I found the solution and fixed mine, by disconnecting the power to the automatic antenna. Now, the courtesy light switch in the door functions properly, lights go on and off as they should. I'd love to know how the wiring between the courtesy lights and the antenna relate. There is a power strip in the driver's footwell, but I have not investigated further.

__________________
87 300e (white/black; amg body kit)
88 300ce (red/cream; amg body kit)
93 300ce cabrio (white/blue/blue top)
93 300ce cabrio (black/grey/black top)
98 ml 320 (totaled @ 137,000 miles)
99 clk320 (black/grey/black top)