Well ever since I fitted hid headlamps about a year ago I've had an error warning on the dash, strange thing was it said rear left tail light out. I checked the tail light and all seemed well so I just put this down to a quirk caused by the hid kit needing coded, although always found it a bit weird it took about a week to appear. Never really bothered me that much although must admit was a bit annoying at times having an almost new car with a lamp out warning and having to explain When folk went...oh look you've got a lamp out.

WELL...the other evening I pulled up outside my house and the girlfriend pulled up behind me. We get out our cars and she says "do you know you have a bulb out on the passenger tail light?" Of course I went n looked and all was well until she pointed out each side has 3 little lights n one was out on the left lamp, meaning it was still well illuminated but you could see if u knew what u were lookin for. Got a new bulb and fitted it, no more error code and happy hid life.

A year of what I claimed never bothered me but deep inside tore me apart is finally over...YES!!

Edited 28 November, 201312 yr by IainMcDade

Apparently if a tail light fails, the car just sends a lower voltage to one of the brake lights to use that as a tail light - clever eh.  

 

Perhaps that's why you didn't notice it for a while?