1994 460 GLE: Light bulb dash symbol

RiKardo94 · Post by **RiKardo94** » 28 Apr 2011, 08:23

Hi everyone! I have a question about a symbol on my dashboard. Its an orange symbol, showing one of my light bulbs are blown, but when I press the brake pedal, it dissapears. Is that normal or is there a way to fix it?

Thanks in advance, folks!

Richard

Post by **billofdurham** » 29 Apr 2011, 12:14

This is normal on the 4 series. It is a check on the bulb failure system.

Bill.

RiKardo94 · Post by **RiKardo94** » 29 Apr 2011, 12:28

Ok, I was worried for a bit there.

Thanks for clearing that up, Bill!

Richard

Skinkehunden · Post by **Skinkehunden** » 26 May 2011, 19:26

You should also be aware, that installing two bulbs with different wattage (e.g. rear-light bulbs) can trigger the bulb failure even if you visually can't see any difference upon expecting the car.

Post by **billofdurham** » 27 May 2011, 12:10

The bulb failure sensor works on pairs of bulbs and will detect any difference in wattage, one bulb out with the other working and can also detect differences in the age of the bulbs so it is advised to always replace them in pairs. One other bit of advice, never put a silver capped bulb with a bronze capped bulb as the sensor can pick this up and give a false signal.

Bill.

Post by **QuirkySwede** » 25 Feb 2014, 01:07

billofdurham wrote:The bulb failure sensor works on pairs of bulbs and will detect any difference in wattage, one bulb out with the other working and can also detect differences in the age of the bulbs so it is advised to always replace them in pairs. One other bit of advice, never put a silver capped bulb with a bronze capped bulb as the sensor can pick this up and give a false signal.
Bill.

That and more...
"Volvo Bulb Guide and Cross-Reference"
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=61483

On older vehicles with more than one owner, heck even if one owner, not uncommon for someone to install the wrong bulb (see part 1.) leading to the mismatch situation billofdurham described. The sensor/module can work in different ways, but usually it's when the affected circuit is activated (park, turn, brake, etc.), though some may come on if brake lights on both sides are out.

So for anyone getting that dash indicator, the two simple things to do are to note when it comes on, and check to make sure bulbs are the correct ones and matched.