"Light Malfunction" indicator, but NO lights out

[SlickShift]

One out of every two or three times I turn on my car, I'll get the warning light that there's a lightbulb out somewhere on the exterior of the car. After looking around, there aren't any lights out. Has anyone else had this happen to them?

[doublevanosrc]

Maybe one of the corona rings is out??

[FJUNO78]

i remember this happened to me... brought it in and they replaced it. The SA said if the light is on it's way out, the indicator can go off even before it burns out.

It sounded like bs to me, but whatever over a year later, no issues.

Also, did you check the brake lights that go extra bright when you brake hard?

[Bill B.]

Originally Posted by FJUNO78

i remember this happened to me... brought it in and they replaced it. The SA said if the light is on it's way out, the indicator can go off even before it burns out.

It sounded like bs to me, but whatever over a year later, no issues.

Also, did you check the brake lights that go extra bright when you brake hard?

Just a theory, but if there is some current threshold detection being used, and as the filament evaporates its resistance increases. Perhaps that could push the filament under the threshold current causing the indicator to show a burned out bulb while the bulb is "on it's way out".

Anyway, OP should also check your turn signals, too.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by FJUNO78

i remember this happened to me... brought it in and they replaced it. The SA said if the light is on it's way out, the indicator can go off even before it burns out.

It sounded like bs to me, but whatever over a year later, no issues.

Also, did you check the brake lights that go extra bright when you brake hard?

+1. The " bulb check system" will report a light bulb going out way before it actually fails. One of your light bulbs is on its way out.

One should also use "like bulbs" when say replacing brake/turn signals bulbs, bc other wise you will still have a bulb warning due to the different resistance between the two bulbs (old and new, brand A vs brand B)

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

+1. The " bulb check system" will report a light bulb going out way before it actually fails. One of your light bulbs is on its way out.

Cool stuff!!

[SlickShift]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

+1. The " bulb check system" will report a light bulb going out way before it actually fails. One of your light bulbs is on its way out.

Of course this warning light comes on as I pass 50K miles. The non-warranty self-destruct has begun.

[1ToBeOn2Wheels]

Originally Posted by SlickShift

Of course this warning light comes on as I pass 50K miles. The non-warranty self-destruct has begun.

Don't be so melodramatic--a bulb replacement is about as expensive as filling your tires with air. Keep up with regular and preventative maintenance and you'll be fine.

[Lexington]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

Cool stuff!!

Sounds high tech but on the other hand when my right side tail light went out I didn't get any warning notice before during or after. Only by the driver behind me.

[NewYearsBoy]

Originally Posted by SlickShift

Of course this warning light comes on as I pass 50K miles. The non-warranty self-destruct has begun.

Originally Posted by 1ToBeOn2Wheels

Don't be so melodramatic--a bulb replacement is about as expensive as filling your tires with air. Keep up with regular and preventative maintenance and you'll be fine.

Same happen to me and BMW told me the mechanism that moved the lights when you turn the wheel had failed. They had to replace the light system... So it could have been a lot worse still in warranty when I had it.