Auto Lights problem

[Viking]

Hi,

I have a B180 SE and the auto lights keep doing odd things. On bright sunny days, they often come on, particularly when going down tree lined roads. If I am driving with the sun behind me they come on. Then on a dull day they don't come on at all. The local MB dealer has changed the sensor twice, but to no avail. The dealer says that it is setup correctly, but it seems very strange to me.

Anyone got any ideas.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jberks]

The sensor is good, but it's not infallable. It responds to light so if its in shadow, even if the overall light is good, it may decide to come on. Equally, a dull day may still be light enough for it to decide not to come on. Often, visibility on a dull day can be poor more due to moisture in the air than lack of light. You won't see the difference as you judge it by how far you can see, but the sensor can only see the amount of light from the sky. Mine is great, but I do have to override it occasionally, just as I have to do with the rain sensor.

If it comes on when it gets dark and generally doesn't during the day, it's probably fine.

 

[television]

I have heard of this before when using the auto light setting and there may not be a cure if this is when its doing it

 

[FIBAMAN]

My experience was exactly the same, there were times when it was brilliant open, unshaded light and then the lights would come on, othertimes it could be almost dark and they would not. Dealer said all was ok, but they are worth watching as they could come on at an inappropriate time and someone may think you are giving a signal.

 

[brandwooddixon]

I suspect that the light sensor suffers the same problems which you get with auto wipers. Mine always comes on if I drive down a tree lined road on a bright day.

 

[Viking]

Many thanks for all the replies. This is much as I thought. Pity they don't come with a warning, my main concern is that they come on at the wrong time and someone thinks I am signalling. Probably best turned off most of the time. The dealer said there was no adjustment for the sensor, perhaps they should stop putting them on the cars for safety reasons.

 

[DougCLK320]

Many thanks for all the replies. This is much as I thought. Pity they don't come with a warning, my main concern is that they come on at the wrong time and someone thinks I am signalling......

Come on Viking, we drive Mercedes Benz - no one expects us to signal !!!!!
Doug

 

[Viking]

Come on Viking, we drive Mercedes Benz - no one expects us to signal !!!!!
Doug

So that's what I'm doing wrong My excuse is that this is my first Mercedes Benz, which I might add I am very pleased with.

 

[jberks]

To be fair, they don't come on and off that quickly so it's doubtful anyone will think you are flashing.

 

[panason1c]

The auto lights 'feature' can get you into trouble!!!

My partner was following another car in convoy in bright daylight when, for no apparent reason and unknown to her at the time, the auto headlights activated, the column switch happened to be in the high beam position so the driver in front of her thought that she was 'giving him the lights' ...he reacted by acting very aggressively towards her by speeding up and then braking hard in front of her, hand signs, etc....this continued for a short while until she decided to pull over and realised the lights had turned on when she saw the blue 'high beam' light was illuminated.

Therefore.......If a driver in front of you begins to act strangely towards you check if your lights have come on!

ps.....Just in case you didnt know......In 'auto' position the lights will ALWAYS come on, even in daylight, when the windscreen wipers are activated and the car is moving.

 

[carabind]

On an old lexus soarer I wish to run, the side lights came on at one light level, then the headlights came on at a diffrent( ie darker) level. I have noticed similar problems as experience below on my MB but not at all on the lexus - and that was a 1991 car !

 

[whitenemesis]

ps.....Just in case you didnt know......In 'auto' position the lights will ALWAYS come on, even in daylight, when the windscreen wipers are activated and the car is moving.

After approximately 30sec. It's a requirement to use dipped headlamps in rain.

 

[Geezer]

ps.....Just in case you didnt know......In 'auto' position the lights will ALWAYS come on, even in daylight, when the windscreen wipers are activated and the car is moving.

Thanks for that - I had wondered. Mine seem to come on willy nilly!! What niggles me on my W209 CLK is that there is no indication in the instrument panel that the lights are on at all unless high beam is on. Or have I bulb out?

 

[panason1c]

What niggles me on my W209 CLK is that there is no indication in the instrument panel that the lights are on at all unless high beam is on. Or have I bulb out?

Same here!.....no indication on the dash whatsoever that the lights have come on.......

 

[whitenemesis]

Same here!.....no indication on the dash whatsoever that the lights have come on.......

Surely you should have an indicator (usually green) to show the dipped beam is on?

Do the instrument cluster lights not come on?

 

[Geezer]

Surely you should have an indicator (usually green) to show the dipped beam is on?

Do the instrument cluster lights not come on?

1. Nope

2. Aren't they on all the time?

 

[whitenemesis]

1. Nope

2. Aren't they on all the time?

The cluster shouldn't be illuminated all the time.

But I'm basing this all on my 203 (2005) I can't imagine your car would be that different though

 

[DougCLK320]

Correct - on the W209, the cluster's illuminated all the time the ignition's turned on, and I agree that it's annoying there's no light to confirm the headlamps are lit - like there is on my lad's five grand Panda.

 

[Chas]

Thanks for that - I had wondered. Mine seem to come on willy nilly!! What niggles me on my W209 CLK is that there is no indication in the instrument panel that the lights are on at all unless high beam is on. Or have I bulb out?

I find this really annoying too.

In my S Class there is only an indication on the instument panel when High beam is on (blue) . I cant see the "green" indication for headlamp on the light switch for the steering wheel !..... bad design for the flagship model . Also the headlamp heated washer button is even more "hidden" by the steering wheel and I have to look round the side and take my eyes off the road to find it and press it

 

[whitenemesis]

WOW!!

The C class "out-classes" the S

Dash lights only come on if ambient level is low. There is a green dipped indicator in the speedo dial and a blue high beam indicator in the rev counter.