Strange Interior Lights in 190E - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JohnnyAl · #1 12-11-2003, 08:56 AM

The overhead interior light cluster has displayed some strange behavior recently. When in the "door" position, the dome light comes on when you open the door and shuts off when the car is started. This is normal. But, after shutting down and opening the door, it comes on but never goes off. I have the switch in the "off" position right now so I don't drain the battery, but it's a bit annoying. In addition, the "fasten your seatbelt" indicator flashes continuously when the ignition is on, which is even more annoying.

I haven't removed the overhead cluster yet to check it out, but does anyone have an idea of what to look for when I do? And, is there anything tricky about removing that cluster? Or, should I be looking at something else?

Thanks for any info...

jrbnc · #2 12-11-2003, 09:36 AM

Yes good question mine has begun doing this randomly as well.

sbourg · #3 12-11-2003, 11:27 AM

The delay circuit is built in to the lamp ass'y. However, it could be receiving a false 'door-ajar' signal too, from a bad doorswitch. It might pay first to pull those switches out to see if one has a problem.

Steve

JohnnyAl · #4 12-12-2003, 08:23 AM

Thanks for the info...

When I went to my car this afternoon, I found that the seat-belt indicator was flashing even when the car was off. I opened and closed each door and found that when I opened the front passenger-side door, the flashing stopped. Later, at home, I pulled the switch and tried to determine if the dome light was reacting to this switch as well, but it didn't seem to.

I disassembled the switch and saw that the contacts are nothing more than plastic with a metallic coating, which is worn. Time for a new switch I guess (or maybe 4). For now, I by-passed the switch so it appears that the door is always open. This stopped the seat-belt indicator from flashing when the car is off, but it still flashes when it's on. Of course, the dome light stays on all the time, but that switch is now in the off position.

I'm not 100% convinced that it's just the switch causing everything because I think an open door would cause the flashing instead of stopping it. But, since the flashing definitely reacted to that switch, I'll start with that and follow-up if it doesn't fix it.

Thanks.

csnow · #5 12-12-2003, 10:51 AM

I have the same problem, right down to the puzzling behavior with the flashing and the passenger door. This would appear to be very common, based upon discussion volume here.

Test the door switches first (because it is easy to do so), but generally this is said to be a problem with the multi-function 'seatbelt buzzer' relay.

Bought one, but still have not gotten around to installing it, so this is 'second hand' info.

There are a number of good posts with a great deal of detail on this topic. Some even have pictures for the install process.

Relay is located deep behind the instrument cluster, roughly above the ignition switch.

Best of luck.

JohnnyAl · #6 12-19-2003, 03:34 PM

Fixed....thanks for the replies.

After replacing the passenger switch, the problem was still there (not that I thought it would be that easy). I pulled the overhead cluster to get the part number and found that it was around $95 -- better play w/it some more first.

So, I searched for the threads you referenced, but couldn't seem to find any that described similar behavior. But, they all mentioned the driver's door controlling the warnings and buzzers. On a hunch, I replaced the driver's side switch. Presto! Everything works properly. Of course, I had to replace the modified passenger switch as well, so I don't know if both were faulty or not. I ended up replacing all 4 switches for good measure.

Live and learn...