[s-cars] Bulb Monitor

[AUDIJIM at aol.com]

I had a problem the other day ('93 S4) with an indication on the  Instrument 
Cluster (IC). I started the car and immediately got the upside down  light 
bulb with the "X" through it. I thought it would go out after a  little time, it 
didn't, so I pulled over and I had a driver side  taillight out (both bulbs) I 
was on my way to Uncle Bob Pastore's house to crash  for the night. I had a 
job interview in NYC the next day. I didn't want to  chance getting pulled over 
for a stupid taillight, so I headed back home (I was  only about a mile or so 
from HQ) I ran to my parts bins and found two new 1157  bulbs. No help. I 
checked fuse 6, the fuse was good. I ran for the wiring  diagram and found the 
bulb monitor (under the hood) was next in line. I ran  again to my parts bins 
and found a spare bulb monitor and replaced. Now  everything worked! How often 
do these go bad? Today, I get the same IC  indication. It's annoying as hell by 
the way. So I replaced all the taillight  bulbs with the correct type (7528 
bulb) and still no help. I had 1157 bulbs in  there before remember. I still 
get the Indication on the IC. So I removed the  bulb monitor and cleaned the 
contacts with a mini stainless steel brush and  sprayed it down with contact 
cleaner. Everything works great again. WTF? Has  anyone else had this problem? Of 
course it happens right before the dream job  interview!
 
Unemployed again and crossing my fingers!
 
Jim (S4cylinder)