Interior light sensor location/adjustment...removal even?
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Joined: Aug 2014
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2012 E-350
Interior light sensor location/adjustment...removal even?
"I'm looking for the location of the light sensors for interior lights. I keep my headlights on AUTO, and they work as they should.
**However, even when the outside lights are on (as deemed by exterior light sensor), the INTERIOR lights don't come on (and NAV screen doesn't go to night mode) until some other sensor does it's magic. Problem is...I think it gets too dark before my interior lights switch to night mode (meaning NAV screen and HVAC, power window, steering wheel controls).
I thought it was that plastic bump in the middle of my dash by the windshield, but I can cover that with my hand and it doesn't trigger the interior lights to come on.
Where is that sensor? Is there a setting that anyone knows about to make the interior lights come on sooner?"
That was written by a W-204 C Class member 2 years ago but got little traction, but since he has the same exact gripe as me I figured I'd quote him and ask what the deal is here.
** I can't stand how dark it has to get for my interior lights to finally turn on and allow me to see the climate control buttons, radio, steering wheel, ect... WTF?? Even when I turn the lights to the on position opposed to leaving on auto there's some other sensor that has to determine that it's dark enough to turn my interior lighting on. Only the gauge cluster comes on directly with the head lights.
This is my biggest (only actually) complaint about this car, it just happens to bother the hell out of me.
The dealer says there is no adjustment for lighting sensors but I think someone on this forum should know better.
Anybody else have this gripe?
**However, even when the outside lights are on (as deemed by exterior light sensor), the INTERIOR lights don't come on (and NAV screen doesn't go to night mode) until some other sensor does it's magic. Problem is...I think it gets too dark before my interior lights switch to night mode (meaning NAV screen and HVAC, power window, steering wheel controls).
I thought it was that plastic bump in the middle of my dash by the windshield, but I can cover that with my hand and it doesn't trigger the interior lights to come on.
Where is that sensor? Is there a setting that anyone knows about to make the interior lights come on sooner?"
That was written by a W-204 C Class member 2 years ago but got little traction, but since he has the same exact gripe as me I figured I'd quote him and ask what the deal is here.
** I can't stand how dark it has to get for my interior lights to finally turn on and allow me to see the climate control buttons, radio, steering wheel, ect... WTF?? Even when I turn the lights to the on position opposed to leaving on auto there's some other sensor that has to determine that it's dark enough to turn my interior lighting on. Only the gauge cluster comes on directly with the head lights.
This is my biggest (only actually) complaint about this car, it just happens to bother the hell out of me.
The dealer says there is no adjustment for lighting sensors but I think someone on this forum should know better.
Anybody else have this gripe?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 115
Likes: 2
2012 E-350
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
"I'm looking for the location of the light sensors for interior lights. I keep my headlights on AUTO, and they work as they should.
**However, even when the outside lights are on (as deemed by exterior light sensor), the INTERIOR lights don't come on (and NAV screen doesn't go to night mode) until some other sensor does it's magic. Problem is...I think it gets too dark before my interior lights switch to night mode (meaning NAV screen and HVAC, power window, steering wheel controls).
I thought it was that plastic bump in the middle of my dash by the windshield, but I can cover that with my hand and it doesn't trigger the interior lights to come on.
Where is that sensor? Is there a setting that anyone knows about to make the interior lights come on sooner?"
That was written by a W-204 C Class member 2 years ago but got little traction, but since he has the same exact gripe as me I figured I'd quote him and ask what the deal is here.
** I can't stand how dark it has to get for my interior lights to finally turn on and allow me to see the climate control buttons, radio, steering wheel, ect... WTF?? Even when I turn the lights to the on position opposed to leaving on auto there's some other sensor that has to determine that it's dark enough to turn my interior lighting on. Only the gauge cluster comes on directly with the head lights.
This is my biggest (only actually) complaint about this car, it just happens to bother the hell out of me.
The dealer says there is no adjustment for lighting sensors but I think someone on this forum should know better.
Anybody else have this gripe?
**However, even when the outside lights are on (as deemed by exterior light sensor), the INTERIOR lights don't come on (and NAV screen doesn't go to night mode) until some other sensor does it's magic. Problem is...I think it gets too dark before my interior lights switch to night mode (meaning NAV screen and HVAC, power window, steering wheel controls).
I thought it was that plastic bump in the middle of my dash by the windshield, but I can cover that with my hand and it doesn't trigger the interior lights to come on.
Where is that sensor? Is there a setting that anyone knows about to make the interior lights come on sooner?"
That was written by a W-204 C Class member 2 years ago but got little traction, but since he has the same exact gripe as me I figured I'd quote him and ask what the deal is here.
** I can't stand how dark it has to get for my interior lights to finally turn on and allow me to see the climate control buttons, radio, steering wheel, ect... WTF?? Even when I turn the lights to the on position opposed to leaving on auto there's some other sensor that has to determine that it's dark enough to turn my interior lighting on. Only the gauge cluster comes on directly with the head lights.
