Headlights Always On and Won't Turn Off
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C63
Headlights Always On and Won't Turn Off
I have a 2001 C320. I have stock headlights and even though I always keep them on "auto", they never turn off, even during the day. If I turn the knob to "0" to turn them off completely, they STILL stay on. Does anyone know what might be wrong? This has been happening for a while now. I never really cared, but I just bought a set of 2005 headlights since they look better. I figured since I'm going to be replacing them anyway, I might as well get the headlights fixed while I'm at it.
Also, can I just go to any car modding place and get HIDs put in? Will it work, or do I have to do something special? Do they require special bulbs, or just the regular HID kits they sell at the shop (non-mercedes shop)?
Thanks guy.
Also, can I just go to any car modding place and get HIDs put in? Will it work, or do I have to do something special? Do they require special bulbs, or just the regular HID kits they sell at the shop (non-mercedes shop)?
Thanks guy.
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From: Fremont / Irvine, CA
07 c230 sport
Thread Starter
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C63
i thought DRL was an option that you could turn off and if I wanted everything off, all I had to do was switch it to "0". I work valet when I'm not in class and a lot of cars have a spot specifically for DRL and then the normal auto, off, and on.
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From: Michigan
W203-4M W163
It's working correctly. Daylight headlights reduce collisions dramatically according to several studies. It's cheap to replace the bulb (and very, very easy in a Mercedes). They're on for a very good reason--this is not a problem.
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From: Portland, Oregon
2016 GLE 350
If your DRLs are activated ----they are independent of the light switch and are triggered by the ignition being/on/off...
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2007 c230
is it a seperate bulb or just the highbeams at a dimmed level?
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WTF everyone telling him it is normal. Unless he lives in Canada, it is not normal. This "DRL" stuff on the W203 is complete BS. Setting the lights to "ON" in the IC results in running all exterior and interior lights all the time. DRL should be reduced intensity and not run the tails and cluster lights, IMO. To answer your question, if the DRL is enabled on your car it is running your low beams at full intensity as well as your marker and taillights.
Look in the settings in the instrument cluster. In my car it says "headlamps" "on" "manual". This is for DRL. Make sure it is set to "manual".
If it is set to normal and your headlights won't go off even with the headlight switch at "0", and you don't live in Canada, then you have a problem. And you'll need to fix it before installing HID or they'll run 100% of the time and reduce life.
Look in the settings in the instrument cluster. In my car it says "headlamps" "on" "manual". This is for DRL. Make sure it is set to "manual".
If it is set to normal and your headlights won't go off even with the headlight switch at "0", and you don't live in Canada, then you have a problem. And you'll need to fix it before installing HID or they'll run 100% of the time and reduce life.
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1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
Matt, we've touched on this before. I have actual DRLs that are lesser than my low beams, and don't run my tail lights or my cluster lights. That's the headlights = constant setting.
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
In the menu (cluster) you can set your headlight to "constant" or "manual".
When you set them on "constant" no matter what the knob is on it will be on (only front lights-at least I noticed)
Set it to Manual and turn the knob to "Auto"
When you set them on "constant" no matter what the knob is on it will be on (only front lights-at least I noticed)
Set it to Manual and turn the knob to "Auto"
Last edited by W203E35; Sep 23, 2009 at 02:37 AM.
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THE C350
lilbenz230 that is how it is supposed to work. and +1 for the owners manual i know it is in there. the only reason i use the setting is because it is not good for the hids to be turned on and off any time you drive in shade. and yes i am to lazy to turn the lights on manually at night or in the rain. i also don't think that it will wear out anything that much faster to make any difference to me.
Last edited by samaritrey; Sep 23, 2009 at 03:15 AM.
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lilbenz230 that is how it is supposed to work. and +1 for the owners manual i know it is in there. the only reason i use the setting is because it is not good for the hids to be turned on and off any time you drive in shade. and yes i am to lazy to turn the lights on manually at night or in the rain. i also don't think that it will wear out anything that much faster to make any difference to me.
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THE C350
oh well i like how it works so i don't care. and what is up with your Atheists united pic? btw i like it.
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2012 C300 4Matic
I'm pretty sure all of the lights turn on (haven't tried that option since I bought my car.) I'm not sure how Mercedes got away with calling them DRLs. If only the headlights or city lights turned on as DRLs I would have the feature turned on.
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
I also believe as a safety feature the surround light might turn on at night time. Because people will tend to forget to turn it on.
Last edited by W203E35; Sep 23, 2009 at 03:40 AM.
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It took me a while to find my atheist logo. I'm a (very) proud, lifelong atheist. I consider myself fortunate to have parents who taught me that questions are healthy and patriotic, that education is vital, that compassion is an extremely important virtue, and that leading a good life and being a good person have absolutely nothing to do with religion unless you want it to. I do not.
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The odds arent good. But the odds to this are very good. There is a setting for surround lights. Drew's and Karo's might have been "Off" while your's and Matt's were set "On"
I also believe as a safety feature the surround light might turn on at night time. Because people will tend to forget to turn it on.
I also believe as a safety feature the surround light might turn on at night time. Because people will tend to forget to turn it on.
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2012 C300 4Matic
The "Surround Lighting" option is AKA "Locator Lighting" having this on causes the lights to turn on when you unlock your car at night (with the lighting set to auto). It has nothing to do with the DRL option.
Having said that, the book also states that setting "Hdlamp mode" to constant will cause the headlamps ONLY to switch on when the engine is on. It says that "In low ambient lighting conditions the following lamps will switch on additionally: [markers, license plate lights, etc]."
EDIT: sorry lilbenz, I was typing this when you made your last two posts. I'll have to give this a try tomorrow ... if memory serves you are correct, all of my lights turn on as well.
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It took me a while to find my atheist logo. I'm a (very) proud, lifelong atheist. I consider myself fortunate to have parents who taught me that questions are healthy and patriotic, that education is vital, that compassion is an extremely important virtue, and that leading a good life and being a good person have absolutely nothing to do with religion unless you want it to. I do not.
my parents also let me and my twin sister question everything and didn't force us to do anything we did not believe in. i think three of the most important things in life are to educate yourself, think for yourself and respect others.
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
WOW..... This is funny....
So basically when it's on constant and it's light outside it's just headlamps and when it gets dark the rear light turn on.
Thanks for straightening that out
So basically when it's on constant and it's light outside it's just headlamps and when it gets dark the rear light turn on.
Thanks for straightening that out
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