Electrical Problems: "Faulty bulb" message...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10
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From: EU
96/97 E420
Electrical Problems: "Faulty bulb" message...
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 19
From: SoCal
98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,942
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
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.
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.
Last edited by raymond g-; Jan 7, 2019 at 04:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: EU
96/97 E420
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
Tom
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
2013 Ford C Max Energi, 2013 Cadillac SRX
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: EU
96/97 E420
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
Tom
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
2013 Ford C Max Energi, 2013 Cadillac SRX
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.
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 271
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From: Minnesota
Mars Red 2005 C230k, 2001 E320 4matic
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
