I was going to post this small but annoying question. It was about the switches used for the front heated seats, fanfare horn and rear window shade. They are bright and much more "gold" in color. I actually like them. But when I fade, they still are much brighter than the other switches.

Never got around to asking why. But today, i found out why. I have pics even though I am sure its common. These switches, and these only it appears, are lit by L.E.D.s!

I know 91 is not that long ago and LEDs have been around for some time before 1991. But I though it very, very odd considering that all the other lights appear to use a regular lamp that is dimmed to make a more yellow light appearance.

Weird. I would have thought with the "cutting" edge attitude and first to market drive, they would have used LEDs across all switches. I think I may upgrade all the switches to LED if possible. And the spider optic thing too.

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

I've actually retrofitted LED's into MB switches. Here's the problem with LED's: they don't dim linearly with voltage like incandescents do. The right way to dim LED's is with pulse with modulation, which modern cars use for interior lighting with LED's.

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86 560SL
With homebrew first gear start!
85 380SL
Daily Driver Project

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm

I thought the w126 lights were fiber optic and not tiny bulbs like the others.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Nope, Gen2 cars are a mix and match of LEDs and the fibre optic hydra. In my car everything fades at the same rate, even the radio face.

-J

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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.