Dash lights

[deerefanatic]

Hi, quick question.

I recently installed a car alarm/remote start/remote locks in my 82 300sd.

I don't remember from previously, because I almost always run with my headlights on, but I have notice the last couple days, my dash/instrument cluster/ACC backlighting is on all the time when ignition is in run, regardless of whether the lights are on or not. I only noticed it because I was in the car wash bay, and it caught my eye when I started the car before turning on the lights.

Is this normal?

Also, who has had success with changing all the backlighting from incadescent lights to led's? I am thinking of replacing each buld with three different colored led's, white, blue, & red, with selector switchs placed in a discreet location to select color.

What do ya'll think?

[Jer]

I'm not trying to be a prick, but why must you pimpify a beautiful automobile with multi-colored LEDs? That brings shame to a classy and utilitarian vehicle.

[deerefanatic]

I'm not trying to "pimp" my vehicle, rather, I want the blue and/or red led's so that my night vision won't be affected when I am driving by myself. When I have others with me, flip a switch, and PRESTO! the standard white backlighting is..........back!

There are some discussions in the forum about replacing the dash light with LEDs, but I've never seen anything except white used.

[deerefanatic]

Originally Posted by deerefanatic

Hi, quick question.

I recently installed a car alarm/remote start/remote locks in my 82 300sd.

I don't remember from previously, because I almost always run with my headlights on, but I have notice the last couple days, my dash/instrument cluster/ACC backlighting is on all the time when ignition is in run, regardless of whether the lights are on or not. I only noticed it because I was in the car wash bay, and it caught my eye when I started the car before turning on the lights.

Is this normal?

Also, who has had success with changing all the backlighting from incadescent lights to led's? I am thinking of replacing each buld with three different colored led's, white, blue, & red, with selector switchs placed in a discreet location to select color.

What do ya'll think?

The question about whether dash lights should always be on was never answered. I am sure that they are on all the time too. I went out last night, whenever the key is in Accessory or run, the dash lights come on, and two rear marker lights also come on, regardless of headlight switch.

Is this normal?

[deerefanatic]

Ok guys, I checked and the dash lights are always one when key is out of the "lock" position. Dimmer has no effect on the lights' brightness.

This is definately a problem that has just cropped up recently, as it didn't exist before.

I'm going to try and check the wiring on the headlight switch tomorrow, see if that's the problem. Any other possibilities?

[deerefanatic]

About a month and a half ago, I took the car to the carwash. I got in after washing it, and turned on the key and started the car, and realized, "The dash lights are out!"

They are back to working totally normal now. On and dimable with headlights on, out the rest of the time.

I never did figure out what was going on..


Weird I say........