Just got a new (used) 1998 E430. Canadian car.

It has the factory xenon lights. When I turn the car on and put it into gear, the headlights come on, as is standard. This is independent of the light switch inside the car.

However, the interior lights - instrument panel, dash, gear selector, climate control/radio - don't come on until I turn the lights on with the light switch on the dash.

Is this normal? Something to do with the xenons?

I thought that all the interior lights should come on when the car is in gear?

TIA

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon