[Duncapher]

Hey -

Recently, when I started taking sharp right turns in my E430, the interior lights would dim on and then dim off as I came out of the turn. As of today, every time I turn the wheel to the right, by any degree, the interior lights come on. Unless I am turning left, they tend to stay on.

Is there anything I can do about this? Thanks.

 

[Plutoe]

Yep check the four interior door light switches.

Then also check where the make contact with the individual door covering. You may be surprised at what you find!! One or more may opening and causing the lamps to light!

 

[Duncapher]

I checked everything but it all looks normal to me. What would I be looking for, specifically?

 

[Plutoe]

Just to confirm----you opened each door, then with you finger held down the switch, and the lamps went out, then you carefully looked at where the switch makes contact with the door panel and did not notice and large indentation that may lead you to believe that the switch may not be fully closed when the door is shut!!! Am I correct!!

 

[raymond-]

turning right.....

this indicates that centrifugal force is pushing the driver side door outwards.
the door pin in that door is just oh-so-barely out of tolerance that the door
is believed to be opening.....ergo, interior lights come on....and door lock/pin
pops up.

replace door pin ($20 plus labor)

tape a small coin opposite the door pin to shim up the unwanted space. when
the door closes, it will open the door pin switch with more affirmation, interrupting
circuit flow. (5, 10, 25 cents plus labor)

(search this forum using words "door pin switch" for other threads)

 

[lswpubrw]

I'm having a different interior lights problem. They don't come on for any door opening. If I press the switch above the mirror, on the button showing doors, the lights come on but don't go out unless I push the switch again. In other words none of door switches seem to be working?
Bob

 

[raymond-]

I'm having a different interior lights problem. They don't come on for any door opening. If I press the switch above the mirror, on the button showing doors, the lights come on but don't go out unless I push the switch again. In other words none of door switches seem to be working?
Bob

you can find a copy of the owner's manual in our STICKY. but you may also get
the answer over at the 211 forum. the 210s cover 96-02.

 

[lswpubrw]

Ray thanks. I have an owners manual I downloaded from MBUSA. This is the problem I'm having. I press button 1 which is the button showing the doors open and the lights come on for ~ 5 minutes. I've just determined the driver door light switch apparently isn't working because entering through that door does not put the lights on. Entering any of the other 3 doors does. Opening the tailgate turns on the back interior light but it almost immediately goes into rapid dimming even if the tailgate is left up. When the lights come on by any of the 3 doors other than the drivers they stay on for 5 minutes. I suspect this is what was causing me the confusion with the operation of button 1. Appears as if the PO was turning button 1 off so the interior lights didn't stay on for 5 minutes. BTW don't see any switches on the door pillars similar to the W123 my former experience is on.

Bob

 

[lswpubrw]

I found the culprit. The driver's door switch is pushed into the pillar. Looks like the outer plastic piece that holds it is broken. This was hard to spot because all the exterior switch parts are black as is the pillar. Anyway I now know where the door switches are, but it's not obvious how it comes out especially since part of it is broken.
Bob