Can any one tell me if front dome (courtesy) lights from a 1985 500SEC or from any W126 have the delay circuitry...that is, open car door than close...courtesy light remains on until time delay turns it back off.

If yes, how many seconds?

TIA

It should have a time delay, but I don't know exactly how the Gen1 cars operate. I believe my friend's 85 300D had the same time delay unit, and when the door was shut the light would remain on for around 4 seconds in all conditions. There's an electrolytic capacitor in there, if the time delay is busted that would be the first think I would try replacing.

On my Gen2 car the delay is disabled when the key is on.

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Thanks for the quick reply!

My 85' 190E (with collector plates) didn't have the delay, 86' models came with a 7sec delay & 88' on with 15sec.

Prices for dome lights for the W201 on eBay are HIGH. But for W126, W123, etc are fairly cheap & my understanding they are interchangeable.

But just wanted to make sure the early models for the W126, W123, etc. came with the delay function 1st.

I modded the "trim ring" on the ignition tumbler with a light feature & wanted to connect this to a dome light with delay timer. Open car door, than close...trim ring on ignition tumbler "glows blue" & remains on till it times out.

You'll have to tell me how you added the light up trim ring, that's one thing I always liked about Mom's Chrysler vans.

-J

My '82 W123 does not have the delay, but my '83 does. It's a small circuit board within the dome light assembly on the '83.

Thanks for the heads up!

It's called el wire, they come in diff colors & dia.
One time I was going use the bigger dia ones to do a "angel eye" look on the instrument cluster's gauges, but didn't...it'll look too ricey.

Here are a few pics installed on the trim ring.

Attached Thumbnails

         

Wish my 126 had 15 sec. Its a 91 and its about 4 seconds. I have a kit I am planning to install in spring which will extend it 10 seconds and then slowly dim the interior lights - also does it right away with key-on.

__________________
1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

I was thinking of picking up one from a W126, 4sec only...not good.

I just did a full DIY here, if anyone is interested....

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w126-s-se-sec-sel-sd/1564298-front-dome-courtesy-light.html

Cool BWorld thread. I never asked, but always wondered if the red door reflectors were suppose to light up. Guess they do not.

__________________
1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

Ok, maybe more than 4 seconds on my 91. Maybe 8 at most. Its way to short though.

__________________
1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

I'm going to have to do the door reflectors mod. I also want to take the rear dome light switch from a W124 wagon and modify it to do my bidding in my car. In the W124 it lets you pick from on, door, or off for the rear lights. I'd hook it up so that the rear lights would only come on with the rear doors, front or rear, or turn on just the rear.

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.