be a pinched wire (that broke) going thru the rear trunk lever.

Re the 'light show', don't know what that is!

Will check, thanks Jim.

Jim,

Thanks for the LPL suggestion - but this is ok as well. I once had the light in the trunk fail to shut off - cost me two batteries before that was uncovered!

Ross,

It did it again last night (idiot light that is) without the light show. Turned motor off and it cleared - might have something to do with this cold weather.

At this point in time I guess this falls into one of those "have to live with it" problems. Thanks for everyone's thoughts - sure would be nice to understand this and attempt a fix.......