E-Class (W212) 2010 - 2016: E 350, E 550
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Intermittent Glove Compartment Light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Apr 11, 2014 | 10:57 AM
  #1  
thefisch's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Intermittent Glove Compartment Light

At first I thought the bulb in the glove compartment was burnt out until I read on here that the glove compartment light only works when the car is running. But then I noticed that it doesn’t always come on even when running and it’s dark out and headlamps are on.

When it doesn’t work, I need to firmly close the glove box and reopen it to get the light to come on - sometimes more than once before it will work. Perhaps the switch is sticking a little but I cannot locate any switch or pin in the glove box that responds to the opening and closing. When the light does come on, the light does shut off when the compartment door is almost closed (i.e. less than an half an inch from fully closed. But I can’t find any switch or pin to inspect it. Any ideas?
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2014 | 04:40 PM
  #2  
RNBRAD's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 761
Likes: 23
From: Oklahoma
W211 E320 & W212 E550
Hmm maybe it uses a proximety switch like a magnetic switch versus the typical pressure switch.
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2014 | 08:27 AM
  #3  
thefisch's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Originally Posted by RNBRAD
Hmm maybe it uses a proximety switch like a magnetic switch versus the typical pressure switch.
They even overengineer the glove box in these cars. If it continues to happen more often than not, I will ask at the next service.

By the way, what level tint do you have on your w212 in your signature pic? Looks good.
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2014 | 09:20 PM
  #4  
RNBRAD's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 761
Likes: 23
From: Oklahoma
W211 E320 & W212 E550
Originally Posted by thefisch
They even overengineer the glove box in these cars. If it continues to happen more often than not, I will ask at the next service.

By the way, what level tint do you have on your w212 in your signature pic? Looks good.
Thanks, it's 20%. Legal is 35% but they don't hassle us in Oklahoma.
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2014 | 09:31 PM
  #5  
thefisch's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Originally Posted by RNBRAD
Thanks, it's 20%. Legal is 35% but they don't hassle us in Oklahoma.
Ceramic or metallic? Anything on the windshield? Can get pretty brutal down here in FL with the midday sun on your lap.
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2017 | 03:52 PM
  #6  
belarus27's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 210
From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
Did anyone ever figured this out?
That blinking part get me really mad... and i cant find much info.
pretty sure yhe switch got messed up after so many open/close time.

thanks.
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2017 | 04:39 PM
  #7  
konigstiger's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,630
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Pull lens down and check 12v-5w bulb/connector, see lamp assembly here: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...on/2218200401/ - ambitious, pull glove box to check further see attachments.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
remove glovebox.pdf (394.0 KB, 974 views)
File Type: pdf
cover below instrument panel.pdf (141.5 KB, 420 views)
File Type: pdf
trim strip.pdf (439.7 KB, 406 views)
File Type: pdf
AUX jack on glove box.pdf (340.4 KB, 422 views)
File Type: pdf
media interface glove box.pdf (252.9 KB, 441 views)
Reply
Old May 13, 2019 | 01:59 PM
  #8  
spigrimace's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 15
Likes: 15
2012 W212 E550 Sedan
Well my glove box light went. Changed bulb and even the socket but won't light. I knew it was the wire connector on the glove box passenger side behind the dash that unfortunately is common on the W212 to separate from the wire. The horrible wire connector curls and un-curls when you open and close the box and that mechanism it is attached to is what makes the glove box lamp light and go off when you open and close the glove box door. Thanks for the attachments, Konigstiger. Almost 2 years old but still a huge help! In the Trim strip pdf, it may not be that obvious in the B&W pics that there are little wings inside the hole in the outer sides of the center vents you need to hook and get them depressed otheriwse the center part will never come out. I had the Mercedes hooks from my old W208 where it was common fix to pull the cluster in order to fix the bad display pixels. The hooks work great on those wings inside the center vents (you cannot see them as they are inside the small rectangular holes) and also to get the clips lowered that sit on the top of the glove box. Waiting for a replacement glove box that I bought on ebay that seems to have a good wire harness. Not sure if I will just swap my door onto it or just switch out the wire harness and reuse my glove box. Really wasn't that bad getting the glove box out. Just patience and never force things as plastic parts and plastic connectors tends to break when forced. Note that one screw of a handful supporting the glove box all around it is located in the upper-right had a felt plug blocking it. It popped out from behind with a little effort from the hook tool. See the circled area that is the passenger side of the glove box that makes the light go on and off when glove box is opened/closed. But obviously won't work if wire breaks off as they engineered it so the wire take all the stress of that curling and movement right at the crimp of the electrical connector.

