Gziut

Hello,

Maybe someone can help, cause the MB dealership guys don't really have any ideas.

When I'm stuck in traffic, a "faulty bulb" message appears on the dash display. This happens 50% of the time that I am stuck in traffic. Each time I get out, check all the external lights and they are in perfect working order. Also, when I get said message, the engine "stumbles", that is, from time to time it almost drops to 0 RPM only to go back up again. This happens every few minutes. Also, my headlight level adjustment stopped working and my climate control backlight is out.

Any ideas??

Any and all help would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

RichardM98

W210's are known for false 'bulb failure' messages. Mostly due to loss of contact between the bulb socket and the receptacle it locks into. One trick (worked for me) is to fully seat the bulb and then back off slightly to get a new contact point. I got that tip out here and it's going on 2 years and no false positives. However, some have resorted to replacing the tail light assembly.

If you haven't done so, you'll need someone to help you check the brake light bulbs since it's pretty hard to press the pedal and observe the light. Hint: When you're stuck in traffic your foot is probably on the brake pedal.

Also, I wouldn't assume that the problems you mentioned are all related or due to one cause. I think the backlight on the CCU is just a burned out bulb or two. Pull the unit and replace them.

I'm really surprised that the dealer couldn't come up with anything in either issue (both your posts). Usually they'll try anything when using your nickel.

raymond g-

see if this helps....

one thing that i didn't mention is that on my 99 (not sure if this applies to 96/7)
when lights are on, first click, the outside perimeter lights are on, ie parking
lights:

(2) H6W dim bulbs inside the high beam reflector,
(2) front bumper side clearance bulbs,
(2) dual filament bulbs on the outside edge of the tails
(2) single filament bulbs on the inside edge of the outer tails

...then, when you step on the brake,
(2) second of the dual filaments light up on the outside edge of the tails

....don't neglect to eyeball,
(2) lights above the rear license plate
(2) lights when shifted into REVERSE
(1) rear fog light on left rear, when headlight rotary switch pulled 2 clicks
(2) front fog lights in front,when rotary switch pulled 1 click

....and natch,
(2) low beam
(2) high beam


also, if ANY of the bulbs are LEDs they may not produce the minimum
resistance needed to extinguish the bulb malfunction warning.

Gziut

Thanks for replying to both posts. Good call on the fact that my brake lights are mostly on when stuck in traffic. :$ I was thrown off by the fact that the faults occurred only when I was stuck in traffic. I was thinking that maybe something was over-heating when I was stuck in traffic. Something to do with the wiring harness perhaps. Or vacuum lines. I'm going back to the dealer on Monday, they will try to sort everything out. I am still worried about the intermittent RPM dips in traffic where they go almost down to zero and then back again. But we shall see what they find... Hopefully not too much... I'll post an update when everything gets sorted out.

Tom

saintz

When was the last time you replaced your battery?

tpowel2

Replace the battery? My car is now 10 years old, and has 115,000 miles and is still on the original battery!!! I think they last forever, don't they?!

Gziut

So, I am going to the dealership tomorrow, but just to keep people updated, my CCU backlight came back on. So I guess it hadn't burnt out, just some lose wires. (I don't know whats worse). I got another faulty lightbulb message again, this time while not stuck in traffic. We shall see tomorrow.

Tom

tpowel2

Thanks for this trick! I tried it too, and so far, so good! Thank you!!!

e320avangarde

use some dielectric grease on the conntacts And do trick by RichardM98

Brau0318

I have this exact same problem and I am going to the stealership in an hour to see what the deal is. I have the low speed steering wheel squeak and slow speed transmission clunk as well. I hope I dont need a loan after this haha. I will post about my light problem when I get back