A method for controlling a motor vehicle locking mechanism and to a motor vehicle locking mechanism, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a control unit, at least one electric drive that can be controlled by the control unit, and at least one illuminant that can be associated with the locking mechanism, the illuminant being controllable in accordance with a status of the locking mechanism and/or of a vehicle component accommodating the locking mechanism, said status being detectable by the control unit, the illuminant being integrated into a switching circuit of the electric drive.