I'm still sorting out some minor problems or issues on my 1987 420SEL... when I turn on the parking lights or headlights, the 'bulb out' dash warning light comes on. I've checked all parking lights, headlights, turn signals, tail lights and brake lights; all seem okay. I did notice that when I turn on the right or left 'parking' light, nothing comes on.
What might be the problem with the warning light coming on when all bulbs are functioning, but the 'parking' feature isn't working?
Thank you,
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Richard / E320
2001 M-B E320 / Glacier White / Java Leather / 18" AMG Style III & Bridgestone Potenza's
My guess is the license plate lamps, under the lip of the trunk. Not something many check, and you didn't mention them in your list. Since these only come on w/ headlights and parking lights, it would make sense. The left/right parking lights do the same as the first "right" click of the headlight switch, just on one side or the other. If the side markers (low filament of the turn signals) come on with the first right click, then I would think you'd still have the left/right parking lights.
Interesting that the "bulb out" lamp only lights when you have headlights/parking lights-- I would have thought it would be on constantly with any bulb out. Perhaps it's a fault somewhere else.
Good luck!
Dave
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1990 560 SEL, 130K. Smoke silver (702) on Champignon ("mushroom") leather (265). Minor mods: Euro lights, blacked out grille, Pioneer headunit w/ Polk db650 rears/doors, db1000 fronts, rear "dummy" lights activated as brake lights, 35% bronze tints, 15" 8-hole wheels, keyless entry system.
1983 300SD, 106K. Orient Red (501) on Java MB tex (154). SOLD
Mine behaves the same way, the 'bulb out' light comes on only when the bulb which is burned out is getting power. This is helpful in figuring out where to look, actually.
__________________ Kelly B '89 420 SEL, almost bone stock, 142K miles
Wife's ride: '02 Lexus RX300 AWD, all the options but a hitch, 65K miles
'99 Fleetwood Bounder Diesel 39Z diesel pusher motorhome, which has visited 10 Canadian provinces and 49 states under our ownership, 117K miles and many modifications
All bulbs may seem OK but are they matched? The bulb out sensor compares current draw for both sides. If, for instance, one taillight bulb draws more current than the other one, the sensor will light. This could explain why in either the left or right parking position, the bulb sensor does not light because no comparison takes place.
When replacing a bulb, it is always a good idea to replace both left and right with the same wattage from the same manufacturer.
Sounds like those parking lamp bulbs need to be examined closer. The bulb out feature is real sensitive.
Well, here's a lesson: never try to figure out what bulb might be bad in broad daylight! Checked everything out three times and all seemed okay, until I took a better look at dusk. Turns out the passenger-side rear marker light was bad; I didn't even see the bulb the way its tucked into the side of the light housing. Replaced bulb... light works, no warning light on dash!
Also, I discovered that the Left or Right Parking Light feature only works with the engine not running. When checking into the 'bulb out' problem, I had the engine running due to having all the lights turned on and didn't want any battery drain. Ignition cannot be in the 'on' position for the left or Right Parking Light feature.
Thanks to all...
Last edited by Richard / E320 : 05-15-2008 at 10:39 AM.
My guess is the license plate lamps, under the lip of the trunk. Not something many check, and you didn't mention them in your list. Since these only come on w/ headlights and parking lights, it would make sense. The left/right parking lights do the same as the first "right" click of the headlight switch, just on one side or the other. If the side markers (low filament of the turn signals) come on with the first right click, then I would think you'd still have the left/right parking lights.
License plate bulbs would be a good guess, as you don't really think about them when standing behind the vehicle looking at the tail lights hollering 'right turn signal', 'left turn signal', 'brakes', etc. Turned out to be the passenger rear side-marker... thanks for the suggestions...
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