Light Sensor - Drive To Workshop!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 236
From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Time to bump this old thread. Anyways, I got too tied up with other things and forgot about this. The weather got warmer, and now this problem has completely disappeared. Fingers crossed that it won't magically reappear in the winter. Thanks for all those who replied. Will give an update if this problem shows up again.
I'm still scratching my head and wondering if and how it would be possible for a VR to fail *only* when it's cold? Unless there's a hairline crack somewhere in the circuitry..
I'm still scratching my head and wondering if and how it would be possible for a VR to fail *only* when it's cold? Unless there's a hairline crack somewhere in the circuitry..
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
c180k se
YIPPEEE - FIXED IT!!
Ok, I had exactly the same error - mornings when cold and occasionally at random times - "Light sensor failure - drive to workshop". Read the forums... Took my 2004 C180K SE to the local garage and had the battery "load" tested. Battery was in fine shape. During lunch yesterday took a knife and spoon handle to the control panel located by the rear view mirror in the ceiling, popped the covers off, re-seated (un-plugged and re-plugged) all the connectors that plug into the mini computer thats located in that area... YIPEEE FIXED!! Happy days!! 
Howard :-)
Howard :-)
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Mercedes Benz C 200
same sensor problem
Hi I am Annette from South Africa. I have the same problem, workshop says nothing is wrong. The car battles to start and the light sensor warning sends me to workshop. How did YOU solve the problem? Thank you.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Mercedes C200 Coupe -2001
Licht sensor MB C200 Coupe
Hey,
I just bought a mercedes C200 coupe from 2001, im not so sure it was a great purchase. I have had 2 MB earlier versons from around 1990 and they worked great. All this new electrical stuff scares me =)
It has The "Licht sensor, visit workshop" message.
I live in Sweden and this car is imported after about one year from Germany at the beginning of 2003, thats ofc. why it says Licht and not light I presume.
My question, does my Mb have a light sensor for switcing on/off the lights, i dont think so but i really dont know to be honest, its my wife who drives the car so I havent really examined it.
I find very little about this problem on the internet, Mercedes in Sweden support basically suck unless I spent alot of money on this old car which i dont wanna of course , can someone help me on the way here?
i have no problems with the car, no starting problems or no lights going nutz or similar as a few other people in this thread.
Best regards
/Per
I just bought a mercedes C200 coupe from 2001, im not so sure it was a great purchase. I have had 2 MB earlier versons from around 1990 and they worked great. All this new electrical stuff scares me =)
It has The "Licht sensor, visit workshop" message.
I live in Sweden and this car is imported after about one year from Germany at the beginning of 2003, thats ofc. why it says Licht and not light I presume.
My question, does my Mb have a light sensor for switcing on/off the lights, i dont think so but i really dont know to be honest, its my wife who drives the car so I havent really examined it.
I find very little about this problem on the internet, Mercedes in Sweden support basically suck unless I spent alot of money on this old car which i dont wanna of course , can someone help me on the way here?
i have no problems with the car, no starting problems or no lights going nutz or similar as a few other people in this thread.
Best regards
/Per
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
I haven't seen a w203 that didn't have auto headlights. Look at the switch it should have an auto setting. So yes it should have a light sensor but make sure your electrical system is good because that seems to be a common cause.
Last edited by samaritrey; Nov 18, 2015 at 12:29 PM.
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
2002 C240
Had this issue with the "light sensor" visit workshop show up on my display years ago. Had my battery load tested and turned my battery was not 100% causing the "light sensor" warning. Would show up on the display once in a while, usually after the car was not used for 10-12 hours or more. Once the battery was replaced this warning never appeared again. That was about 8 years ago.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 236
From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Yes, the error is cause by low system voltage. This can be from either a poor battery or a failed voltage regulator. For me it was the VR that needed replacing, but for some, a new battery did the trick. Interestingly enough I have not heard of a failed light sensor actually causing the problem. The car just thinks the sensor has failed when there isn't enough voltage.
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Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Canary Islands, Spain
Sportcoupe SE C180K + SC C180K Indianapolis
I have a similar problem. The lights from de right ( passenger side are flashing) and before that the license plate right side ( driver side) it started flashing until it even burned the inside support of it. Do someone think the VR or the alternator would be the problem?
During the day I'll have a look at the voltage and see the limits it's running.
During the day I'll have a look at the voltage and see the limits it's running.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
C230
Issue Resolved on C230
This error came up when i started experiencing low Voltage on my battery. I tried charging the battery and realized i needed to replace it.
I replaced by battery and and the error never came up again.
I replaced by battery and and the error never came up again.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Mercedes R500
Just had this issue after my battery died (the hatch did close completely during some extremely cold conditions). I checked with my iCarsoft MB2 scanner and saw some history codes all relating to voltage. So all signs point to a weakened battery. Those big group 49 batteries are pricey but swapping the battery fixed every single low-voltage issue and cleared that light sensor error.
