When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I wasn't sure if that meant my canteen was empty or I was out of hand grenades so I looked in the owners manual and it says this means there is a bulb out. The warning light is no big deal but it comes with an associated high pitched warning screech that makes me want to drive the car into a brick wall. I checked out all the lights and sure enough the rear passenger side marker light was out. Nothing significant, whenever that light is on the light above it is on brighter so I was extremely annoyed this causes a level of alarm that makes the car unusable without ear plugs. A trip to the auto parts store and $4 later the problem is solved.
Fast forward 2 weeks and maybe 300 miles later and the same warning light and the ear torturing sound came back. I checked that same marker light, it still works. I checked and double checked every light, they all work. Headlights, high beams, fog lights, turn signals, brake lights, ...everything works. While doing this check I discovered when the headlights are on, low or high beam doesn't matter, the warning light and screech go away. If I turn off the headlights the warning light comes back on within 3 or 4 seconds.
I wasn't sure if that meant my canteen was empty or I was out of hand grenades so I looked in the owners manual and it says this means there is a bulb out. The warning light is no big deal but it comes with an associated high pitched warning screech that makes me want to drive the car into a brick wall. I checked out all the lights and sure enough the rear passenger side marker light was out. Nothing significant, whenever that light is on the light above it is on brighter so I was extremely annoyed this causes a level of alarm that makes the car unusable without ear plugs. A trip to the auto parts store and $4 later the problem is solved.
Fast forward 2 weeks and maybe 300 miles later and the same warning light and the ear torturing sound came back. I checked that same marker light, it still works. I checked and double checked every light, they all work. Headlights, high beams, fog lights, turn signals, brake lights, ...everything works. While doing this check I discovered when the headlights are on, low or high beam doesn't matter, the warning light and screech go away. If I turn off the headlights the warning light comes back on within 3 or 4 seconds.
What is going on?
But I think some of the rear red lights have multiple bulbs. So you may think they are working but one of the bulbs is burnt out. Compare the illumination of the red lights (braking and tail), one side to the other, to see if there is a difference in brightness on both sides.
Usually, this only informs you of a brake light being out. LED's used instead of incandescent buld usually give undefined results such as what you may be experiencing. Or a corroded socket or interconnection somewhere. VCDS diagnostics may help you here.
About 2 months after my bulb warning light came on intermittently one of my headlights went out. I don't know if that was causing the warning light or not. The bulb warning light stopped coming on before the headlight went out so it could be coincidence.
The bulb warning does not come on with a headlight out which seems like the opposite of what it should do.
I had the same problem. Bulb warning when braking, didn't happen when headlights are on. Changed all bulbs, cleaned contacts, but it continued. Sometimes it would go away for a while, then it would come back with the associated high-pitched squeal.
I pulled the taillights again and saw that there is a wire that connects to a ground rail with a rivet that wasn't very secure. I wiggled it side to side to remove corrosion, then jammed it to one side where it felt tight. I did both sides and the warning immediately stopped and hasn't happened for months. If it happens again I might just try to solder the wire to the rail or attach it with a bolt and nut.
04-06-2018, 04:28 PM
Bulb Out Warning Light
