Auto headlights pet peeve
01-19-2019, 03:39 PM
#1
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Auto headlights pet peeve
So I dont know if something is not set right or that’s just the way the Auto headlights work, but on my 2011 GL whether I have light position in Off or Auto, they still come on if it gets dark, go into a garage, etc. Kind of drives me up the wall, whats the point of having the “0” position if they are not going to give me a choice and come on regardless? Am I missing something here? 
Does anyone know how to change/fix this?
Does anyone know how to change/fix this?
01-19-2019, 03:56 PM
#2
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Location: Dallas Texas USA
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2023 AMG EQE 53
Maybe, if you are outside and the knob is in OFF and the headlights are ON then you need to make a trip to the dealer or troubleshoot it yourself. Maybe a broken headlight switch. If you have the Command system there is a setting to keep the headlights on for a certain period of time after the car is turned off and you exit. That will override the headlight switch.
01-19-2019, 05:31 PM
#4
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Are you sure you're not getting confused with your DRL's?
Absent of that, are you saying that if you're in your driveway with the switch set to "0" that the lights are off. Then when you pull into the garage, the lights come on? That's not right. I can turn my lights completely off in the middle of the night and they stay off.
Absent of that, are you saying that if you're in your driveway with the switch set to "0" that the lights are off. Then when you pull into the garage, the lights come on? That's not right. I can turn my lights completely off in the middle of the night and they stay off.
01-19-2019, 05:52 PM
#6
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Position "0" with DRLs set to ON in the instrument cluster is the same as postion "AUTO" on the headlamp switch. It's stupid IMO, but there's a 'safety reason' behind it. If you turn off the DRL function in the IC and switch the headlamp switch to "0" then all exterior lights stay off completely. Position "AUTO" still works as intended but no DRLs in bright ambient conditions. If you have a facelifted model the DRLs only turn on when the low beams turn on. Hope this helps.
01-19-2019, 08:07 PM
#7
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Cone think about it there could be a bad relay. First question, did this just start or has it been that way since 2011? If it just started then check the relay. The headlight switch doesn't actually supply power to the headlights, it powers a relay that supplies power to the headlights. The relay could be stuck. The contacts could be stuck closed. Could try tap it gently or just replace, they are cheap and just plug in. I think they're in the fuse panel. Get out the manual that body reads or the inside of the fuse panel cover should I'd it. Or the headlight switch has gone bad.
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01-19-2019, 09:33 PM
#8
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Cone think about it there could be a bad relay. First question, did this just start or has it been that way since 2011? If it just started then check the relay. The headlight switch doesn't actually supply power to the headlights, it powers a relay that supplies power to the headlights. The relay could be stuck. The contacts could be stuck closed. Could try tap it gently or just replace, they are cheap and just plug in. I think they're in the fuse panel. Get out the manual that body reads or the inside of the fuse panel cover should I'd it. Or the headlight switch has gone bad.
At position 0 headlights still come on. Its to stop idiots from driving around with their lights off.
(It irritates me immensely more how many people drive around with lights off at night. So I'm happy with mb choice)
If it bothers you change the knob....😝
...to the parking lights
So at least from 2010 onwards
Last edited by kombifan; 01-19-2019 at 09:36 PM.
02-10-2019, 04:58 PM
#9
Member
I definitely need to check my relay, and or switch. I noticed today that no matter what time of day and with the switch in the "0" position, my headlights come on as soon as I start my truck.
02-10-2019, 05:08 PM
#10
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02-10-2019, 05:43 PM
#11
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02-10-2019, 07:50 PM
#12
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Oh, I see. It wasn't clear from your first post. I guess check it just to be sure, but yeah, it'd be odd for it change by itself. Maybe a battery change could have reset it - I dunno.
Last edited by DennisG01; 02-11-2019 at 08:43 AM.
02-10-2019, 08:00 PM
#13
Member
I did just disconnect the battery in order to reset the clock. That could have possibly done it.
02-11-2019, 05:40 AM
#15
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02-11-2019, 08:43 AM
#16
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02-11-2019, 10:00 AM
#17
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02-11-2019, 06:20 PM
#18
Member
Yea weird. Mine are like that too. Mercedes Benz 2011 GL550. I leave the DRLs "On" in the dash/speedometer cluster portion. If I try to turn the headlights off when I'm in a dark location, they stay on, even at the "0" portion.
02-11-2019, 07:42 PM
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
Have any of you guys checked the manual to see if there's a way to turn them off (again, mine is a '08, but they stay off if I want them to)? Maybe some sort of switch-turning combination?
Last edited by DennisG01; 02-11-2019 at 10:10 PM.
02-11-2019, 08:19 PM
#20
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It says they tuen off if you engage the park brake. Have yet to try that.
