Help! Domelight problem!
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Help! Domelight problem!
So the other day I closed the door on the seatbelt latch pretty hard. Bang! Whoops. Then when I got back in and hit the road, any slight pressure from my left knee on the driver door causes the car to think the door is open and it turns on the interior lights and unlocks the doors. HELP! I have no idea what to do next.
Thanks in advance for any insight!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,943
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
when you slammed the door on the obstruction, it may have caused the
door latch thingy to shift. here is the possible fix:
- get big T-40-ish torx bit and loosen the two screws on the B-pillar which
secures the door latch. this is the pillar/part of the door frame between
front and rear door.
- it probably shifted outward. move inward a scootch. tighten firm and test
by closing door and tossing body weight against the closed door. does the
interior light come on? if not, great. cinch it down
- the trick is to find that magic spot where the dome light is prevented from
turning on, yet the latch is not too far in that you're needing to slam the
door close to latch.
door latch thingy to shift. here is the possible fix:
- get big T-40-ish torx bit and loosen the two screws on the B-pillar which
secures the door latch. this is the pillar/part of the door frame between
front and rear door.
- it probably shifted outward. move inward a scootch. tighten firm and test
by closing door and tossing body weight against the closed door. does the
interior light come on? if not, great. cinch it down
- the trick is to find that magic spot where the dome light is prevented from
turning on, yet the latch is not too far in that you're needing to slam the
door close to latch.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
usually
indicated by a mark in the paint where you can see the unit shifted from its long held position.Start by moving it back to that spot.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2006
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thanks for the suggestions. i checked out the latch. no movement there. i fussed with the button just below the latch on the b pillar and it's working properly, i.e. when it is depressed, it fades out the dome light as expected. everything on the passenger side appears to be identical to the driver side. it's just that slight pressure on the door from my left knee that triggers the dome light. also - when we lock the car, the alarm goes off soon after we walk away. usually in the first 10-15 minutes.
any more ideas??
thanks!
any more ideas??
thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
the seat belt slam may be coincidental. the fact that it occurred may not
have anything to do with the interior light/alarm anomalies.
you can't 'test' the door plunger simply by pressing it with your finger. the
real test needs to be done dynamically, with the door. you've already
established that knee pressure causes the dome lights to come on.
you either have a failed switch ($20 part), the latch still needs readjusting,
or you can ghetto a fix by taping a small spacer onto the door, directly
opposite the door plunger.
a casual touching and feeling of the latch isn't going to determine if it
requires adjusting.
have anything to do with the interior light/alarm anomalies.
you can't 'test' the door plunger simply by pressing it with your finger. the
real test needs to be done dynamically, with the door. you've already
established that knee pressure causes the dome lights to come on.
you either have a failed switch ($20 part), the latch still needs readjusting,
or you can ghetto a fix by taping a small spacer onto the door, directly
opposite the door plunger.
a casual touching and feeling of the latch isn't going to determine if it
requires adjusting.
