Rear Dome Light -- Slow to turn off
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 45
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1999 E430 Sport
Rear Dome Light -- Slow to turn off
I'm scratching my head on this one. I just replaced a burned-out bulb in the rear interior dome light. It is now nice and bright. The only problem is that when I shut the door and leave the car, the front dome light dims a couple seconds after the door is closed. The rear stays on...and on...and on. It goes out after about 5 minutes or so. I've checked the buttons by the front dome light. I can turn all of them off, and I can turn the rear only on (with doors closed). It doesn't stay on when the key is in and the car is running.
What gives? Is there a way to adjust this? Is it a security feature, or worse, is it a gremlin?
Any help would be appreciated.
What gives? Is there a way to adjust this? Is it a security feature, or worse, is it a gremlin?
Any help would be appreciated.
Last edited by dmwil; Feb 21, 2011 at 09:40 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 19
From: SoCal
98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
May I suggest purchasing an Owner's Manual. They are not expensive either from the dealer or by calling 1-800-FOR MERCedes.
The interior lights should stay on for about 10 sec after closing the door. They gradually dim before going off. If you park the car in a dark location at night the exterior lights stay on to allow you to walk safely to a lighted location such as indoors. The countdown timer for the lighting is programmable via the SDS at the dealer. Should you leave a door ajar or leave the interior lights on manually they will go off after 5 min to prevent draining the battery. (Not 30 min as I originally posted)
If all interior lights stay on after driving off, you probably left a door ajar.
Hope that helps some.
The interior lights should stay on for about 10 sec after closing the door. They gradually dim before going off. If you park the car in a dark location at night the exterior lights stay on to allow you to walk safely to a lighted location such as indoors. The countdown timer for the lighting is programmable via the SDS at the dealer. Should you leave a door ajar or leave the interior lights on manually they will go off after 5 min to prevent draining the battery. (Not 30 min as I originally posted)
If all interior lights stay on after driving off, you probably left a door ajar.
Hope that helps some.
Last edited by RichardM98; Feb 22, 2011 at 09:59 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
1999 E430 Sport
I checked the doors, but I'll do it again, just to be sure. If that were the problem, wouldn't the front dome light have stayed on, too? Also, the rear dome light was on for about 5 minutes.
I'll check the manual to see if it says anything about the front and rear being programmed separately. It just seems weird to me that they wouldn't work together.
Thanks for the advice.
I'll check the manual to see if it says anything about the front and rear being programmed separately. It just seems weird to me that they wouldn't work together.
Thanks for the advice.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
curious: when you activate the lock function using the Smartkey, are you
seeing the turn signals flash several times? if not, this may indicate that
one of the doors is not closing fully.....or, that the door pin switch requires
adjustment.
seeing the turn signals flash several times? if not, this may indicate that
one of the doors is not closing fully.....or, that the door pin switch requires
adjustment.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
1999 E430 Sport
I'll check on that. I'd swear I've done that where the lights didn't flash.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
1999 E430 Sport
Nope. Nearly all of the bulbs, with the exception of the glove box light, rear fog light, and rear dome light, are original. The replacement bulbs I used are identical to the originals, in spec, and in appearance.
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
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E320
My 1999 e320 4matic sedan is having this problem. Interior lights take about 1 min to dim. When locking the car at night the interior lights stay on for about 5 min. Sometimes the interior door lights stay on a bit longer. Help appreciated.
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City
1999 Mercedes-Benz E320/W210 4-Matic Sedan, 1982 DMC-12 DeLorean (yes, really/when it runs)
I had this happen with both the rear and front dome lights, but tracked the problem to my passenger front door pin. It was ~1mm off. I adjusted the screws on the striker plate to accommodate and now it works. Sometimes the lights would go off, then turn back on. Annoying as heck too- the car alarm would randomly sound. I thought it was a cat or a raccoon setting the car off, but it happened at work in the city as well.
