Sgooter

A few weeks ago I noticed the black panel around the headlight switch on my '08 E350 had become very sticky to the touch. I applied Goo Gone to the panel and the gunky coating slowly broke down enough to use a microfiber cloth to rub/wipe it off. Took about 30 minutes of several repeat applications of Goo Gone and light-to-moderate pressure wiping, but eventually it removed all the sticky gunk. All clean and smooth now and the various symbols around the headlight switch look fine.

VII

Had to do something similar to mine as well. Wonder what they used there that becomes like old glue...

MoarPOWA

I know I'm reviving and old post but, this happened to mine and which brought me to another thought. Is the headlamp switch supposed to be backlit? I notice at night mine is completely dark so I cant see where the switch positions are. Just seems like it should be lit.

GudgaveS550

I noticed the same on my 2007 W221 S550.

Anyone know if it is backlit?

Efivehundred

It's not backlit. My 95 and 03 Fords were backlit, my 82 Jaguar was backlit by fiber optics, but neither my 03 and 06 MBs are backlit. I can't believe an S class isn't backlit. All this ambient lighting and you have to recall the switch layout with your mind's eye.

Stuttgarten

Last night I was coming home around 11:00pm so it was dark enough to have lights on. My headlight switch is backlit. Possibly some model years were offered but others were not!

Efivehundred

Do you have any pics?

Here is a pic of mine....

Stuttgarten

Taking a pic of the dark switch is not easy, but I managed to get this one. Please click on attached thumbnail below.

I noticed backlit function works only while engine is running.

ss.dna02

Sorry to revive this old thread but yesterday I was cleaning my car and when I wiped the headlight switch panel I made some big marks and it turns out that I took some of the coating off. My first thought was to look for a replacement but I decided to search this issue a little and found this thread.

So is Goo Gone effective at removing this material ?
And will the symbols be preserved or will it wipe them off ?

VII

I think I used something milder like soap. Goo gone (basically gasoline? ) will certainly remove it but might be too aggressive for the symbols.

beejAMG

goo gone will work just fine. i used rubbing alcohol but.

rsmith7

Thank you for the alcohol recommendation. It was very mild to the other items but removed the stickiness on the light switch.

Sorry for responding to an old post.

rapidoxidation

I LOL'd

NewShockerGuy

Yep super annoyed that MB cuts corners on certain things.


Our 05' CLK's headlight switch fully illuminated and was nice. The 09' e350 not so much at all. Which is annoying especially since I do not leave it on auto.


Most guys use finger nail polish remover to get rid of the sticky stuff. It was a very common problem on the center air vent plastic piece that with use and time would turn into a sticky unpleasant thing to touch/look at.


I plan on doing the same as above with the headlight switch as it's starting to get that sticky feel to it.


-Nigel

cMazara

Does this happens to the windshield wiper stalk??
Black fades into a greyish-ugly looking stalk.

Yuille36

I'm glad that I came across this, as I got he same issue with my 07 E63. Tacky light switch, and I have a bottle of goo gone at home, will most likely try this tonight.

jimbo1763

Be patient. It takes a while-or at least it did in my case. But a really good result.

Fountain35

Mine was sticky on my E55 so I tried a bit of alcohol. Seemed to work but now it's seem too shiny compared to the rest of the grey trim? I'll take off the light and try and clean it up later. If I don't get the result I want I'll but a new backing if possible...


I'll take it off and clean it.

Strigoi

Goo Gone is the way to go. Had to use it on the buttons on the original steering wheel in my W210. Got rid of all the sticky stuff.

NewShockerGuy

I used rubbing alcohol and some of the damn white lettering came off... figures. Still better than the stupid sticky look/feel.

-Nigel

Strigoi

That's what happened to me. Switched to Goo Gone and didn't have any issues. I also was really gentle with it and took my time at that point.

Fountain35

Well Nigel I took the switch out and tried the Goo Gone and got no where. So I tried alcohol, again zippo. I then tried some other stuff and nothing. Just real tacky. I am just going to order a new one from Mercedes and be done with it.Also if you get a used one it's going to have the same issue. I had the same problem albeit not as bad with a twin turbo RX-7 back in the day.

NewShockerGuy

Do you have a part number by chance and how much it is? Just curious to see if it's worth replacing If it's not crazy expensive then it's worth it and I'll just swap.. if not then I can live with some white not being there any more..lol

-Nigel

Fountain35

Nigel, I took a picture of the switch when I removed it, it had the part number etc. I have the darker grey switch. I think the switch is probably $200-$250 dollars, I'll find out Monday. I'll PM you on Monday with the cost and part number if you would like. My interior is like new so I can't deal with the screwed up switch.

Onyxthecat

2115450104 is the part number I found. I'm going to remove mine (no headlight washers) to see if its a different number.

Edit it is different. I also went ahead and scraped off the goo and cleaned it with WD40. I didn't lose any of the white printing.