Daytime Running Lights E420 Canada

[DLL]

Making progress on this E420. It's running correctly, revving fully, and all dash lights are out - core issues fixed.
Just noticed, the DRL's aren't working (it's originally a Canadian car).
A quick search says the relays are behind the cluster. I swapped the blue one - no change. There is some funky wiring from the PO on the silver one. The female plug is missing, wire ends are directly connected to the relay. An auxiliary ground wire has been added (if disconnected the car won't crank).
I haven't removed any of this yet, as it's awkward to get at, and see fully.
Before I create any new problems, does anyone know for sure if that is actually DRL wiring? (If not, does anyone know where else to look?)
Thanks!

 

[nocfn]

not sure who has been there before, but perhaps as a suggestion, modification were made to the alarm system by someone. Others may chime in but that may be the issue behind the cluster.

For the DRL, many of us with USA models have modified the corner markers wiring by making a jumper and changing out the socket to accommodate 6 leads. It is manual process and a habit to turn on the running lights when you start the car. Search around here and see about alarm disconnect and daytime running lights.... you might find what you need.

 

[DLL]

not sure who has been there before, but perhaps as a suggestion, modification were made to the alarm system by someone. Others may chime in but that may be the issue behind the cluster.

For the DRL, many of us with USA models have modified the corner markers wiring by making a jumper and changing out the socket to accommodate 6 leads. It is manual process and a habit to turn on the running lights when you start the car. Search around here and see about alarm disconnect and daytime running lights.... you might find what you need.

Thanks. Further digging suggests that wiring behind cluster is related to the alarm system.
I think the DRL module is located in the passenger kick panel, so will check that next.
I need to figure them out, for the car to pass out of province inspection.

 

[DLL]

Sometimes you get lucky! Located the DRL module, tried a spare I happened to have, they work!

 

[DLL]

Just for fun, took the old relay apart

 

[gerryvz]

Nice and toasted !!!

 

[doolar]

My recommendation in all this is to make sure that the interior lights, especially the instrument cluster, is not illuminated except in the dark. These lights were never intended to be on all the time, in Germany you did not have the lights on other than in the dark.

In some countries it’s the same and thus not an issue, but in others not. In Sweden there’s been obligatory low beams and tail lights always on since the 70’s.

The Swedish Mercedes importer Philipssons did often order the cars without the original optional unit that controlled this correctly, and instead opted to deliver the cars with a simpler unit that basically turned everything on like if you manually switched the lights on. Basically every single instrument cluster from a Swedish W124-era Mercedes have more or less melt damages. Often also in interior lights since they often were replaced by too high wattage bulbs that just ran too hot for too long.

I bet a lot of you guys already know this, or are lucky enough to not have to deal with it. Just thought I’d share my experience anyway.

 

[Funny Bunny]

Sometimes you get lucky! Located the DRL module, tried a spare I happened to have, they work!

I disconnected this module to remove my DRL and it worked but now my interior and gauge cluster lights are off at night and don’t turn on with the lights. How can I fix it?

 

[DLL]

I disconnected this module to remove my DRL and it worked but now my interior and gauge cluster lights are off at night and don’t turn on with the lights. How can I fix it?

I'm not sure it's related. Do your interior lights work again if you reconnect the module?

 

[Funny Bunny]

I'm not sure it's related. Do your interior lights work again if you reconnect the module?

I have not reconnected it but they went out the same time I took out the module. Gauge cluster, shifter letters illumination, etc all off

 

[sheward]

Have you tried rotating the rheostat? Could have been a coincidence.

 

[Funny Bunny]

Have you tried rotating the rheostat? Could have been a coincidence.

That wouldn’t explain why every other light is off too (shifter, climate control, all buttons, light switch light)
Oh well it makes driving at night more fun because i can’t see my speed

 

[gsxr]

That wouldn’t explain why every other light is off too (shifter, climate control, all buttons, light switch light)

The dash illumination rheostat controls all the interior lighting (instrument cluster, shifter, climate control, all buttons, rotary light switch light, dash vent wheels).

 

[DLL]

That wouldn’t explain why every other light is off too (shifter, climate control, all buttons, light switch light)
Oh well it makes driving at night more fun because i can’t see my speed

Actually, it can affect the others too

The dash illumination rheostat controls all the interior lighting (instrument cluster, shifter, climate control, all buttons, rotary light switch light, dash vent wheels).

That's what I thought too

 

[nocfn]

Still not a bad Idea to pull cluster and clean the contacts. Freshen things up and that spring rheostat gets plenty dirty messing with all electrics in there. Secondly, your headlight switch if original controls almost as much voltage as the ignition switch. If original, replace it too while you are there. My replacement needed replacing not too long ago...

 

[Funny Bunny]

Thank you I will try it and report back this week.

 

[Funny Bunny]

Hi everyone. No luck. The lighting comes back on when reconnecting the DRL module. They must be related somehow. I am going to try and bypass it another way.