Headlight switch.

[Geoff W]

Hi All.
Should the headlight switch on my 97 C180 be illuminated or not?
I would have thought it should be, but it is not, If it should be, how do i get to the bulb holders? Many thanks to all the contributors, I am now addicted and need my fix every evening, Sad Eh! Geoff.

 

[JohnnyW]

Hi Geoff,

I have a 1994 C200 and my headlight switch does not illuminate either. I have been told on this forum that it shouldn't, which I think is a design fault.

If there's anyone out there who knows this not to be the case, I (and Geoff presumably) would like to know

 

[Geoff W]

Hi Johnny.
Thanks for the help, looks like a designe fault, as its a bugger to find in the dark! Unless someone knows different?
Regards geoff.

 

[television]

Very few MB's had illuminated headlight swiches, strange but true.

Malcolm

 

[Geoff W]

Thanks Malcolm, at least i know now, suppose i should carry a torch if all else fails ? Regards Geoff.

 

[C220GJS]

The w202 C-class does not have illumination on the light switch except for the amber warning light in the centre for the rear fog light, I agree it's a bad omission but you soon find the switch without looking.
Geo.

 

[JohnnyW]

Dont suppose you can buy a newer switch which does illuminate? Also, are the heater controls (rotary switches for fan etc and the 2 dials for temp) supposed to light up also? Mine doesn't!

 

[C220GJS]

Don't know of an illuminating light switch suitable for the W202, but the heater control switches should be backlit,are both sides out on your car ?. The bulbs are in the centre spindles of the fan speed and directional controls, the knobs can just be pulled off using padded pliers.
Geo.

 

[JohnnyW]

Both sides are out. There is just a big black area there when driving at night

 

[C220GJS]

Is any area of the centre console lit when your lights are switched on?.

 

[JohnnyW]

Just the rear demister and hazards. The air recycle switch does not light up either, nor the two thumbwheels for temp control

 

[C220GJS]

Ok,I think your problem is the bulbs behind the dials as I described before ,they light the thumbwheels as well via a perspex feed, the bulbs are mini capless,12v/1.2w, available from motor factors,MB or Halfords.
Geo.

 

[JohnnyW]

Hi again,

Took the knobs off only to find there were no bulbs there. Put new ones in and turned the lights on and bingo.........IT WORKS!! Well, sort of. When the engine is running WITHOUT the lights being switched on, the heater controls remain illuminated except they now pulse on and off. When the lights ARE switched on, it seems that they do not light up.

Which makes me wonder if there is a little bit of a short circuit or something somewhere and that is the reason why the bulbs had been removed by the previous owner?

Suppose I should take it to an auto electrician as I know bugger all about auto electrics, or anything electrical for that matter (I can just about change a plug in the house!!)

 

[JohnnyW]

By the way, the air recycle switch now lights up red when pressed, but it pulses the same as the dials!! It never even blinked before:-|

 

[C220GJS]

Um!!. Does the pulse frequency change when you move the thumbwheels to change the heater temperature?.

 

[JohnnyW]

Don't think so. Any suggestions?

 

[C220GJS]

I was just thinking the pulsing could be a link to the duovalve system as they pulse to control the water flow to the heater, the connection between the two could be an earthing problem.
Geo.