Blown bulb ?

[kikkthecat]

I hope someone can help me here cos I'm stumped.

The bulb warning light on the dash comes on when I switch the lights on, I've seen this before and replaced a blown bulb, however this time I cant find one that's gone, and I think I've checked everything, side lights, headlights dip and main, front and rear fog, brakes, all indicators, all interior, boot and glove box.

Either I'm missing something or it's a problem elswhere. It's nothing more than annoying at the moment but I'd appreciate some help.

[Sp!ke]

Mebbe a 'stealth' bulb like number plate bulb or something.

More often its an indication that a bulb is gonna blow or one of the connectors is dirty/corroded and the resistance is higher. (need to check all the bulbs for darkened lense or cr@p on the connector)

[andy_k]

I'll bet it's one of the rear light clusters that's playing up, as Spike says, take them out and clean the contacts.

I've got exactly the same problem on my W124 estate and everytime I take the cluster out and clean it the fix lasts for about 2 weeks before the bulb warning light re-appears - some things you just end up living with :)

Andy

[Shude]

I used to get that off a Halfords bulb, it was technically the correct type but it never seated properly in the bulb holder, the bulb itself still worked fine.

[Steve_Perry]

I usually find that the 'Blown bulb' light really means that you'll suffer a bulb failure in about 4 days :devil: Though it never picked up on a blown number plate illumination light last year whilst on the Germany trip.

S.

[sym]

Though it never picked up on a blown number plate illumination light last year whilst on the Germany trip.
S.

You're right Steve. . . . that lamp is a waste of time ! Far more useful to have somebody following you with an eye for useless detail eh' ;)

S.

[Steve_Perry]

You're right Steve. . . . that lamp is a waste of time ! Far more useful to have somebody following you with an eye for useless detail eh' ;)

S.Too true Sym ;) Perhaps I should have paid you for being on 'bulb watch' duty :p

Though I am tempted to replace the festoon bulbs for the rear number plate and small bulbs in side indicator repeater with hyper bright LED bulbs :devil: Hopefully it won't affect the circuit too much to illuminate the blown bulb circuit. Hmm maybe the interior illumination festoon bulbs could go the same way too :p

S.

[miro]

Too true Sym ;) Perhaps I should have paid you for being on 'bulb watch' duty :p

Though I am tempted to replace the festoon bulbs for the rear number plate and small bulbs in side indicator repeater with hyper bright LED bulbs :devil: Hopefully it won't affect the circuit too much to illuminate the blown bulb circuit. Hmm maybe the interior illumination festoon bulbs could go the same way too :p

S.

Dont mess about. Go for the 100,000 hour solution.

http://www.lumileds.com

[kikkthecat]

Thanks for the replies lads, I'll check it out tomorrow starting with the rear clusters, assuming this rain stops :(

But Spike, I like the "it's an indication a bulb is going to blow" I'd never have thought of that in a million years :D

[andy_k]

my guess goes on the nearside rear cluster :)

Andy