interior light mystery

[Keith Hilson]

The interior light on my E320 2004 no longer illuminates when I open the door etc. However once darkness falls it comes on and remains so until I press the car lock button on the remote.

For the last two days I now get a message on the dash each time I start the car "Convenient settings temporarily disabled to protect battery" (or words to that effect) which after a few minutes of driving is replaced with "Convenient settings enabled"

I use the car every day to travel about 15 miles to work with some occasional use during the day.

Anyone any ideas what may be causing this, or experienced it before?

 

[whitenemesis]

Is the switch for the interior lights set to 'ON' ? Of course it wont come on during the day but will stay on once darkness falls?

 

[jamesshipway]

I had problems with my interior lights on my 2003 E320 CDI when the main battery was begin to faik. After the battery was replaced by a main dealer, along with a software reset it all worked perfectly and has been fine ever since.

It may be the early signs of the battery needing to be replaced - might be worth getting it checked?

 

[Keith Hilson]

Thanks to you both

I am returning the car to the dealer tomorrow and will be sure to pass on the battery information - sounds kind of reasonable as today the windscreen wipers insisted on operating whilst in auto mode - driest day of the year so far .

Will let you know the outcome.

Keith

 

[rf065]

The interior light on my E320 2004 no longer illuminates when I open the door etc. However once darkness falls it comes on and remains so until I press the car lock button on the remote.

Did it ever come on unless it was dark before?
Mine will not come on until it is dark, they must be wired through the light sensor and do not come on in daylight.

Russ

 

[whitenemesis]

Did it ever come on unless it was dark before?
Mine will not come on until it is dark, they must be wired through the light sensor and do not come on in daylight.

Russ

Pretty much what I was getting at in post#2

 

[rf065]

Pretty much what I was getting at in post#2

Agreed.

Russ

 

[Keith Hilson]

Interior light works in daylight using manual switch.

Car fully tested with MB diagnostics and light sensor covered up to simulate darkness. All appears to work OK. Problem of light coming on after car left for a few hours not happened since last week - so either it is operator error i.e. me, or intermittent fault?

Action - see if it happens again?

 

[Rory]

As jamesshipway mentioned, did they check the battery? These cars start to throw up all sorts of wierd problems as the battery fails and it's probably still on its original.

 

[Keith Hilson]

Thanks for the battery tip. The car is due a service shortly, I shall get it checked out then. Problem is the apparent fault is no longer apparent - always leaves you thinking operator error some how!