Lamp Malfunction - but all are working I think

[vladhd]

About the small bulbs that light at first click, I checked them (meaning I pulled them off the socket and see if there is any corrosion, and see if I move them a liitle if they get dimmer, like an imperfect contact, which is not the case, they seem to sit very tight). also done that for the rear position bulbs.
But now, fog lights are not ok. I already done what you said. I measured the wires in front of the car, and there is nothing there (not 12V). Finnaly I checked all the fuses to see which they receive power when I turn on the fog lights (cause I have no fuse list inside the car, found out that it's the second fuse from right to left, upper row), which is ok. So I jumped to the conclusion that the switch is working, so the fuse.
Now comes the really hard part, tracing the wire from the beginnig to the end, but I will do it in about 2 weeks from now.
And the warning light was dimming cause was not in the right position in the instrument cluster, as now does not light any more.
Now, I am not sure about what you said. The bulbs ca not be wired in series, cause if one was missing, or burned, all of them should stop working until you replace it. Second, if that were the case, we should not have to use 12 V bulbs, but smaller voltage bulbs. Third, there would be no ground connection for all the bulbs.
Well, that's all for now. Anyone had problems with the fog wires? I have no idea where they go!

[vladhd]

Another thing. Just red something in another forum. A diagnostic pattern, and I will copy/paste it here, hope "gregs210" will not mind. Anyway, credits to gregs210, not to me:

Hey, folks.

This comes up from time to time, you get the lamp error or lamp malfunction warning, but can't find the bulb. Aside from the suspect issues re: foglight connectors and taillight sockets, here's a test to help isolate the circuit to check.

For each circuit let the "test cycle" last 5 seconds or so before proceeding.

Get in and close the door, start the car.

Step on the brake (stoplights - BOTH bulbs, including CHMBL). If no error, continue.

Foot still on the brake, engage reverse (back-up lights). If no error, put it in park and release the brake pedal, continue.

Turn on the left turn signal (F&R drivers' side turn signal bulbs). If no error, turn off the LT signal and continue.

Turn on the right turn signal (F&R passenger side turn signal bulbs). If no error, turn off the RT signal and continue.

Turn the headlight switch one click to the right (running lights: city lights, marker lights, taillights). If no error, continue.

Turn the headlight switch one more click to the right (headlights). If no error, continue.

Pull the headlight switch out one notch (front fog lights). If no error, continue.

Pull the headlight switch out one more notch (rear fog light). If no error, why are you doing this test?

If your error is intermittent and hard to replicate, my best guess is to look at the taillight sockets issue. Pull each one and inspect/clean/replace as necessary. If the bulbs have a shadow/cast to them replace them as a preventative measure.

Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg



So, this now helps me prove my point. If Greg is right, I should not get an error if I don't turn on the fog lights, so now I am back to where I started... marker lights, tail lights, or whatever they are called. Sh|t.

Hope this helps.

[kyxapka]

Had the same issue after replacing a burned out bulb – brake or tail don’t remember. Someone told me that’s because the bulb is from the auto parts store and not from the dealer. Alright, let’s for a minute believe this - manual doesn’t specify it has to be the bulb from this specific manufacturer, but who cares - dealer is across the street from work. Let’s quickly eliminate this nonsense. Got the bulb from dealer. Same issue.
So, long story short – went to Wal-Mart, picked up cleaning supplies for electric contacts, small metal brush and electric grease. Took apart all the connections/contacts. Scraped, cleaned, brushed, greased them. Put everything back. No Lamp Malfunction message anymore. And that’s with the bulb from the auto store. So I still have spare that I purchase from the dealer for $9. Cleaning supplies cost me less.

[vladhd]

Yesterday, my brother came to visit me, so we went out a little bit, with his car (w210, e220 2001, many things the same with my car). He has LCD multifunctional display, and he showed me his 1 malfunction: 1 lamp. Almost started laughing. But, not like me, he knows whats missing: 1 tail/ parking light. When we arrived home, as I was watching him park, I noticed all his rear lights were fine, and I told him. So, he showed me that he has 2 bulbs on each side, one simple (5w, I think) and one combined with the brake light, and thought, ... "ok, whatever".
Just this morning the little wheels in my brain started moving just a little, and finally realize that my car also could have 2 parking bulbs on each side. Next thought, was that I am stupid that I did not see this before, or at least last night. Now I am starting to confort myself cause I don't have a manual, and that both are missing so I couldn't notice any "rear" disproportions, but still......
Now I am just waiting for the car to come back from work, so I can test this.
Will keep you updated!

[vladhd]

Hello. It's me ,....., again!
I bought 2 bulbs, and when I restarted the car, after I turned on the lights on the first click, everything was ok! I fixed the problem with the park/position lights. Finally.
I was soooo relieved.
.....But....
But than, I turned on the low beam and it came right back on, so now I am really getting angry. Cause this is really stupid. I have only 2 headlights, 1 bulb for each side, both H7, both working, and the freakin' indicator comes on again. I tried with different bulbs (took the ones from high beam, since they are also H7), no change. Now I'm really sad!

[lodownlv]

so the question is when you turn the switch one click the warning doesn't happen but when you click it in position 2 the warning comes on? if so get 2 new h7 bulbs and put them in the low beam socket make sure you get osram/sulvania bulbs. the thing is when bulbs start going, usually the others are going with it. like i said before when clients have these issues, i usually change the small parking light bulbs in the front the 2 rear licence plate bulbs and the low beam bulbs. high beams usually are good. i also clean and re grease all the harnesses with dielectric grease including the brake lite sockes, its also a good idea to bend the pins in the socket a bit to make good contact. also make sure that the bulbs in the brake lite lockets match and the contacts on the brake bulbs are oval and not warn down.

[vladhd]

Yes, the second click is now the problem. Bulbs are new. Not osram, but new, and the plugs look fine, not corroded. Anyway, kind of sick of the "lamp malfunction". Eventually I'll take it out.
I'll try with contact-spray to see.