Dashboard illumination on C36

[sgregory124]

Hi all,

Firstly I just like to say, i'm what you might call new to Mercedes ownership, having only owned my C36 for 2 days but I have a question which if its been answered before then I apologise for cluttering the board up unecessarily...so here goes!

I noticed last night that the headlight/foglight knob/switch area of the dash doesn't illuminate when you switch on the headlights. I assume this isn't normal? The strange thing is the orange foglight warning light works fine when you switch the fogs on....weird.

Could this be a bulb?, could this be a fuse? if so how easy would the bulb be to change? I've checked the manual for the fusebox location(s) so i'm ok with that....any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance

Simon

 

[jaymanek]

this is a bulb, easy replacement.
remove the knob, youll need to pull it out hard. Then undo the nut that holds the switch. then pull out the switch assembly, there is one bulb that light up the whole surround. youll find it easy enough. Makesure you buy this tiny bulb from a dealer as most accessories shops will sell you the wrong power rating and hence will make the area get very hot.

Jay

 

[sgregory124]

Thats great Jay, thanks for the info

Simon

 

[Spike]

I'm not sure on this one....there was a debate on this topic before but stone me, I cant find it.

From what I remember, all cars had the amber fog light warning, some (depending on model and year) had the switch surround light up and none of the models seemed to actually had the switch itself lit.

My guess is that yours isn't supposed to be illuminated as from recollection, the newer cars did not have them lit (it reflects in the rear view mirror and can be distracting) but a quick inspection should reveal whether there is a bulb present or not.

HTH

 

[jaymanek]

(it reflects in the rear view mirror and can be distracting)


Bit confused Spike, what do you mean by the above... How can the dim lighting around the switch cause any interference with the rear view mirror??

My c220 CDI definately did light up, so i thought it must be the same.... you could be right tho!

 

[Spike]

If you are on an unlit road, the switch gear lighting reflects directly in your rear view mirror and in your periferral vision, it looks like they are lights of a car behind you shining dimly in your rear view mirror.

Try it in your 220, you'll see what I mean.

 

[jaymanek]

I think were getting our wires crossed.
I think what the post is about is the lighting of the surround of the switch, not the switch itself.

spike:Looking at the pic on your post about your steering wheel, its the bit around the switch which indicates wheteher youve selected parking lights , sidelights or headlights....

Anyway, will soon find out..just check whether you have a bulb!

 

[sgregory124]

Just as a follow up to this...I have since discovered that the headlight/foglight knob/switch thing doesn't light up, the symbols are in fact just painted on to the facia LOL

So, no problem there then! (bit irritating not being able to see it in the dark though grrrr)

Simon

 

[Tinyflier]

It came as a surprise to me too (on my C43) that this switch/surround is NOT permanently illuminated. Certainly on my E 430 that area was always dimly lit and immensely useful it was too - heyho - that will teach me for buying a cheap £50K Merc - ho ho ho!

David

 

[jaymanek]

Wow how stingy!! I guess they only put them on the E Class and above!