This is my biggest (only actually) complaint about this car, it just happens to bother the hell out of me.
The dealer says there is no adjustment for lighting sensors but I think someone on this forum should know better.
Anybody else have this gripe?
It may be tied to clock. I'm not sure but some hand held navigation devices change between night and day based on time.
You can test for this by entering a wrong time in your clock, i.e. make it a couple of hours ahead and see if the lights change earlier. This, of course is no fix as you don't want to have wrong time in your car.
Also, I don't know if setting the Comand screen to "Night" mode would also set the button lights on...?
Last edited by Arrie; Jan 26, 2015 at 06:07 PM.
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2012 E-350
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
I think that the headlights and interior lights trigger at different times by design, and for safety reasons...
The headlights come on 20-30 minutes before dusk, as designed, and in some cases required by law... They also activate durinig rain storms and wiper use, etc. as required by law
The interior lights switch to night mode later, because they are not regulated, and because they are designed to accomodate human night vision when it is truly dark.
Some people will appreciate the algorithms used to set both lighting systems, and others will not. Everything works in an acceptable manner for me.
The headlights come on 20-30 minutes before dusk, as designed, and in some cases required by law... They also activate durinig rain storms and wiper use, etc. as required by law
The interior lights switch to night mode later, because they are not regulated, and because they are designed to accomodate human night vision when it is truly dark.
Some people will appreciate the algorithms used to set both lighting systems, and others will not. Everything works in an acceptable manner for me.
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
"I'm looking for the location of the light sensors for interior lights. I keep my headlights on AUTO, and they work as they should.
**However, even when the outside lights are on (as deemed by exterior light sensor), the INTERIOR lights don't come on (and NAV screen doesn't go to night mode) until some other sensor does it's magic. Problem is...I think it gets too dark before my interior lights switch to night mode (meaning NAV screen and HVAC, power window, steering wheel controls).
I thought it was that plastic bump in the middle of my dash by the windshield, but I can cover that with my hand and it doesn't trigger the interior lights to come on.
Where is that sensor? Is there a setting that anyone knows about to make the interior lights come on sooner?"
That was written by a W-204 C Class member 2 years ago but got little traction, but since he has the same exact gripe as me I figured I'd quote him and ask what the deal is here.
** I can't stand how dark it has to get for my interior lights to finally turn on and allow me to see the climate control buttons, radio, steering wheel, ect... WTF?? Even when I turn the lights to the on position opposed to leaving on auto there's some other sensor that has to determine that it's dark enough to turn my interior lighting on. Only the gauge cluster comes on directly with the head lights.
This is my biggest (only actually) complaint about this car, it just happens to bother the hell out of me.
The dealer says there is no adjustment for lighting sensors but I think someone on this forum should know better.
Anybody else have this gripe?
**However, even when the outside lights are on (as deemed by exterior light sensor), the INTERIOR lights don't come on (and NAV screen doesn't go to night mode) until some other sensor does it's magic. Problem is...I think it gets too dark before my interior lights switch to night mode (meaning NAV screen and HVAC, power window, steering wheel controls).
I thought it was that plastic bump in the middle of my dash by the windshield, but I can cover that with my hand and it doesn't trigger the interior lights to come on.
Where is that sensor? Is there a setting that anyone knows about to make the interior lights come on sooner?"
That was written by a W-204 C Class member 2 years ago but got little traction, but since he has the same exact gripe as me I figured I'd quote him and ask what the deal is here.
** I can't stand how dark it has to get for my interior lights to finally turn on and allow me to see the climate control buttons, radio, steering wheel, ect... WTF?? Even when I turn the lights to the on position opposed to leaving on auto there's some other sensor that has to determine that it's dark enough to turn my interior lighting on. Only the gauge cluster comes on directly with the head lights.
This is my biggest (only actually) complaint about this car, it just happens to bother the hell out of me.
The dealer says there is no adjustment for lighting sensors but I think someone on this forum should know better.
Anybody else have this gripe?
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
Actually, the dome above the center dash is the sun sensor for the climate control system. It measures whether the sun is to the right or left of the car, to set the right v left temperature settings. We don't know for sure if it works the dash lighting too. https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post8404808
Last edited by DFWdude; Dec 15, 2021 at 11:40 AM.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
I have done more searches on this topic. There are several threads that try to identify the sensor (location) that switches the interior lighting from day to night. In short, no one has been able to find this sensor. No one.
Maybe this is a question for our MB whisperer, Konigstiger..
Maybe this is a question for our MB whisperer, Konigstiger..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,359
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
I have done more searches on this topic. There are several threads that try to identify the sensor (location) that switches the interior lighting from day to night. In short, no one has been able to find this sensor. No one.
Maybe this is a question for our MB whisperer, Konigstiger..
Maybe this is a question for our MB whisperer, Konigstiger..
