Roof panel area, what is it?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 35
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From: Southern Calif
2013 ML350
Roof panel area, what is it?
I just picked up a 2010 GLK 4Matic and have the panoramic roof. I noticed the other day in the sun that the roof area that is just behind the front windshield has an area in the middle of it that from the right angle looks like a solar panel or something about 4" by 6" wide. It sits dead center on the roof between the driver and passenger seats on the roof between the sunroof and the front windshield, about 3 inches back from the top of the windshield. It could be just the back of the overhead console that shows through, but I have to believe Mercedes is too purposeful to have it show through.. Im sure it does something but cant find it even in the maintenance manuals I have, any ideas what it is? trickle charger for the overhead lights when sun is out?
Thanks in advance
CMasten
Thanks in advance
CMasten
Last edited by cmasten; Jan 11, 2013 at 04:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 35
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From: Southern Calif
2013 ML350
over 100 views and no thoughts?
maybe its just the backside of the overhead center console, nothing in service manual talks about a sensor or solar panel etc. I was hopeful Mercedes had some clever technology utilizing this space :-)
maybe its just the backside of the overhead center console, nothing in service manual talks about a sensor or solar panel etc. I was hopeful Mercedes had some clever technology utilizing this space :-)
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Looking at CLS 550
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From: Minnesota, USA
2009 Lancer Ralliart
I can barely make out the area you are talking about from that picture- however to me it doesn't look like a solar array of any kind since it does not appear to be segmented. Is this a translucency of the paint that we are looking at? Perhaps like you said it could be electronics housing for the interior lights. If you took a picture with the area wiped clean at night with a flash maybe we could get a better idea.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Tromsø, 69° 41' N
2010 GLK 220CDI 4M BlueEFFICIENCY
I assume such a feature does not apply for your GLK, thus excluding the roof area being a rain sensor?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 35
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From: Southern Calif
2013 ML350
I can barely make out the area you are talking about from that picture- however to me it doesn't look like a solar array of any kind since it does not appear to be segmented. Is this a translucency of the paint that we are looking at? Perhaps like you said it could be electronics housing for the interior lights. If you took a picture with the area wiped clean at night with a flash maybe we could get a better idea.
I am guessing its nothing to do with the panorama glass , but rather something to do with the overhead instrument cluster above the driver, like I mentioned I have the service manuals and there is no reference to it at all, like the rear view mirror light sensor or the windshield rain sensor, both of which are directly below the area I am speaking about.
It may be something structural to hold the overhead cluster of switches and lights. Some of you may notice it now that I brought it up the next time your washing your car. You can only see it if you open your driver door and stand in the sill and look down in the space just in front of your sun roof, its black and also glass, I can see the faint mercedes glass, wording and symbols like the front windshield has.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Northern New Jersey
2010 GLK Black, Premium 1, Lighting, Multimedia, Appearance and Media Pkg, 2012 Corvette Grand Sport
No offense but it would appear that you don't have a panoramic roof, if you did you would know that the sun shade retracts into the center section between the two glass panels.
I am sure that the glass area you have shown us has ribs that are glued to the underside of the glass to give the center roof console some place to fasten to.
So much for technology.
I am sure that the glass area you have shown us has ribs that are glued to the underside of the glass to give the center roof console some place to fasten to.
So much for technology.
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From: LI, NY, U.S.A.
2013 GLK 350 4M (Iridium Silver), 2010 E350 Coupe (Iridium Silver)
No offense but it would appear that you don't have a panoramic roof, if you did you would know that the sun shade retracts into the center section between the two glass panels.
I am sure that the glass area you have shown us has ribs that are glued to the underside of the glass to give the center roof console some place to fasten to.
So much for technology.
I am sure that the glass area you have shown us has ribs that are glued to the underside of the glass to give the center roof console some place to fasten to.
So much for technology.
Just FYI, the C that the GLK replaced and our current E coupe both have panoramic roofs. I did not think the added weight to the top of the vehicle, inevitable creaks/maintenance, loss of structural rigidity and headroom were worth the aesthetic appeal in this particular car. So, I chose no sunroof at all.
I'm glad your guess is more certain than mine but let's not jump to silly conclusions, alright?
That picture was pretty fuzzy.
