In the last two weeks I have encountered a "Lamp Defective" message a few times. The message is intermitant. It comes on when I engage the brakes. After I shut off the car for a few minutes the message may not appear again for several times of running. Then a few days later the message appears again. Bad bulb? Why would it be intermittent? Bad connection? I have removed and reinstalled both stop light bulbs. When I am at home all stop light bulbs work. Suggestions?
Vern, check for a flat spot on the base of the lamps. It looks like someone filed the base at an angle. If that's the case simply install new Osram/Sylvania lamps. I've experienced this phenomenon in our 124 cars.
Various forums have reported this problem with the W210's. On my car I found the base in the tail light assembly was defective. When I backed off the socket that holds the bulb a few degrees of rotation the problem went away (the bulb fits into a separate socket that bayonets into the lens assembly on the W210). Someday I will get a new lens assembly.
Same thing with me. Every couple of years I get that lamp defective message too. Have to rotate the offending brake light bulb until I find the sweet spot and then I'm good to go again.
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When the message comes out again, have someone step on the brakes so you can inspect which side is not working while the engine is running or the key in the #2 position. Use fine sand paper on both bulb socket contacts and tail light housing contacts and put a small amount of contact greese.
If that doesn't fix it go to the diesel page and someone has posted the part number for the bulb socket a while back.