1 malfunction

[Old Otto]

hi,
the 01 e320 just flashed this:
1 malfunction
check lamp
lamp defective

what lamp praytell could they be talking about?
headlights and such are working fine.

my center light in the the instrument cluster is out, but thats been out. no way it can b talking about that can it? this malfunction error just started.

[E300POS]

I had three or four go within a week or 10 days. The first was the headlight. I replaced both with new silver stars. Then, the small marker light on the fender went out. I replace it and then later another malfunction light. It took a while but I found one of the license plate lights out. You may want to check at night since some of the smaller ones are difficult to see in bright daylight.

[sokoloff]

The brake lights have a tendency to lose contact and that will trigger it. Also check the third brake light.

Len

[mjhawkins2346]

I have the same ( apparent ) issue bedeviling me.

It seems that the electrical system measures the circuit for the brakelights and finds them wanting sometimes -- and gives me this same error.

It is way too sensitive. All the bulbs are working.

I think there is a little bit too much resistance ( or, less likely, too little ) and the error is generated. If I fuss with the bulbs - taking them in and out, swapping holders from side to side, cleaning contacts and contact points - it seems to leave me alone a few days, but no more than that.

I think I'm going to change out the stop light/tail light bulds for new to see if that helps ( 21/4W ? )

[mjhawkins2346]

Well, I changed out the bulbs this weekend.

No dice.

A few miles down the road, shortly after applying the brakes, the Malfunction alert came on signaling a bulb failure.

Something is out of range, or barely in range somewhere in the circuit.

Has anyone else with this problem found a solution? or a way to diagnose?

[E Wagon]

Have you check the ground connections? make sure all connections are tight and not corroded.

I used a scotchbright pad to polish the contact plates for my brake turn and tail lights.

[sokoloff]

If it's a brake light, you need to work the buddy plan. Have someone depress the brake pedal while you jiggle the offending brake light bulb. If it flickers on/off, then you need to pull the bulb holder and either replace it or fiddle with the contacts so that it makes constant contact.

Len

[Carlo$]

[BENZDOC]

be sure to use the proper wattage bulbs. more than likely the tail lights melted. when the socket is removed, look at the galvanized metal on the light, not the socket . the brake socket hole has 3 contacts. they must be even. one is probably sunken in. they can be "propped" back out , just use something that can handle some heat. be very sure all contact are very clean, socket and metal strips, and keep your foot off the pedal when it's not required. i have a customer that was stuck in 4 hour traffic and both tail lights melted! benz needs to rethink their plastic recipe.... kev

[mjhawkins2346]

I replaced my stoplight bulbs with 2 new 21/4w's and cleaned the contacts on the holders carefully, and then used alchohol on the contact points to make sure there was no grease.

I also took some emery cloth to the contact points on the tailight assembly as well as the 3 points on the holders.

I sprayed contact cleaner into the plug assembly - both sides male and female.

I didn't check the 3 points positionally. There could be a sunken contact.

I'm still having "1 Malfunction", "Check Lights" error occasionally right after using the brake pedal.

It is frustrating.