W203 facelift; poor Multi-function display illumination
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Joined: Jul 2017
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Mercedes C220 CDI Avant Garde SE Estate (2004)
W203 facelift; poor Multi-function display illumination
Hi,
I've read a small number of threads that 'sort of' relate to this type of problem in general, but not specifically to my model and without any concrete resolution. So I thought I'd start a new thread with some specific details and see if anyone has any thoughts.
I've recently bought a W203 Avantagrde SE Estate (late 2004, facelift). The multi-function display is very difficult to read in daylight though (sometimes almost impossible) due its very low level of backlight illumination, and I'm wondering where the problem lies.
Note: Many discussions concern the older, pre-facelift display, which has well-documented issues and solutions. Mine is the later instrument cluster, consisting of four analogue dials and two, central LCD Panels which form the Multi-function display (MFD).
Here's what I know:
1) The instrument panel brighteness potentiometer/knob (which acts as a 'master' control for dashboard illumination and is situated to the lower left of the instrument binnacle) is turned all the way to its max setting.
2) The MFD's illumination brightness is automatically controlled according to the light falling on an ambient light sensor. After much careful investigation, I've found that this sensor is located just behind the face of the rev counter dial, at about the 120 degree (4 o'clock) position and roughly a centimeter from the centre of the dial. you can make out the circular window through which the sensor 'looks' by holding a bright light to the dial and looking at the reflection.
3) The sensor DOES work; either shielding it from the light or shining a torch at it does cause the MFD illumination to respond accordingly. At it's brightest (ie, with a a focused LED torch pointing directly at the sensor), the MFD is perfectly readable in daylight.
4) In daylight, winding down the driver's window results in a noticeable MFD brightenss increase, sometimes to the point where the display is acceptably readable. The sensor is obviously sensitive to wavelengths of light other than visible (either IR or UV), which the window glass blocks.
So ... is the sensor just getting old and has lost some of its original sensitivity to visible light? And if so can it be replaced? Or can the brightenss setting be recalibrated in software or with a circuit board-mounted trimmer? Or does the issue lie elsewhere?
In the general scheme of things this isn't exactly a huge issue; it's annoying though, and I'm curious as to the cause.
Thanks in advance for any light (pardon the pun) that anyone can throw on this.
I've read a small number of threads that 'sort of' relate to this type of problem in general, but not specifically to my model and without any concrete resolution. So I thought I'd start a new thread with some specific details and see if anyone has any thoughts.
I've recently bought a W203 Avantagrde SE Estate (late 2004, facelift). The multi-function display is very difficult to read in daylight though (sometimes almost impossible) due its very low level of backlight illumination, and I'm wondering where the problem lies.
Note: Many discussions concern the older, pre-facelift display, which has well-documented issues and solutions. Mine is the later instrument cluster, consisting of four analogue dials and two, central LCD Panels which form the Multi-function display (MFD).
Here's what I know:
1) The instrument panel brighteness potentiometer/knob (which acts as a 'master' control for dashboard illumination and is situated to the lower left of the instrument binnacle) is turned all the way to its max setting.
2) The MFD's illumination brightness is automatically controlled according to the light falling on an ambient light sensor. After much careful investigation, I've found that this sensor is located just behind the face of the rev counter dial, at about the 120 degree (4 o'clock) position and roughly a centimeter from the centre of the dial. you can make out the circular window through which the sensor 'looks' by holding a bright light to the dial and looking at the reflection.
3) The sensor DOES work; either shielding it from the light or shining a torch at it does cause the MFD illumination to respond accordingly. At it's brightest (ie, with a a focused LED torch pointing directly at the sensor), the MFD is perfectly readable in daylight.
4) In daylight, winding down the driver's window results in a noticeable MFD brightenss increase, sometimes to the point where the display is acceptably readable. The sensor is obviously sensitive to wavelengths of light other than visible (either IR or UV), which the window glass blocks.
So ... is the sensor just getting old and has lost some of its original sensitivity to visible light? And if so can it be replaced? Or can the brightenss setting be recalibrated in software or with a circuit board-mounted trimmer? Or does the issue lie elsewhere?
In the general scheme of things this isn't exactly a huge issue; it's annoying though, and I'm curious as to the cause.
