carrac89

I have a "LAMP DEFECTIVE CHECK LAMPS" warning that comes on when I turn my lights on, but none of my lights or lamps are out. How can I turn this warning off?? or what do I need to check..

Thanks for any assistance...


Cynthia

mheffel

A light could be out somewhere. Could be an obscure one like a license plate light.

big_mike1979

^ i agree... its the license place

joeljp

Your brake lights?

nicgentile

it's "always" the license plate light! lol

if not check your side markers. That warning drove me nuts for a long time.

raymond g-

most folks who insist that all the bulbs are functioning usually arent carrying
a tick list with them. so it just 'feels like' they checked them all but in reality,
missed one.

just be sure you've checked
3rd brake light
brake lights *when* you step on the brake (2)
reverse lights (2)
rear fog (1)
license plate (2)
plus all the other ones which are obvious ones.

i only know of brake lights down low which are dual filaments, whereas
all the others should be single, ergo easier to spot.

use this as a guide

mint

I had the same thing; lamp defective warning and all lamps working. Check the filaments on all bulbs as some have suggested, and also for corroded connections (clean sockets and bulb base and see how that works). It also helps to narrow down the bulb you're looking for if you notice when it comes on.

E.g. mine would only come on in 90+ degree heat and only when I hit the brake pedal. Obviously, one of the brake lights was on their way out.

carrac89

Thanks much everyone - it was the license plate light...

big_mike1979

^

nicgentile

Ha..imagine that!

glad ya got it fixed

GiZzO

It would be nice to turn off this annoying feature.

I got this wierd bulb out message only when i turn off the headlights, not when i turn them on.

carrac89

LOL - too funny - its nice to have a "warning" feature, but be a little more detailed to tell me whats wrong.. then I guess, they will charge more money.. LOL Cynthia

raymond g-

fogs turn on when you're shutting down (wag). might this be possible cause for
your bulb malfunction warning? have you, in fact, verified that all (all) bulbs
are fully functional?

GiZzO

My fogs are cool does it also do the same to the high beams cause i have LED's in there that would cause the warning.

Qader42@gmail.c

ALL LIGHTS ARE FUNCTIONING BUT STILL BULB DEFECTIVE COMES UP

DarrenV8

I find with mine that the warning light will only come on when the light is operated, for example if it comes on when you switch your sidelights on, it's the sidelights or the number plate light.

However, I get readings that appear false too. I know that the warning for my car is on the brake lights, as it only comes on when I press the brake pedal. When I check the brake lights, they're all fine. The problem is the connection between the bulb and the metal gridwork style holder. I caught it out when a sidelight wasn't working, took the holder out of the tail light unit, and the bulb was lit, just from moving the holder.

I plan on going over the connections of the holder with some sandpaper and making the prongs grip a bit tighter. It's a crap design, I has similar problems on my old VW Golf GTI which has the same gridwork style holders.

DarrenV8

That's a point. If you have any LED lamps in there which aren't approved for CANBUS cars, that'll be your problem.

Spaceman33

First post ever...

I'm fixing up a 2000 320 CLK for my daughter. I have the "check bulb" warning that I can't clear. Checked EVERY light and found the lower right bulb on the trunk lid (red) was NEVER installed. I pushed out the plug. I tried the bulb from the other side in the slot and no joy. The lens above (white) has a bulb and works. I can't imagine that the light warning existed since the car left Germany.

I am ordering a new bulb socket but I doubt that fixes the issue. I put the multi-meter on the two contacts and got nothing. I plan to re-test with better multi-meter but doubt that one light location is getting power.

Any help will be much appreciated.

big_mike1979

If you checked every light there is from low beam to high beam to reverse to fog to side makers to inside of the car and license place.
I bet its your brake light.

That lower right bulb on the trunk lid (red) should be empty.
I thought at first it was it but it was not. I only say this because I Had the same problem once

Spaceman33

It is strange that the lower left (red) has working bulb and that the lower right would be empty. Can't wrap my head around that.

I did find that one of the brake lights had a single filament bulb and put in the correct bulb.

The warning light is still on. Is there a reset?

I'll do another bulb check on the entire car just to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Thanks for the reply.

big_mike1979

It is strange! I posted a thread while back about this as well.
No reset at all.
Aslo could be from the sensor under your brake pedal " which lead to warning light" " 5 mins job"

1) double check all the lights, start from the inside from glove to dome to map to visor to dashboard to upper center console and door.
Then outside low beam to high beam to fog to reverse to city light, front and back and have someone tap on the brake and signals front and back and license !
If all good, def its the sensor which cost around 60 dollars from advanced auto..
You are so welcome!

big_mike1979

and if you have LED light,
This was my problem.
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ning-lamp.html

Serndipity

The rear fog light bulb is installed on the drivers side only.....so on left side drive vehicles, no bulb is installed on the passenger side rear.

On right side drive vehicles the reverse is true, which to reduce parts count, is why MB provided the fixture this way.

Also check the license plate lamps. There are 2 lamps and if one is out, you'll get a lamp out warning.

There is no reset for the lamp out warning.

However, if the lamp out warning is caused by a faulty brake light switch, it will reset (turn off the warning lamp) upon shutting off the car. Upon restarting, it will remain off until you press the brake pedal.

Spaceman33

Thanks for all the replies. AND for the explanation of the rear fog light. I'll focus on the brake sensor.

And just to clarify, the check light warning is only for EXTERIOR lights and not interior.

Serndipity

Yes, the check lamp warning will only trigger based on the condition of the exterior lights.