Here's a pic so you see it. That plastic ring slides up and down that shaft taking the wire with it. When it is all the way at the bottom, it hits a bump and mechanically breaks the circuit so the light goes off.



Common repair on W212 Glove Box where wire separates from wire connector due to fatigue
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 18, 2019 | 07:40 AM
  #9  
spigrimace's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 15
Likes: 15
2012 W212 E550 Sedan
Yup just replace wire harness

Originally Posted by spigrimace
Well my glove box light went. Changed bulb and even the socket but won't light. I knew it was the wire connector on the glove box passenger side behind the dash that unfortunately is common on the W212 to separate from the wire. The horrible wire connector curls and un-curls when you open and close the box and that mechanism it is attached to is what makes the glove box lamp light and go off when you open and close the glove box door. Thanks for the attachments, Konigstiger. Almost 2 years old but still a huge help! In the Trim strip pdf, it may not be that obvious in the B&W pics that there are little wings inside the hole in the outer sides of the center vents you need to hook and get them depressed otheriwse the center part will never come out. I had the Mercedes hooks from my old W208 where it was common fix to pull the cluster in order to fix the bad display pixels. The hooks work great on those wings inside the center vents (you cannot see them as they are inside the small rectangular holes) and also to get the clips lowered that sit on the top of the glove box. Waiting for a replacement glove box that I bought on ebay that seems to have a good wire harness. Not sure if I will just swap my door onto it or just switch out the wire harness and reuse my glove box. Really wasn't that bad getting the glove box out. Just patience and never force things as plastic parts and plastic connectors tends to break when forced. Note that one screw of a handful supporting the glove box all around it is located in the upper-right had a felt plug blocking it. It popped out from behind with a little effort from the hook tool. See the circled area that is the passenger side of the glove box that makes the light go on and off when glove box is opened/closed. But obviously won't work if wire breaks off as they engineered it so the wire take all the stress of that curling and movement right at the crimp of the electrical connector.

Here's a pic so you see it. That plastic ring slides up and down that shaft taking the wire with it. When it is all the way at the bottom, it hits a bump and mechanically breaks the circuit so the light goes off.



Common repair on W212 Glove Box where wire separates from wire connector due to fatigue

Yes was simple to switch out the wire harness and it lights back up. Yay! You can remove the shaft by popping the pin in the top right of my pic and twist that shaft and twist until it slips out of the cutout keyhole. The blue connector by the light has a tab facing the rear touching the black glove box plastic that you can lightly impress with a screwdriver to slip the connector out. Im left with the rest of the donor glove box if anyone needs any glove box parts besides the wire harness. Free of charge.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2022 | 04:40 PM
  #10  
brewster411's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 10
Likes: 8
E63
Bumping this because I just fixed this problem on my 2011. One of my wires was broken right at the connector as pictured above. As the glove box opened, the light would initially turn on, then it would turn off as the wire separated.

I was able to locate the wiring harness in the parts catalog and Mercedes still sells it for about $9. The part number is 212-540-06-00.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2022 | 10:02 AM
  #11  
pfsantos's Avatar
Junior Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 18
Likes: 7
From: Toronto, Canada
2013 E350 4-Matic, 2008 B200 (sold), 1998 E200K, 1983 200
Hi all,

Filmed my repair a while ago. Light's not working again. Will use a multi-meter to check bulb and socket, but will probably be the connection again. Cheers!


Reply
Old May 1, 2024 | 01:11 PM
  #12  
pfsantos's Avatar
Junior Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 18
Likes: 7
From: Toronto, Canada
2013 E350 4-Matic, 2008 B200 (sold), 1998 E200K, 1983 200
Digikey part numbers

Digikey part numbers


Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:10 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE