DRL DEAD --- WARRANTY?
11-29-2012, 02:52 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
DRL DEAD --- WARRANTY? --- UPDATED!
In my 2011 E550 Luxury P2 etc., at less than 2 years, <28,000 miles, the right daytime running light has died. (It's the straight kind, not the hockey puck.)
Has anybody else had this kind of failure so early in the car's life?
What is your guess? Will MB cover it under warranty, or will they say it's a "light bulb," not covered because it is expected to die and need replacement some time?
This thing is NOT a light bulb --- it is an LED array, and should last the life of the car, IMO.
=== UPDATE =================
Update: it now appears that if it is dark out, not "Daylight," the DRLs illuminate.
So, there must be two modes of DRL, "Daylight" and "Night." Assumably, the "Night" mode must be at a dimmer output, which makes sense -- keep bringing attention to this vehicle, but not so bright as we do during the day when we are fighting sunlight.
So, my car's failure must be restricted to the brighter, "Daylight" mode.
Make sense to you??
Has anybody else had this kind of failure so early in the car's life?
What is your guess? Will MB cover it under warranty, or will they say it's a "light bulb," not covered because it is expected to die and need replacement some time?
This thing is NOT a light bulb --- it is an LED array, and should last the life of the car, IMO.
=== UPDATE =================
Update: it now appears that if it is dark out, not "Daylight," the DRLs illuminate.
So, there must be two modes of DRL, "Daylight" and "Night." Assumably, the "Night" mode must be at a dimmer output, which makes sense -- keep bringing attention to this vehicle, but not so bright as we do during the day when we are fighting sunlight.
So, my car's failure must be restricted to the brighter, "Daylight" mode.
Make sense to you??
Last edited by Live Oak; 11-30-2012 at 08:16 PM.
11-29-2012, 06:31 PM
#2
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2011 E350, 2004 911
In my 2011 E550 Luxury P2 etc., at less than 2 years, <28,000 miles, the right daytime running light has died. (It's the straight kind, not the hockey puck.)
Has anybody else had this kind of failure so early in the car's life?
What is your guess? Will MB cover it under warranty, or will they say it's a "light bulb," not covered because it is expected to die and need replacement some time?
This thing is NOT a light bulb --- it is an LED array, and should last the life of the car, IMO.
Has anybody else had this kind of failure so early in the car's life?
What is your guess? Will MB cover it under warranty, or will they say it's a "light bulb," not covered because it is expected to die and need replacement some time?
This thing is NOT a light bulb --- it is an LED array, and should last the life of the car, IMO.
11-29-2012, 06:32 PM
#3
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2011 GLK350 P1, Multi-media & AMG Pkg; 2010 E350 w/ prem 2; 2018 4Runner SR5 Prem. 4x4
I would say that should be under warranty as its a complete unit...and not just a bulb.
With that being said, hopefully its just the plug is loose and got disconnected somehow. LED units are suppose to last awhile...so this is unusual to fail so early.
Let us know what happens...and good luck.
Pete
With that being said, hopefully its just the plug is loose and got disconnected somehow. LED units are suppose to last awhile...so this is unusual to fail so early.
Let us know what happens...and good luck.
Pete
11-29-2012, 08:10 PM
#4
Super Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for everybody's input on this.
BTW, careful examination reveals no evidence that it got hit by anything.
BTW, careful examination reveals no evidence that it got hit by anything.
Last edited by Live Oak; 11-29-2012 at 08:13 PM.
11-29-2012, 08:58 PM
#5
should be covered under warranty up to 2 years.
4-cylinder E-class has been having the other trouble in china - turbo leakeage. MB china has agreed to cover turbo up to 4 years if any leakeage issues are found. i know this doesn't concern the US owners but perhaps this info is useful to users in other countries as well.
4-cylinder E-class has been having the other trouble in china - turbo leakeage. MB china has agreed to cover turbo up to 4 years if any leakeage issues are found. i know this doesn't concern the US owners but perhaps this info is useful to users in other countries as well.
11-30-2012, 08:17 PM
#6
Super Member
Thread Starter
UPDATE TO THIS THREAD
=== UPDATE =================
Update: it now appears that if it is dark out, not "Daylight," the DRLs illuminate properly.
So, there must be two modes of DRL, "Daylight" and "Night." Assumably, the "Night" mode must be at a dimmer output, which makes sense -- keep bringing attention to this vehicle, but not so bright as we do during the day when we are fighting sunlight.
So, my car's failure must be restricted to the brighter, "Daylight" mode.
Make sense to you??
Update: it now appears that if it is dark out, not "Daylight," the DRLs illuminate properly.
So, there must be two modes of DRL, "Daylight" and "Night." Assumably, the "Night" mode must be at a dimmer output, which makes sense -- keep bringing attention to this vehicle, but not so bright as we do during the day when we are fighting sunlight.
So, my car's failure must be restricted to the brighter, "Daylight" mode.
Make sense to you??
11-30-2012, 08:55 PM
#7
yeah DRL does have 2 modes. brigntness are different depending on whether your headlights are on or not. yeah, for those of you who are wondering, it is possible to have your DRL on at night. what you need to do is go back to the dealer and have them send an email to germany requesting setting change, then they can set it up properly. so my DRL is on both day and night, only that DRL is not as bright during the day, at about 70% of night brightness.
this difference can also be observed if your car is parked at an underground garage, and when you first start your engine. DRL will first come on at 100% brightness, then adjust down to 70% of brightness.
fun to watch. don't know if anyone else noticed that.
this difference can also be observed if your car is parked at an underground garage, and when you first start your engine. DRL will first come on at 100% brightness, then adjust down to 70% of brightness.
fun to watch. don't know if anyone else noticed that.
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12-01-2012, 12:57 PM
#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
I am glad to see your DRLs run that means no burnt out
Well, I believe you might have turned off your DRLs . Mine is turned off deliberately by myself thru the Menu on the dash (toggle the buttons on the steering wheel)
I leave my knob at AUTO ,never mess up with that
I notice when the outside is dark enough LED strips (DRL in this case) come on too no matter what
Another thing I spot on is background to the COMAND screen it changes its color , normally yellow / black but when it is getting darker , I see Comand screen color also changes
Well, let me show you this thru an image I shot a few days ago . Not the best image but you can get the idea of how it works (sounds like Discovery Channel program name lol )
Well, I believe you might have turned off your DRLs . Mine is turned off deliberately by myself thru the Menu on the dash (toggle the buttons on the steering wheel)
I leave my knob at AUTO ,never mess up with that
I notice when the outside is dark enough LED strips (DRL in this case) come on too no matter what
Another thing I spot on is background to the COMAND screen it changes its color , normally yellow / black but when it is getting darker , I see Comand screen color also changes
Well, let me show you this thru an image I shot a few days ago . Not the best image but you can get the idea of how it works (sounds like Discovery Channel program name lol )
12-01-2012, 02:44 PM
#10
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2012 CLS63
DRL's reduce to 10% light out put when the headlamps come on
12-01-2012, 05:03 PM
#11
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Thread Starter
ANOTHER UPDATE
Well, the first symptom was no right side DRL during the day, with COMAND warning message.
THEN I discovered that at night, both DRLs lighted, at reduced brightness (which is normal), while during the day the right side DRL was completely out, with COMAND warning message.
NOW, this AM, both DRLs are working normally. (My garage is dark enough that, when I start the car, my headlights come on, and dim DRLs, until I back out.)
So, the problem is apparently intermittent. Which will make it harder to get it fixed, I'm sure, unless it's a common issue that the MB techs know all about.
THEN I discovered that at night, both DRLs lighted, at reduced brightness (which is normal), while during the day the right side DRL was completely out, with COMAND warning message.
NOW, this AM, both DRLs are working normally. (My garage is dark enough that, when I start the car, my headlights come on, and dim DRLs, until I back out.)
So, the problem is apparently intermittent. Which will make it harder to get it fixed, I'm sure, unless it's a common issue that the MB techs know all about.
12-01-2012, 06:20 PM
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
Fog lights are made to give very low beam of light on road. This is necessary when driving in foggy conditions as light pointed up will reflect from the fog and reduce driver's ability to see the road ahead.
DRL is made opposite. It is meant to make the car visible to other road users so the DRL is made to shine in every direction it can. This is why it is not a good idea to have DRL ON in foggy conditions.
My 2011 E350 that I had turned the DRL OFF when I pressed the fog light button. That car had the Bi-xenon lights and the head lights were automatically adjusted to low beam and to the shortest distance also from the fog light button and, of course, the driver side rear fog light came ON.
I now drive the 2010 E550. I have not tested this but I think the DRL goes OFF if I put the light switch to fog light position.
Last edited by Arrie; 12-01-2012 at 06:22 PM.
12-01-2012, 07:33 PM
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2012 CLS63
Well, the first symptom was no right side DRL during the day, with COMAND warning message.
THEN I discovered that at night, both DRLs lighted, at reduced brightness (which is normal), while during the day the right side DRL was completely out, with COMAND warning message.
NOW, this AM, both DRLs are working normally. (My garage is dark enough that, when I start the car, my headlights come on, and dim DRLs, until I back out.)
So, the problem is apparently intermittent. Which will make it harder to get it fixed, I'm sure, unless it's a common issue that the MB techs know all about.
THEN I discovered that at night, both DRLs lighted, at reduced brightness (which is normal), while during the day the right side DRL was completely out, with COMAND warning message.
NOW, this AM, both DRLs are working normally. (My garage is dark enough that, when I start the car, my headlights come on, and dim DRLs, until I back out.)
So, the problem is apparently intermittent. Which will make it harder to get it fixed, I'm sure, unless it's a common issue that the MB techs know all about.
good luck Oak!
12-02-2012, 02:48 PM
#14
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Thread Starter
12-02-2012, 08:15 PM
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!
That is what I would have thought happens with those cars with four round lights at the bottom.
I just wish MB would have included fog lights with the sports attire too, but they did not.
Wonder if sports look got over the safety somehow within this safety oriented car design company...?
They could have designed a fog light that fits under side the hockey-stick DRL, i.e. shaped like the hockey stick DRL just below it. Now that would be cool...
