johnb102

We have a 2003 E320 Wagon (this is the last of the W210s before the wagon switched in 2004).

For the last couple of weeks the dome light has been coming on by itself while driving, but it seems to be related to going around sharp curves to the right side. Our mechanic checked the doors thinking that one might not be closing fully, but they were fine. He suggested the dome light itself was going bad, but that it was very expensive so it was best to ignore it.

Today the dome light seems to come on and off by itself. Even while parked alone in the driveway, sometimes the lights are on and sometimes they turn off. I pushed the button so that it does not come on when the front doors are opened thinking that might help, but now the alarm is coming on by itself at random intervals.

Do you think this could all be related to a faulty dome light? Any other suggestions?

raymond g-

the vast majority of the time, the driver side front door is the cause. sit in
car with engine on. pull on door.....dome light should be off. now push on
the driver's door, throwing your body weight on it...dome light should come on.

yes?

johnb102

I was able to sit in the car with it running and get the lights to come on a little by banging on it with my body from the inside. But not every time.

I also opened the door and pushed on the button that gets depressed when the door closes. Sometimes this turns out the lights, but other times it does not. It seems that the switch is not sending the right message when it gets depressed. This may also be compounded by the fact that the door is not pressing the button in tight enough.

But, could this switch also trigger the alarm when the car is parked?

I have left it unlocked with the dome lights switched off hoping that this does not continue all night.

raymond g-

john - i suspect door switch/pin failure. that controls the dome light (as well
as other events/items)...and includes alarm activation.

if the switch is in good health and simply needs adjustment, you can try that.

you can buy another, as they're only $20 or so and try to install yourself.
this will require some pulling and tugging of moulding and gaskets. i suspect
that if you take the car to dealer and they confirm the diagnosis, their cost
for R&R will be < $100

you can try taping a dime onto the door...directly across from the pin and
see if this extra thickness resolves the light/alarm issues. if so, then it is
possible that the switch is okay and you simply need to adjust the switch.

you can also try loosening the big big Torx (can't remember exact size, T45?)
on the door latch and moving it inwards (towards inside of the car) by
something like .125. doing so will latch the door tighter, and possibly a more
secure press of the door pin. the downside is that it *may* also require
that you close the door more firmly to latch....and that is unwanted in a
luxury car like an MB.

fortunately, i was able to find dbl stick, cushion tape and taped a plastic
shim directly across from the door pin. a slight adjustment to the door latch
helped as well, yet still allowed for reasonably light touch to close the door.

raymond g-

light shouldn't stay on all night. my 99 e320 is parked in garage built into
the house. i can leave the door open and dome lights come on. after a
short time period, it has a fail safe feature which turns off the lights even
if the door remains ajar

drknmky

[QUOTE=raymond g-;3853028]the vast majority of the time, the driver side front door is the cause. sit in
car with engine on. pull on door.....dome light should be off. now push on
the driver's door, throwing your body weight on it...dome light should come on.

yes?

I know this is an old thread but that is EXACTLY what is happening to my 2000 W168 A CLASS can someone please help! Thanks!

raymond g-

if you're asking for help fixing your problem, have you tried the
suggestions in post #4? I know nothing about w168. I would suggest
posting of your experience with this problem over on the w168 forum
in order that others more familiar with your car might assist