lamp defective
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From: VA
w210
lamp defective
Hi everyone. I'm a newbie. I have a 1997 E420. Just the other day, I got the 'lamp defective' message. I went thru the other posts regarding this and pretty much did everything without any luck.
Now, I've been looking around for some E55 tail lights. So maybe that will change everything.
What do you guys think. Like I said, I'm new to MB and any help is greatly appreciated.
I will put up some pics soon. Thanks,
-Bob
Now, I've been looking around for some E55 tail lights. So maybe that will change everything.
What do you guys think. Like I said, I'm new to MB and any help is greatly appreciated.
I will put up some pics soon. Thanks,
-Bob
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: VA
w210
hahaha...well i really want to get those e55 lights, but i read here in one of the posts that even after they upgraded the tails, they were getting that 'lamp defective' message.
so i'm not sure if i need to go the the dealership....i mean, i switched the bulb holders and got new bulbs and played with them a bit, but still no luck!!!!
so i'm not sure if i need to go the the dealership....i mean, i switched the bulb holders and got new bulbs and played with them a bit, but still no luck!!!!
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From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Inspect ALL the lights!Then Inspect the Rear Tail Light Bulb Holders..the contacts MELT and will cause the bulb check light
Then Inspect ALL the bulbs to see IF they match...If You do NOT have the same watt type of bulb the check light WILL come on
Then Inspect ALL the bulbs to see IF they match...If You do NOT have the same watt type of bulb the check light WILL come on
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From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
I know exactly what you mean. Changing the rear light cluster might work as Mark has said, it could be melted holders, or in my case, justs a poorly made holder on the OEM rear lights. In the meantime, did you check the light for the number plate also? Its easy to miss.
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From: Ramona, CA
1996 E320
From personal experience:
If you find that a rear tailight (usually brakelight) is the culprit, but the bulb is fine, get ready for irritation. The metal contacts between the bulb holder and the lens begin to arc over time. At first, you can get by with a little 220grit once in a while on the contact points. Over time, though, the lens side contact will begin to pit, and you'll find your "lamp defective" light coming on every week. Unfortunately, you can't just replace the metal contact plate on the lens - you have to buy a whole new lens. Or you can deal with the 3X daily sandpaper thing.
If you find that a rear tailight (usually brakelight) is the culprit, but the bulb is fine, get ready for irritation. The metal contacts between the bulb holder and the lens begin to arc over time. At first, you can get by with a little 220grit once in a while on the contact points. Over time, though, the lens side contact will begin to pit, and you'll find your "lamp defective" light coming on every week. Unfortunately, you can't just replace the metal contact plate on the lens - you have to buy a whole new lens. Or you can deal with the 3X daily sandpaper thing.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: so cal
my problem was with the rear tailight. i never change it and now the lamp indicator is off.time to time , the indicator lamp goes on but usually once every 5-6 months. this only last for one or two days. so i basically just leave it there.
so if it your rear taillight is out and doesnt bother you that much , just leave it alone like i do. hope that helps
so if it your rear taillight is out and doesnt bother you that much , just leave it alone like i do. hope that helps
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From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
Originally posted by my E430 rocket
y don't u fix it...do u mean the fog?
y don't u fix it...do u mean the fog?
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
Originally posted by Maja216
My e 420 does this from time to time but its my own fault the 12 inch woofers in the trunk vibrate the bulbs loose.
My e 420 does this from time to time but its my own fault the 12 inch woofers in the trunk vibrate the bulbs loose.
:p 
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From: Ramona, CA
1996 E320
I got fed up with sanding the bulb contacts every day, so I finally swapped out the '96 lenses with aftermarket 2001 E55 lenses. It took me about 3 hours. Most of the time was spent with the dremel. The outer piece fits without mods. The inner piece needs to be reshaped quite a bit. All in all, it looks 100% better and I'm glad I did it.
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From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
Originally posted by rp718
I got fed up with sanding the bulb contacts every day, so I finally swapped out the '96 lenses with aftermarket 2001 E55 lenses. It took me about 3 hours. Most of the time was spent with the dremel. The outer piece fits without mods. The inner piece needs to be reshaped quite a bit. All in all, it looks 100% better and I'm glad I did it.
I got fed up with sanding the bulb contacts every day, so I finally swapped out the '96 lenses with aftermarket 2001 E55 lenses. It took me about 3 hours. Most of the time was spent with the dremel. The outer piece fits without mods. The inner piece needs to be reshaped quite a bit. All in all, it looks 100% better and I'm glad I did it.
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From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
Originally posted by rp718
You should've used a Dremel!
You should've used a Dremel!
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From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
it DOES matter!
Originally posted by Maja216
It matters not what tool you use as long as you got it in!!!
Live by these words my friends.
It matters not what tool you use as long as you got it in!!!
Live by these words my friends.
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From: Ramona, CA
1996 E320
Originally posted by Whitey
Call me **** but I just had to get it on once I bought it - it was late at nite and I don't have a dremel......
Call me **** but I just had to get it on once I bought it - it was late at nite and I don't have a dremel......
I'm wondering since mine were A-M that the plastic housing was a little different than MB part.
I had to grind away in four different areas.
Two of the areas i had to actually grind all the way through the plastic.
As a sidenote, I ordered the lenses online, and the boneheads sent me two sets of rightside lenses. One set with a smoke turnsignal (E55) and one with clear (E320/430). Luckily, they weren't too far away that i couldn't just go exchange them.
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From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
Original MB......can't remember how many places I cut it, I just went crazy on it and was glad it went in flush in the end (also almost hit the reflectors in some parts).
