Detonate

I have a 98 E320. I get the defective lamp message but I can't find out which one it is. Everytime I turn on my headlights, I get the defective lamp message. Thus does that mean it is the headlights? However they work perfectly except that they have a little water in them. I noticed that on the trunk above the reverse light there are red lights. I never seen them on and looking at the bulbs, only the left side has one. The right side has like a plastic piece covering the hole where the bulb and socket should go. This light is on the trunk. What is that light and could that be the defective light since it's missing it?

MARK CUMMINS

Its a running light..check ALL The lights ..If Only when you turn on the headlights...Please do a search...SEVERAL threads on this problem

The Missing hole in the R/R tail lite is normal...its for a fog light on UK and or Right hand drive cars

MG

I replaced a tail light in my car and had a minute of amzaement when my message refused to disapear. The tail lights are metal on metal contact powered (as opposed to a plug in) and then spin or turn in to their contacts. When I replaced my first tail light I spun or turned it too far and only had half the contact point touching the fixed contact point.

This was enough to power the tail light but also enough of a miss to keep the lamp defective message up. I spun the tail lamp back a fraction of an inch and the message disapeared.

MBZ12

Check your license plate light...glove box...side markers...

Wood'sBenz

I got the message when a front fog lamp burned out...

E-Klasse

There may be a fault with your headlight switch too. The contacts inside it start to act funny and cause a slight delay in a light coming on. The headlight failure module detects that a light has not come one and give you the warning. I watched mine against a white wall of my garage. I could see that my drivers side running light did not come on right away as I turned the switch.

E320Star

Fog lights do not trigger a defective lamp issue. Tested it. Most likely it is related to bad connection on the tail light sockets

PHXATC

Not insulting you, but how did you test the front fog lamp vs. defective message?

I'm curious as I've had the same issue, yet just found the left front fog lamp to be out...now I'm going to be back at square one with the stupid message if the fog didn't trip it!

E-Klasse

Try turning your light switch on slowly and stop in each position to see when the lamp defective message comes on. The first position is for running lights and you can check to see that they all come on. Fog lights are not on in this positon so they are not going to cause the malfunction indication to come up.

What I found is a slight delay in the from when the switch is turned on and the light comes on. By the time you get out and walk around the car too see if all the lights are on, it may have had time to come on. The trouble is that the lamp testing circuit is too sensitive and doesn't wait for things to be stable. Not only do contacts go bad at the light sockets as is the most common case with the tail lights but there are contacts in the headlight switch and in the multifunction module that can go bad.

zx11blade

Don't feel bad about the Defective Lamp Message. I have already seen 3 brand new CLS500s with one light out.

ruffrob

I've done all I could for almost the last three years to correct the infamous 'Lamp Defective' message. I finally got the problem solved. I replaced the whole
tail light assembly. No more melting sockets,so no more 'Lamp Defective' message. That's how you solve a problem ,get rid of it....


3 New CLS with a light out??? They need Honda/Toyota lights,never hear those going bad right after a purchase....

4XFORE

i did get a Defective Lamp when one of my fog light went out. Of course you will only get this message when you turn your fog lights on.

4XFORE

i agree. when my license plate light went out too i did get a Defective Lamp message. but most of the time it's my right rear brake light. it usually loose contact (known problem) i know it's time to replace it with 2000 smoke tail lights.

cragigotgame

I always got the lamp defective with my fog lights out too. But like ruffrob said replace your old taillights. I switched mine for some 2000+ E55 ones off ebay and Ive never had one go out since. The old ones drove me crazy, they were foulin up all the time.

sts15

i had a head light go out and got the dreaded message. Took it to a gas station and had it replaced for 29 dollars...but the message light stayed on...the only light that is not on is the night time light on the AC/heat panel. I guess you need to check every light in the car.

Does anyone know what the light in the rearview mirror that shines down towards the gear shift is for? it is too dim to make any difference, in fact I found it only by mistake and could not find any way to turn it off...

mbnj

I asked dealer about that same mirror light when I got the car. Said it was just that, a dim light on bottom of mirror that was unrelated to any other function. I guess if you want to see/read something at night you can hold it up instead of turning on interior light. It is the strangest "feature" I came across in my 2001.

cragigotgame

I dont think any interior lights will cause the lamp failure message.

ruffrob

The 'light' at the bottom of the mirror is the sensor for the keyless locking mechanism,if I'm not mistaken. When I point my key there,i'm able to either lock or unlock my doors. At the time,the green or red light in back of the mirror comes on,indicating open or close,i think.... But to go back to the original subject,change the whole tail light assembly,it's worth it. It's now heaven to look at the dashboard,and NOT see that message,after seeing it off and on,for the last three years.....

E320Star

I keep getting this defective lamb error when I press my brakes. Accroding to the manual this is related to one of the tail stop, signal light beign bad. I replaced all and still the same issue. I noticed when I press the brakes, the tail stop light goes off instead of being on. Replacing the lamb did not fix it, to me it sounds like it is related to a brake switch or something, could it be? I replaced the brake switch 10 months ago !!

cragigotgame

Sometimes the bulb doesnt sit right in the housing. Start you car. Get a board or something and wedge the brake pedal down (or have someone else do it), go back there and fiddle with it and see if you can get it to work right

E320Star

Done that ... No use

E320Star

I found what the issue is. One of the tail stop lights seems to be causing issues even thu it looks like the orginal bulb and it is not burned !!! It all started when I replaced the bulbs 2 yrs ago which was a diff brand but the correct Sylvania P21/4W. I removed it and put back the original Philips brand on it and it seems to be ok. For how long it will be ok, who knows!!

Here is how I diagnosed the issue:
=========================
What I did to determine it is the bulb, is as follows:
1) I switched left w/the right socket including bulbs, then I pressed the brakes and issue moved from left to the right side.
2) Then I switched the bulbs only, the issue moved back to the left side. This tells me the socket is fine so is the wiring. It was 100% sure it is the fricking bulb..

Next time i am only buying bulbs from the dealership to gurantee no conficts..

Blackbeard

That amber light is part of the 'ambience light' system on the '00-'02 210's. There are two others in each footwell. If you look at your legs at night you'll see the faint glow. There's also a faint amber light in each door panel just below the door release lever. Put your hand underneath there and you'll see it ... it shines through a thin white plastic strip. MBUSA describes it as "headlamp-activated low-intensity lighting of the center console, door handles and footwells."

The lighting is very subtle, but once you know it's there you do notice it and it is a nice touch.