Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-03-2002, 11:27 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: California
Posts: 327
Question on "bulb out" indicator

Hi,

On the '94 E320 I have a little problem. I'm troubleshooting the bulb out indicator and it's leading me down a dead end. Here's what's going on:

A few days ago the indicator came on with the headlights. I checked around and one of the rear corner marker lights was out. No problem. I replaced both with the Sylvania Euro bulbs. The number was 5005 if I remember correctly. Fine, fixed it.

The next day I get the light again. Here's the drill: Start it up, no light. Step on the brakes, no light. Parking lights, headlights, no indicator. When I put it in reverse the indicator lights up. Then it stays on until I shut the engine down and restart. The thing is that both backup light bulbs are working. I can't see anything wrong with that circuit.

Any ideas? Also, before it comes up the license plate lights and third brakelight bulbs are all good. This seems to be somehow related to the backup light circuit.

Thanks!

__________________
D.H.

04 ML500
02 E430

Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-03-2002, 11:31 AM
MikeTangas's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: So. Cal
Posts: 4,430
Take a closer look at the back-up light bulbs. Might have one that is fixing to completely burn out. I always give the bulb a quick flick to watch the filament, ones on the way out will usually break at that point.
__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-03-2002, 11:45 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 1,006
I had an intermittant brake light problem. The mounting fixture in the trunk was starting to come apart (plastic separating from metal) and therefore making intermittant contact. Almost always people would see the brake lights lit, but the bulb malfunction light would come on...

-brian
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-03-2002, 12:18 PM
G-Benz's Avatar
Razorback Soccer Dad
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Dallas/Fort-Worth
Posts: 5,711
The responses by MikeTangas and md21722 would be a cure to the situation...I have had experience with this and one or the other solution would work.

Usually if the light is about to burn out and you can jiggle the bulb back on, the indicator light should go out. If it doesn't, then the metal track inside your taillight housing(s) has indeed shifted enough to prevent one or more bulbs for getting a solid connection with the associated sockets. That would change the total resistance enough to fire up that dash light (which, btw, is exactly how the system determines that there is a problem).

You can usually press against the track firmly with your fingers near the area that your back-up light bulbs reside, and then try again to see if the dash light goes away...
__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-03-2002, 12:31 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: California
Posts: 327
Thanks for the input. Just to be thorough, I'll pick up a pair of new bulbs and make sure everything is clean and snug. I'll report back tomorrow.

Thanks again.
__________________
D.H.

04 ML500
02 E430

Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-03-2002, 02:14 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Surrey, Uk
Posts: 254
Check the replacement bulbs are the correct wattage, also check the rear light cluster wiring is propery grounded
__________________
Mick J
'08 Chrysler 300CRD (MB OM 642 engine)
'95 E220 estate
'89 230TE (R.I.P.)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-04-2002, 11:36 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: California
Posts: 327
Solved

Okay, the problem is gone. I replaced the backup light bulbs, cleaned and shined everything up. Either the bulbs were ready to fail or the connection had deteriorated. In any case, things are fine now.

Thanks for all your helpful suggestions!

__________________
D.H.

04 ML500
02 E430

Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:22 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page