Hey guys I was just wondering if anyone out there may have done this modification.Can the interior reading light(near sunroof button)be modified to dim like the newer models instead of just turning off?

I have modified the front interior light on our 300TE so that at the end of the time delay it fades out over a period of a few seconds rather than turning off. It involved additional circuitry. I also modified the rear interior lights on the C-pillar in our wagon. I added a circuit to allow them to fade to off (over about 10 sec) and also added a small rocker switch to each so that rear passengers can operate them individually from the rear seat without the need for the driver or front passenger to activate both from the dashboard. For the circuit to achieve the fade to off, I would have to look for that. As to how I integrated the extra circuits and the switches, I notice you are in Sydney, why not come along and join the MB Club here and I will show you it all in real life!

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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.

Hi, I'm in Melbourne and would like to hear from you guys too about this feature. I don't seem to get any Melbourne Benz owners on any forum, maybe they are too busy just making money or playing golf? Where are they? Sorry, I don't mean to stir up a hornets nest either! Cheers and have a good weekend and the beer's on me.


1994 C180 Elegance auto.
2003 C180 Kompressor(dreaming only).
2003 E320 (starting to save for this, make take a lifetime).

Greg, my lights in the rear can be switched on individually(standard)I am just interested in the front reading light.
Thanx

hocky1,

Off the top of my head, I can think of one other member on this forum from Melbourne. He goes by the name of Manya. I can also think of another on the BenzWorld forum called Mike from Oz. There are also a couple from Sydney on the various forums. I can't think of any other Aussies though.


300E24V and hocky1,

Regarding the modification for the interior light, I will try to find the schematic for the additional circuit I made up. It operates on the regular (door switch operated) front interior light, not the reading light. It allows the interior light to fade to off after the delay period like the newer models rather than switching off suddenly. It also means you get the fade to off period after the ignition is switched on.

Greg

__________________
107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.

I would really appreciate that Greg and also does your club have a website?

http://www.mercedes-benzclubnsw.com.au/

__________________
107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.

I found the schematic of the additional cicuit I added to the front interior light on the 300TE. I am going to make another for my 190E. It allows the light to fade to off at the end of the delay rather than suddenly switching off.

You need to connect a wire to the existing light unit between the switch (the position which operates with the doors) and the existing timer electronics. Bring this wire out to the additional circuit (preferably via a quick-connect in-line connector). I soldered the components to the transistor which is then mounted by way of its tab to the earthing screw on the roof frame visible with the interior light unit removed. The whole circuit apart from the transistor tab is sleeved in heatshrink tubing.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.

For those who may be interested, this is the schematic of the additional circuit I added to each of the interior lights in the C-pillars of the 300TE wagon. The wagon has a light in each C-pillar and a light in each D-pillar (either side of the tailgate). All four operate from the dash mounted switch and from either rear door or the tailgate opening. This circuit, when added to each C-pillar light (one circuit is required for each light) will allow those lights to fade to off after the doors are closed. The lights in the D-pillars will switch on and off without the fade. The circuit is sleeved in heatshrink tubing and wired in series between the light and the wire coming from the switch wiring. The circuits are located within the C-pillars at each light.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.