Snarla

Greetings.

I may or may not have an issue with my dash lighting. I don't drive at night.

When i start my car (2013 e350 coupe) in the morning, and late afternoon (coming home from my store...5pm), the only dash lamp working is the center digital readout for the mph (as set by me). Occasionally after the car travels for a block..or so, the other gauge lights (tachometer, etc) will illuminate. Sometimes (most times) not. It is still daylight at this time. The headlamp switch is set on Auto. If I turn the headlamp switch to the ON position, all lights on the dash work perfectly. Also, when I pull into my dim covered home parking space...the headlamps and dash lights turn on and began to glow perfectly. I can read all gauges without the lighting working..but is this normal? I like using the AUTO feature on the headlamp switch. Methinks that I have an issue. Would having the codes read by a scanner indicate any problem?

Also, my home covered parking space (in a large covered open sided parking garage) is positioned so that the front of the car receives morning sunlight. I can back the car out of my space..no lights glow (except for the digital speedometer). Sometimes I can travel 3 car lengths through the dim garage...and all dash lights kick on, as normal. And sometimes not. My work parking space is uncovered, but shaded, with the same situation happening. Yesterday I drove the 4 miles from work to home..and the dash lights finally came on after entering my dim parking garage at home. This was at 5:15pm (evening, but still light outside). Maybe I need _______?


Kind thoughts welcome.


Best,

Mark

Chevota

Id assume a connection on the back of the cluster. id pull it and reseat all the plugs

Snarla

Thanks Chevota.

I will run this by my mechanic.

Best,

Mark

AKSwift

I have exactly the same behavior, that won't be any consolation, but you're not on your own! I am curious about whether this is intended behavior? I find the cluster to be fairly dark in fading light, but it's fine when the main lights come on.

Snarla

Oh my stars!!!


I'm not alone!


I shall report back after visiting with my trusted mechanic.


Best,

Dark Mark

Mr. Toad

It sounds to me as though your lights are functioning as designed. When the headlamp switch is set to Auto, the exterior lights and instrument cluster illumination (except for the odometer panel, which is a screen, not a lamp) are dependent on the vehicle's light sensor detecting that ambient (e.g., sun) light has dropped below a set value. Automatic light sensing is not an exact science and that value does not equate with pitch darkness; this helps ensure that the lights come on automatically when the vehicle enters inclement weather during daylight hours. For complete details, read your owner's manual.

Snarla

Many thanks, Mr. Toad!

Any idea where the light sensor is located? I'm guessing it's part of the windshield..near the rearview mirror. And I should have picked up on this when I read the owners manual (three times), I know.

Best,

Dim Mark

Mr. Toad

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post8311218

Snarla

So many thanks, Mr Toad.

Snarla

Embarrassed am I!

My mechanic told me all is normal.

I tend to over-react.

my god.

pl626

It can be unsettling sometimes, then I remember that it's got all the sensors, and I pretty much always leave the light switch in the auto position.