what the hell is this on my rear view

[Section 8]

so what is this... a red and a green light.. some tiems it flashes for no reason

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3885/img0597jl0.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3001/img0598ft0.jpg

[hvmercy]

IR sensor

[Section 8]

the car in front a update 202 hasent got it (my bros car)

[chaddeus]

iirc, the red/green lights are related to keyless entry on the preupdate.

updated models use a different system (and different key) for keyless entry.

[Section 8]

so by keyles entry you mean i dont need to use the key remote locking button to open the car..?

[chaddeus]

Using the key's remote unlock/lock button is what I refer to as "keyless entry."

[kameraguy]

AFAIK the IR entry system was MY 1997 (at least in the USA?). I don't recall seeing MY 1996 having any keyless entry system, and I thought 1998+ went with RF keyless entry.

You point the keyfob at either the driver's door IR sensor (on the handle), the rearview mirror as you saw, or the rear trunk sensor.

Red indicates the doors are locking.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/3649/04mv9r24771sm.jpg

Green indicates the doors are unlocking.

Some tricks with the system:

Trick 1) With a locked w202, point the keyfob towards any sensor and press the keyfob button TWICE in quick succession to automatically open the bootlid. Practice your timing to get the hang of this.

Trick 2) When locking the w202, hold down the keyfob button for a couple of seconds. Windows and sunroof will automatically close if open.

Trick 3) When unlocking the w202, if windows are rolled up, hold down the keyfob button as in trick 2...this will roll down the windows. Convenient on a hot day.

I really love the IR system. Not that it's better than the RF system. It's not... you are limited in range, and it's line-of-sight. But it's another quirky MB design which is just cool (like the mono-wiper and headlamp wipers).

Imho, whenever those lights illuminate, it's a reminder of how unique the w202 is.

[kameraguy]

Originally posted by Section 8
so what is this... a red and a green light.. some tiems it flashes for no reason

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3885/img0597jl0.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3001/img0598ft0.jpg


Does your driver's door handle have these lights too? Sounds like you haven't seen these lights before? If yours do not illuminate on a regular basis, I believe there is a fuse for this. Might be blown or has an intermittent connection.

[stox]

Originally posted by kameraguy
AFAIK the IR entry system was MY 1997 (at least in the USA?). I don't recall seeing MY 1996 having any keyless entry system, and I thought 1998+ went with RF keyless entry.

The '96 USA C36 had the IR keyless entry system, I can't comment on others, though.

[Section 8]

Originally posted by kameraguy
Does your driver's door handle have these lights too? Sounds like you haven't seen these lights before? If yours do not illuminate on a regular basis, I believe there is a fuse for this. Might be blown or has an intermittent connection.

i dont have these on the doors no, just the rear view... and it seems that my range to unlock/lock the doors has dwindled to nothing

[lamf]

yeah thats because it unlocks and locks from the led light in the key so the light needs to be able to hit the sensor in the rear view.

[yusuke280]

Originally posted by kameraguy
AFAIK the IR entry system was MY 1997 (at least in the USA?). I don't recall seeing MY 1996 having any keyless entry system, and I thought 1998+ went with RF keyless entry.

You point the keyfob at either the driver's door IR sensor (on the handle), the rearview mirror as you saw, or the rear trunk sensor.

Red indicates the doors are locking.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/3649/04mv9r24771sm.jpg

Green indicates the doors are unlocking.

Some tricks with the system:

Trick 1) With a locked w202, point the keyfob towards any sensor and press the keyfob button TWICE in quick succession to automatically open the bootlid. Practice your timing to get the hang of this.

Trick 2) When locking the w202, hold down the keyfob button for a couple of seconds. Windows and sunroof will automatically close if open.

Trick 3) When unlocking the w202, if windows are rolled up, hold down the keyfob button as in trick 2...this will roll down the windows. Convenient on a hot day.

I really love the IR system. Not that it's better than the RF system. It's not... you are limited in range, and it's line-of-sight. But it's another quirky MB design which is just cool (like the mono-wiper and headlamp wipers).

Imho, whenever those lights illuminate, it's a reminder of how unique the w202 is.

wow after having the car for 1x years, i never knew that... cant wait till i try that this summer..!