shdoug

On my recently purchased '95 E320, I noticed that the Check Engine light NEVER comes on, even before starting the engine. Also, the SRS light next to it never comes on, either. I wouldn't think it would be bad bulbs as all the other bulbs are fine. The car runs and drives like a dream so I am hoping there is nothing wrong that would cause the light to turn on. Could someone have disabled the Check Engine light and if so, how would I reinstate it?

Makahveli

I too question my dash lights time to time.

shdoug

Is it supposed to light up before starting the engine?

mgw_300e

Yes, all of the lights should light up when you start the car. The SRS light should stay on for a few seconds (if I'm remembering right)

Federic0W124

it seems someone mustve pulled the bulbs out.

shadowgriffen

Correct, mine stays on for three seconds.

cobraperri

Your bulbs are likely burnt out. I just had my gauge cluster out today to fix the odometer again. I notice that my car has no bulb/socket for the 02 sensor light. It's the last one on the right.
I also made my dash lights brighter by changing the 2 bulbs at he top of the gage cluster with higher wattage ones. The ones that were in there were 3 watt. It's much better, I can now tell there're on before it gets too dark outside.
I was going to make the high beam indicator a little dimmer, but in my bucket of bulbs, the ones I have were too dim.
I can remove my gauge cluster in about 2 minutes.
To repair the odometer, I tapped the little white plastic gear (the one that is matched with the cork screw gear) back onto its shaft.
Hope this helps.........someone.

Saijin_Naib

Hey, what kind of bulbs light up the indicators and the cluster? I want to do LED lighting behind all of my switches and possibly in the gague cluster...

Kestas

Recently purchased?... My first suspicion would be that the bulb is pulled out or burned out from being on all the time. Checking the bulb would be the first order of business. Second would be to read the codes from the 16-pole self-diagnostic unit.

ALL dash lights are lit up during startup as a bulb check.

MarcusF

Shdoug, I have a question for you; did that recently purchased car come with a smog certificate? Here in California, the seller is required to supply a smog certificate to the new owner. Naturally, the certificate is based on passing a smog test. In Cali-land, the first test performed is looking to see if the check engine light illuminates. If it doesn't, the car fails. I mention this because if the car does require a fair amount of money in smog related repairs, you would appear to have an out. Let me refrain; you'd have an out in California as fraud is frowned upon in these parts. If that's the case where you live, perhaps the previous owner would be inclined to pay for the repairs.

Kestas

If sold "as-is" by private party I think shdoug is stuck with any repairs.

shdoug

Turns out it was just a burned out bulb. The stealership charged $54 to change it. I guess it could have been worse. I wonder why it's red instead of amber? I'm glad nothing's wrong with the system, though. Does anyone know how to run the self diagnostics, or is this even possible?

Kestas

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...d.php?t=107630

I tried to make it so that everything you need to know is in that thread.

shdoug

Thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for.