Thanks in advance for any light (pardon the pun) that anyone can throw on this.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 734
Likes: 27
2021 Yukon XL Denali, 2017 GLS450 4MATIC, 1993 Chevy Corvette
Hi,
I've read a small number of threads that 'sort of' relate to this type of problem in general, but not specifically to my model and without any concrete resolution. So I thought I'd start a new thread with some specific details and see if anyone has any thoughts.
I've recently bought a W203 Avantagrde SE Estate (late 2004, facelift). The multi-function display is very difficult to read in daylight though (sometimes almost impossible) due its very low level of backlight illumination, and I'm wondering where the problem lies.
Note: Many discussions concern the older, pre-facelift display, which has well-documented issues and solutions. Mine is the later instrument cluster, consisting of four analogue dials and two, central LCD Panels which form the Multi-function display (MFD).
Here's what I know:
1) The instrument panel brighteness potentiometer/knob (which acts as a 'master' control for dashboard illumination and is situated to the lower left of the instrument binnacle) is turned all the way to its max setting.
2) The MFD's illumination brightness is automatically controlled according to the light falling on an ambient light sensor. After much careful investigation, I've found that this sensor is located just behind the face of the rev counter dial, at about the 120 degree (4 o'clock) position and roughly a centimeter from the centre of the dial. you can make out the circular window through which the sensor 'looks' by holding a bright light to the dial and looking at the reflection.
3) The sensor DOES work; either shielding it from the light or shining a torch at it does cause the MFD illumination to respond accordingly. At it's brightest (ie, with a a focused LED torch pointing directly at the sensor), the MFD is perfectly readable in daylight.
4) In daylight, winding down the driver's window results in a noticeable MFD brightenss increase, sometimes to the point where the display is acceptably readable. The sensor is obviously sensitive to wavelengths of light other than visible (either IR or UV), which the window glass blocks.
So ... is the sensor just getting old and has lost some of its original sensitivity to visible light? And if so can it be replaced? Or can the brightenss setting be recalibrated in software or with a circuit board-mounted trimmer? Or does the issue lie elsewhere?
In the general scheme of things this isn't exactly a huge issue; it's annoying though, and I'm curious as to the cause.
Thanks in advance for any light (pardon the pun) that anyone can throw on this.
I've read a small number of threads that 'sort of' relate to this type of problem in general, but not specifically to my model and without any concrete resolution. So I thought I'd start a new thread with some specific details and see if anyone has any thoughts.
I've recently bought a W203 Avantagrde SE Estate (late 2004, facelift). The multi-function display is very difficult to read in daylight though (sometimes almost impossible) due its very low level of backlight illumination, and I'm wondering where the problem lies.
Note: Many discussions concern the older, pre-facelift display, which has well-documented issues and solutions. Mine is the later instrument cluster, consisting of four analogue dials and two, central LCD Panels which form the Multi-function display (MFD).
Here's what I know:
1) The instrument panel brighteness potentiometer/knob (which acts as a 'master' control for dashboard illumination and is situated to the lower left of the instrument binnacle) is turned all the way to its max setting.
2) The MFD's illumination brightness is automatically controlled according to the light falling on an ambient light sensor. After much careful investigation, I've found that this sensor is located just behind the face of the rev counter dial, at about the 120 degree (4 o'clock) position and roughly a centimeter from the centre of the dial. you can make out the circular window through which the sensor 'looks' by holding a bright light to the dial and looking at the reflection.
3) The sensor DOES work; either shielding it from the light or shining a torch at it does cause the MFD illumination to respond accordingly. At it's brightest (ie, with a a focused LED torch pointing directly at the sensor), the MFD is perfectly readable in daylight.
4) In daylight, winding down the driver's window results in a noticeable MFD brightenss increase, sometimes to the point where the display is acceptably readable. The sensor is obviously sensitive to wavelengths of light other than visible (either IR or UV), which the window glass blocks.
So ... is the sensor just getting old and has lost some of its original sensitivity to visible light? And if so can it be replaced? Or can the brightenss setting be recalibrated in software or with a circuit board-mounted trimmer? Or does the issue lie elsewhere?
In the general scheme of things this isn't exactly a huge issue; it's annoying though, and I'm curious as to the cause.
Thanks in advance for any light (pardon the pun) that anyone can throw on this.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 3
W203
Hi,
I've read a small number of threads that 'sort of' relate to this type of problem in general, but not specifically to my model and without any concrete resolution. So I thought I'd start a new thread with some specific details and see if anyone has any thoughts.
I've recently bought a W203 Avantagrde SE Estate (late 2004, facelift). The multi-function display is very difficult to read in daylight though (sometimes almost impossible) due its very low level of backlight illumination, and I'm wondering where the problem lies.
Note: Many discussions concern the older, pre-facelift display, which has well-documented issues and solutions. Mine is the later instrument cluster, consisting of four analogue dials and two, central LCD Panels which form the Multi-function display (MFD).
Here's what I know:
1) The instrument panel brighteness potentiometer/knob (which acts as a 'master' control for dashboard illumination and is situated to the lower left of the instrument binnacle) is turned all the way to its max setting.
2) The MFD's illumination brightness is automatically controlled according to the light falling on an ambient light sensor. After much careful investigation, I've found that this sensor is located just behind the face of the rev counter dial, at about the 120 degree (4 o'clock) position and roughly a centimeter from the centre of the dial. you can make out the circular window through which the sensor 'looks' by holding a bright light to the dial and looking at the reflection.
3) The sensor DOES work; either shielding it from the light or shining a torch at it does cause the MFD illumination to respond accordingly. At it's brightest (ie, with a a focused LED torch pointing directly at the sensor), the MFD is perfectly readable in daylight.
4) In daylight, winding down the driver's window results in a noticeable MFD brightenss increase, sometimes to the point where the display is acceptably readable. The sensor is obviously sensitive to wavelengths of light other than visible (either IR or UV), which the window glass blocks.
So ... is the sensor just getting old and has lost some of its original sensitivity to visible light? And if so can it be replaced? Or can the brightenss setting be recalibrated in software or with a circuit board-mounted trimmer? Or does the issue lie elsewhere?
In the general scheme of things this isn't exactly a huge issue; it's annoying though, and I'm curious as to the cause.
Thanks in advance for any light (pardon the pun) that anyone can throw on this.
I've read a small number of threads that 'sort of' relate to this type of problem in general, but not specifically to my model and without any concrete resolution. So I thought I'd start a new thread with some specific details and see if anyone has any thoughts.
I've recently bought a W203 Avantagrde SE Estate (late 2004, facelift). The multi-function display is very difficult to read in daylight though (sometimes almost impossible) due its very low level of backlight illumination, and I'm wondering where the problem lies.
Note: Many discussions concern the older, pre-facelift display, which has well-documented issues and solutions. Mine is the later instrument cluster, consisting of four analogue dials and two, central LCD Panels which form the Multi-function display (MFD).
Here's what I know:
1) The instrument panel brighteness potentiometer/knob (which acts as a 'master' control for dashboard illumination and is situated to the lower left of the instrument binnacle) is turned all the way to its max setting.
2) The MFD's illumination brightness is automatically controlled according to the light falling on an ambient light sensor. After much careful investigation, I've found that this sensor is located just behind the face of the rev counter dial, at about the 120 degree (4 o'clock) position and roughly a centimeter from the centre of the dial. you can make out the circular window through which the sensor 'looks' by holding a bright light to the dial and looking at the reflection.
3) The sensor DOES work; either shielding it from the light or shining a torch at it does cause the MFD illumination to respond accordingly. At it's brightest (ie, with a a focused LED torch pointing directly at the sensor), the MFD is perfectly readable in daylight.
4) In daylight, winding down the driver's window results in a noticeable MFD brightenss increase, sometimes to the point where the display is acceptably readable. The sensor is obviously sensitive to wavelengths of light other than visible (either IR or UV), which the window glass blocks.
So ... is the sensor just getting old and has lost some of its original sensitivity to visible light? And if so can it be replaced? Or can the brightenss setting be recalibrated in software or with a circuit board-mounted trimmer? Or does the issue lie elsewhere?
In the general scheme of things this isn't exactly a huge issue; it's annoying though, and I'm curious as to the cause.
Thanks in advance for any light (pardon the pun) that anyone can throw on this.
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