E-Class (W210) 1995-2002: E 200, E 220D, E 240, E 290TD, E 300TD, E 200, E 240, E 280, E 320, E 420, E 430 (Wagon, Touring, 4Matic)

Defective Lamp Message

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Old Aug 26, 2003 | 11:56 PM
  #1  
ed-E300TD's Avatar
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From: Washington DC / No. Virginia; and Cape Cod, MA
'71 280SE
Defective Lamp Message

I'm getting the "Defective Lamp" message as soon as I select my parking lights.
Here's the kicker. When I conduct an external inspection, it appears that ALL of my lamps are operating properly. Also, if I turn my lights on before starting the engine, I get no message. But, as soon as the engine's running, I get the mesage again.
Any ideas/advice?
Thanks,
Ed
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Old Aug 27, 2003 | 01:59 AM
  #2  
Whitey's Avatar
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From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
If you haven't already, check the rear number plate light bulbs and brake lights - very often overlooked.
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Old Aug 27, 2003 | 01:45 PM
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MARK CUMMINS's Avatar
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From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Inspect the rear lite bulb holders ..the connections melt and cause the lite to come on ..I Have seen several do this..
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Old Aug 27, 2003 | 09:40 PM
  #4  
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98 W210 Advantgarde
Good point. Check carefully. I recall once having similar problems where the plastic housing had slight dimples/lumps, causing a poor connection and the brake lights only worked from time to time, and the faulty lamp lights came on intermittently. I filed down the dimples/lumps on the plastic parts and solve the problem.

I have been told poor connections on the rear brake lights of the W210's is a common problem.
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Old Aug 27, 2003 | 11:10 PM
  #5  
ed-E300TD's Avatar
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From: Washington DC / No. Virginia; and Cape Cod, MA
'71 280SE
Bingo! You guys nailed it.

I should have checked more carefully.

Thanks.

Ed
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Old Aug 29, 2003 | 09:13 PM
  #6  
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I had the same problem, the wiring might be loose. I got a 2001 E320.
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Old Aug 30, 2003 | 04:03 PM
  #7  
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
Sean's Sister--
yeah those rear ones are retarded, i have super white bulbs in mine and with a white car at night it looks tight but they seem to burn out fast but when i changed one yesterday i saw that the bulb wasn;t burned i swicthed them around from one bulb insidethe car and it worked fine, no idea what happened but i just wanted to share this, hehe
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Old Aug 30, 2003 | 08:54 PM
  #8  
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From: Los Angeles Area
E 420
I know the feeling guys at least 4 times a month I have to open my trunk and pat the back of the brake lights to get them to work properly. I think its a problem with the desing of the brake lightbulb housing. Does any one sell replacements for them online?
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Old Aug 31, 2003 | 02:56 AM
  #9  
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98 W210 Advantgarde
Guys, before buying another, I'd suggest try finding the bad connections and filing/sanding any irregular parts down - mines not played up since I'd done mine.

Whacking the back's not going to solve the problem either!
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