Instrument cluster lighting.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 146
Likes: 35
Mercedes e350 coupe
Instrument cluster lighting.
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
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
Member
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 235
Likes: 91
2012 E Cabrio, 2015 GL , 2017 B ED & 2024 GLS
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
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
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 738
Likes: 163
From: Orlando, FL
2016 E400 Coupe (C207)
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.
Last edited by Mr. Toad; Jan 31, 2024 at 09:01 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 146
Likes: 35
Mercedes e350 coupe
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
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
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Orlando, FL
2016 E400 Coupe (C207)
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