If the 116 is anything like the 126, the key has to be "on" for the glove box light to work. I bring it up because I thought my car had an intermittent fault until I discovered this "secret". Kind of stupid IMHO since usually you're trying to store something in the glove box after you shut the car off...

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 157K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 125K (SLoL)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Gone and wanting to forget:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™) [Definitely NOT a Benz]