Light sensor
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 310
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CL500
Light sensor
Does anyone know what that is and what it does? That light came on and under it it said to visit workshop, i turned the car off and on and then it disappeared anyone have an idea what that is?
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: chicago IL
02 ML320
the light sensor if for you auto headlights, hovever, when that message comes up it usually means you have a week battery or bad alternator. if your battery and alternator are good then you might have a bad rain/light sensor
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 310
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CL500
thanks guys, if the light sensor doesnt work will the rain sensor work, or if one doesnt work then the other wont because i dont get the message anymore and the lights turned on automatically tonight?
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
CL500
Light Sensor Visit Workshop - Did you do anything to the Overhead Console?
When or if you remove the overhead console, and remove the 5 electrical plugs, then reinstall the electrical plugs, you need to pay special attention to the second plug in from the left. It is the one with a light gray swing clip on it that you pull to the left to cause the plug to slide itself out. When plugging it back in, if you just plug it in and move the lever back to the right, it will not seat itself all the way back in.
It might look and feel like it is connected, but trust me it is not.
You will receive an error or malfunction warning saying “ Light Sensor Visit Workshop”, and it will cause 3 issues:
1. The headlights will stay on when in AUTO mode on the light switch, no matter if it is day or night.
2. The automatic headlight delayed shut off will not work in Auto mode, the lights just turn off when you turn off the key instead of having a delayed turn off.
3. The Rain Sensing wipers will not work in the first click position, they just act as intermittent wipers wiping every 5 seconds no matter how much rain comes down.
YOU MUST push in that second plug until it clicks in, then pull the lever back to the right to lock it in place. You will see on the black part of the plug a half circle tract that the light gray clip follows. The left side of that half circle must be right up against the module you are plugging into.
This was a nightmare for me that took several steps to diagnose, and I removed and installed that stupid plug about 20 times, but each time it felt seated when it clicked into place. I figured it out by removing the light gray slide lock from the plug, then plugging in, and it went all the way in and no malfunctions were reported. I re-installed the little light gray clip, and pushed real hard until it clicked into place, then at that time I moved the lever back to the right to lock it in place. Everything works great now, no malfunctions.
Hope this helps someone else.
It might look and feel like it is connected, but trust me it is not.
You will receive an error or malfunction warning saying “ Light Sensor Visit Workshop”, and it will cause 3 issues:
1. The headlights will stay on when in AUTO mode on the light switch, no matter if it is day or night.
2. The automatic headlight delayed shut off will not work in Auto mode, the lights just turn off when you turn off the key instead of having a delayed turn off.
3. The Rain Sensing wipers will not work in the first click position, they just act as intermittent wipers wiping every 5 seconds no matter how much rain comes down.
YOU MUST push in that second plug until it clicks in, then pull the lever back to the right to lock it in place. You will see on the black part of the plug a half circle tract that the light gray clip follows. The left side of that half circle must be right up against the module you are plugging into.
This was a nightmare for me that took several steps to diagnose, and I removed and installed that stupid plug about 20 times, but each time it felt seated when it clicked into place. I figured it out by removing the light gray slide lock from the plug, then plugging in, and it went all the way in and no malfunctions were reported. I re-installed the little light gray clip, and pushed real hard until it clicked into place, then at that time I moved the lever back to the right to lock it in place. Everything works great now, no malfunctions.
Hope this helps someone else.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 171
2002 CL500 to CL55 conversion
When or if you remove the overhead console, and remove the 5 electrical plugs, then reinstall the electrical plugs, you need to pay special attention to the second plug in from the left. It is the one with a light gray swing clip on it that you pull to the left to cause the plug to slide itself out. When plugging it back in, if you just plug it in and move the lever back to the right, it will not seat itself all the way back in.
It might look and feel like it is connected, but trust me it is not.
You will receive an error or malfunction warning saying “ Light Sensor Visit Workshop”, and it will cause 3 issues:
1. The headlights will stay on when in AUTO mode on the light switch, no matter if it is day or night.
2. The automatic headlight delayed shut off will not work in Auto mode, the lights just turn off when you turn off the key instead of having a delayed turn off.
3. The Rain Sensing wipers will not work in the first click position, they just act as intermittent wipers wiping every 5 seconds no matter how much rain comes down.
YOU MUST push in that second plug until it clicks in, then pull the lever back to the right to lock it in place. You will see on the black part of the plug a half circle tract that the light gray clip follows. The left side of that half circle must be right up against the module you are plugging into.
This was a nightmare for me that took several steps to diagnose, and I removed and installed that stupid plug about 20 times, but each time it felt seated when it clicked into place. I figured it out by removing the light gray slide lock from the plug, then plugging in, and it went all the way in and no malfunctions were reported. I re-installed the little light gray clip, and pushed real hard until it clicked into place, then at that time I moved the lever back to the right to lock it in place. Everything works great now, no malfunctions.
Hope this helps someone else.
It might look and feel like it is connected, but trust me it is not.
You will receive an error or malfunction warning saying “ Light Sensor Visit Workshop”, and it will cause 3 issues:
1. The headlights will stay on when in AUTO mode on the light switch, no matter if it is day or night.
2. The automatic headlight delayed shut off will not work in Auto mode, the lights just turn off when you turn off the key instead of having a delayed turn off.
3. The Rain Sensing wipers will not work in the first click position, they just act as intermittent wipers wiping every 5 seconds no matter how much rain comes down.
YOU MUST push in that second plug until it clicks in, then pull the lever back to the right to lock it in place. You will see on the black part of the plug a half circle tract that the light gray clip follows. The left side of that half circle must be right up against the module you are plugging into.
This was a nightmare for me that took several steps to diagnose, and I removed and installed that stupid plug about 20 times, but each time it felt seated when it clicked into place. I figured it out by removing the light gray slide lock from the plug, then plugging in, and it went all the way in and no malfunctions were reported. I re-installed the little light gray clip, and pushed real hard until it clicked into place, then at that time I moved the lever back to the right to lock it in place. Everything works great now, no malfunctions.
Hope this helps someone else.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Utah
2004 SL500, 2014 S550
I have a 04 Sl500, but the overhead console is very similar and I'm experiencing the same issue. I just can't seem to get this connector to go in without the lever snapping prematurely. But then, it's too late and won't push in any further. Any suggestions?
