Back lighting on the speedometer area
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
1999 E320 & 2008 S550 Designo
Back lighting on the speedometer area
Is the lighting suppose to be on at all times or is it wired to a light sensor?
When it is not on it is kinda hard to see clearly the actual speed numbers.
I have seen mine come on and sometimes off but not sure because of lighting conditions.
thanks.
When it is not on it is kinda hard to see clearly the actual speed numbers.
I have seen mine come on and sometimes off but not sure because of lighting conditions.
thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 288
Likes: 39
1999 E320, 2008 S550, 2016 G63 AMG
The two adjustment knobs...
I did adjust it when it was not lit up and it did not change the brightness. Which led me to believe it was not on for me to adjust.
The other knob did change the brightness for the command screen.
Forgot to mentioned that when the speedometer back lighting was not on... The back lighting for the RPM gauge was on...which this is why it caught my attention... Why one area was lit and not the other.
The other knob did change the brightness for the command screen.
Forgot to mentioned that when the speedometer back lighting was not on... The back lighting for the RPM gauge was on...which this is why it caught my attention... Why one area was lit and not the other.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
2007 Designo. I don't have answer, but sure know what you experience.
More common in cold weather, for me. SA says it's pixel related. I don't agree, as sometimes both work perfectly, dim when dark out/lights on, as in entering garage at night, as the cluster and COMMAND should. Equally lit in daylight. Sometimes COMMAND works fine and cluster is either dead dark or stark white and vice-versa.
Other times "max" light and neither button being turned has any effect. Or, so dark nothing can be seen/recognized. SA mentioned, too, maybe rheostat/resistor bad. Said couldn't be separately replaced. Wonderful.
Regardless, the problem is very annoying and shouldn't be happening.
Anyone else besides us two so far have this issue? Fixed? If so,how?
More common in cold weather, for me. SA says it's pixel related. I don't agree, as sometimes both work perfectly, dim when dark out/lights on, as in entering garage at night, as the cluster and COMMAND should. Equally lit in daylight. Sometimes COMMAND works fine and cluster is either dead dark or stark white and vice-versa.
Other times "max" light and neither button being turned has any effect. Or, so dark nothing can be seen/recognized. SA mentioned, too, maybe rheostat/resistor bad. Said couldn't be separately replaced. Wonderful.
Regardless, the problem is very annoying and shouldn't be happening.
Anyone else besides us two so far have this issue? Fixed? If so,how?
Last edited by Em Bee Lover; Dec 23, 2012 at 04:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
1999 E320 & 2008 S550 Designo
Ok...so it is not an isolated problem to my car only
Thanks for sharing EmBee.
I do not drive my car very much...weekends only if that...but I have
experienced the back lighting not coming on twice so far within a year period.
I park in the garage (so it is darker than outside) thus the back lighting for the speedometer should be on when the car is first started and stay on until I back out into normal lighting... if it is wired to a light sensor. It should be on at all times in my opinion...too hard to see the numbers otherwise.
I do noticed the color LEDs along the doors are on when it is in the garage...but not sure if they actually turn off once I pull out of the garage into regular lighting.
I do not drive my car very much...weekends only if that...but I have
experienced the back lighting not coming on twice so far within a year period.
I park in the garage (so it is darker than outside) thus the back lighting for the speedometer should be on when the car is first started and stay on until I back out into normal lighting... if it is wired to a light sensor. It should be on at all times in my opinion...too hard to see the numbers otherwise.
I do noticed the color LEDs along the doors are on when it is in the garage...but not sure if they actually turn off once I pull out of the garage into regular lighting.
