w211 Headlight switch illumination

[jberks]

The knob itself lights up, but the surround with 0, auto, side etc doesn't. It did on the W210 though it didn't on the C so I'm not sure if I have a bulb out of not. Is it supposed to?

 

[tom7035]

I believe on some models there's no illumination to this area for some strange reason - cost, someone said recently!

 

[iancropper]

Dosen't light up on the A class either. Those Merc designers have some strange ideas!

 

[colin_thames]

Yeh, mine doesn't light up either. On a 2004 model E200 kompressor estate. Bit of a pain, but I suppose I'll get used to the switch positions. Be interesting to find out if anyone HAS got lighting on their switches.

 

[jberks]

Thanks Colin.
As your and mine are pretty new and a fault is unlikely I'd say they aren't supposed to. Its a daft omission, especially as the switch is more complex than the old ones with the extra auto setting, then again, I leave it on auto so never really fiddle with it anyway.

 

[jimsinessex]

To further confuse the issue my 1999 W208 CLK 230K does have an illuminated light switch. One bulb lights up the symbols surrounding the switch and a second lights the position mark on the knob.

Jim

 

[Donk]

My 2004 W211 does not do this, neither did the 2005 version I had for a bit. Weird that, and although I may have dreamed it, I'm sure I read somewhere that it was not illuminated as it caused reflections or something.

I was kind of hoping that they just keep forgotting to put the bulbs in at the factory instead, but I have not had the courage to take it to bits yet to find out if its true or not