2010 S550 DRL issues
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Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 89
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From: Roseville, Ca
01 ML55 / 97 E320/01 CLK55/ 2010 S550
2010 S550 DRL issues
On my 2010 S550 my DRL lights never turn on bright, only for a split second when I turn all the way to the right and back off. Now I know it is supposed to turn on bright when you enable the DRL and have the switch set to zero. The headlamps are always on regardless the switch setting 0 or auto when the DRL setting is enabled. When the DRL is disabled, I can turn off the headlamps when set to 0. What could be the issue? I was thinking the DRL or headlamp sensor may be malfunctioned but not sure because when the DRL is enabled, when I go under the freeway overpass, my dash does get dim till I pass through the bridge. Anyone has this situation or know what it is? Thanks....
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Joined: Dec 2010
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From: NYC
'01 S500 AMG Sport, ABC,Distronic,Rear Side Shades // '10 E350 P2, Pano, BLK/ALM,4MATIC Sport
Sorry to say but that's how Mercedes-Benz designed the lighting system for 2010-2013... The DRLs dim when the headlights are on and DRL on feature overrides the light switch weather it's in O or Auto... Only the path light feature is disabled when in O....
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 7
From: Roseville, Ca
01 ML55 / 97 E320/01 CLK55/ 2010 S550
What I'm saying is the DRL never gets bright. When I'm driving during the day weather the drl is enabled or disabled, O or auto, the DRLs never get bright, always stay dim. I know they do get bright when I switch all the way to the right and back to O for a second. Supposedly when you enable the DRL feature when you set the headlights to O the Headlights supposed to be off and the DRL set on and bright, is that correct? because the only way I can get the headlamps to turn off during the day is to disable the DRL feature. This does not seem correct. I'm wondering if this is a car issue or could it be really made like this? it doesn't make sense because the DRL's are never on bright regardless and also the headlights are always on regardless of switch position on a bright sunny day unless you disable the DRL feature. What could be the issue?
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 96
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From: NYC
'01 S500 AMG Sport, ABC,Distronic,Rear Side Shades // '10 E350 P2, Pano, BLK/ALM,4MATIC Sport
What I'm saying is the DRL never gets bright. When I'm driving during the day weather the drl is enabled or disabled, O or auto, the DRLs never get bright, always stay dim. I know they do get bright when I switch all the way to the right and back to O for a second. Supposedly when you enable the DRL feature when you set the headlights to O the Headlights supposed to be off and the DRL set on and bright, is that correct? because the only way I can get the headlamps to turn off during the day is to disable the DRL feature. This does not seem correct. I'm wondering if this is a car issue or could it be really made like this? it doesn't make sense because the DRL's are never on bright regardless and also the headlights are always on regardless of switch position on a bright sunny day unless you disable the DRL feature. What could be the issue?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 7
From: Roseville, Ca
01 ML55 / 97 E320/01 CLK55/ 2010 S550
So are you saying that headlight/tails are on during daylight with the switch in O or Auto with DRL feature on in the cluster ? The DRLs are only suppose to stay bright during daylight and dim when the headlights/tails come on due to, entering a tunnel, night driving or from the rain sensor when the wipers are activated in either O or auto switch setting with DRL feature turned on in the cluster. They turn off also when headlights are turned on manually. With DRL feature off the headlights only comes on when set to Auto and turned on manually.. In auto at night you we'll see the DRLs turn bright for a second and then dim when headlights are activated... If none of these operations don't seem to apply to your car you want to check if the windshield was replaced which might cause the light sensor mounted there to malfunction or it could be faulty module which could be front SAM, rear SAM or and overhead module that's triggering the lights to stay on during day light if that's what's happening ..
I found out the issue. At the sensor there is a 3 wire ribbon cable that plugs into the unit. I took a closer look at the connector and found one of the female pin connector broken, as I was checking closer examining it, the rest of the two was starting to look like they were about to break and these connections are very weak so what I did is I found a 3 pin connector (female) to replace the frail part and soldered the wires to the ribbon cable and tested it and it is now in working order. How these pins started to break is a mystery. Perhaps at one point someone did replace the windshield because there isn't a Mercedes logo on the shield like the rest of the windows. When it was replaced perhaps upon unplugging may have bent the frail connector.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 96
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From: NYC
'01 S500 AMG Sport, ABC,Distronic,Rear Side Shades // '10 E350 P2, Pano, BLK/ALM,4MATIC Sport
I found out the issue. At the sensor there is a 3 wire ribbon cable that plugs into the unit. I took a closer look at the connector and found one of the female pin connector broken, as I was checking closer examining it, the rest of the two was starting to look like they were about to break and these connections are very weak so what I did is I found a 3 pin connector (female) to replace the frail part and soldered the wires to the ribbon cable and tested it and it is now in working order. How these pins started to break is a mystery. Perhaps at one point someone did replace the windshield because there isn't a Mercedes logo on the shield like the rest of the windows. When it was replaced perhaps upon unplugging may have bent the frail connector.
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Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
2012 S550 (W221)
I found out the issue. At the sensor there is a 3 wire ribbon cable that plugs into the unit. I took a closer look at the connector and found one of the female pin connector broken, as I was checking closer examining it, the rest of the two was starting to look like they were about to break and these connections are very weak so what I did is I found a 3 pin connector (female) to replace the frail part and soldered the wires to the ribbon cable and tested it and it is now in working order. How these pins started to break is a mystery. Perhaps at one point someone did replace the windshield because there isn't a Mercedes logo on the shield like the rest of the windows. When it was replaced perhaps upon unplugging may have bent the frail connector.
It would really be helpful.
Thankyou
