W211 E Class Xenon Headlight Problem

ManJ · 10-10-2009, 09:19 PM

Hello!

I have noticed that I get a malfunction warning for "Left Dipped Beam", this is my drivers side xenon bulb. Which is fine, but what seems to be troubling me is that it goes off then comes back on etc. So is this normal when a xenon bulb blows, or is it a short somewhere?

The car is a 2004 E Class, I have done 70,000 miles, if I need to change the bulb, how much and where would I get it from? Is it a bulb I can change myself?

Any comments welcome.

desilva · 10-10-2009, 10:20 PM

Could be the controller or the bulb. If I were you id swap the bulbs around and see if the fault follows, just to make sure.

If it is the controller, they are quite expensive.

The bulbs are fairly easy to replace. You have to identify the type of bulb and the can be quite expensive depending on where you get them from. Ive found Ebay suppliers to be about the cheapest and that includes some people selling the Philips bulbs at less than half price.

I bought General Electric bulbs for about £50 for the pair.

ManJ · 11-10-2009, 06:12 PM

So they are as easy as changing the normal bulb are they?

desilva · 11-10-2009, 07:15 PM

Yep,

They are just a bulb, nothing fancy. Just make sure you don't handle the glass

ManJ · 11-10-2009, 07:18 PM

Right, ive already hit a problem, I have disconnected the square black box on the back of the light, which has a green cable that goes into it, and the two connectors on the side is black and the plastic around them have melted, so think this is where they are shorting, the only problem is, I cannot get this back on, any pointers?

mirras · 11-10-2009, 07:31 PM

A couple of things....

Xenons use very high voltage, make sure there is no chance of power getting to the bulbs and more importantly YOU while you are changing them.

If I remember right the 'black box' has a safety feature that stops you putting it back on if the green cable is plugged in. Make sure the cable is not plugged in and turn the plastic ring back to allow the black box to fit back onto the back of the light unit then plug the green wire back in....

It's a long time since I did this but I put a pair of new bulbs in my 211 as one bulb went and the dealer couldn't match the colour and they would not replace the remaining working bulb under warranty.

ManJ · 11-10-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirras

A couple of things....

Xenons use very high voltage, make sure there is no chance of power getting to the bulbs and more importantly YOU while you are changing them.

If I remember right the 'black box' has a safety feature that stops you putting it back on if the green cable is plugged in. Make sure the cable is not plugged in and turn the plastic ring back to allow the black box to fit back onto the back of the light unit then plug the green wire back in....

It's a long time since I did this but I put a pair of new bulbs in my 211 as one bulb went and the dealer couldn't match the colour and they would not replace the remaining working bulb under warranty.

Thanks for this, I have definatley got the power off, and the green cable disconnected, but it doesnt go on.
Sorry but what do you mean by "turn the plastic ring back" I dont know what this is?

The black box is definatley burnt, and stinks of melted plastic, so looks like I will need a new one of this, I think the problem is in this, and not in the the bulb, but I maybe wrong. I have called my mechanic and he has said that the black box is the ignitor, and this is what will be gone bad, the part number is "5DD 008 319-10"

Any comments welcome...

mirras · 11-10-2009, 08:30 PM

The box is 'keyed' so it only fits on one way. This key has a lock that moves when the plug with the green cable is plugged in which stops it fitting. I'll try and find some old photos but it sounds like you'll need to buy a new one first. Any chance you can post a photograph?

ManJ · 11-10-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirras

The box is 'keyed' so it only fits on one way. This key has a lock that moves when the plug with the green cable is plugged in which stops it fitting. I'll try and find some old photos but it sounds like you'll need to buy a new one first. Any chance you can post a photograph?

It doesnt look like this has any moving parts, can I email you a picture? I dont know how to post one online.

mirras · 11-10-2009, 08:47 PM

I've PM'd my email address to you

mirras · 11-10-2009, 09:00 PM

This is the only photo I can find, it shows the socket for the bulb and the lugs around the outside of it that hold the black box ( ballast ) in place. You have to turn the white plastic ring on the ballast where the bulb goes in so the pins on the bulb can go in. Once you put the green cable in it 'locks' the ballast box to the bulb.

Flickr Photo Download: W211 Xenon socket

ManJ · 11-10-2009, 09:03 PM

Mirras
I think we are talking about different things, I am looking at the ignitor box, please check your email, I have sent you a picture...

mirras · 11-10-2009, 09:14 PM

I got the photo thanks, can you seat the bulb into the ballast box with it off the car?

It looks very like you need a new one. I wouldn't stick that back on the car as it looks fried.

ManJ · 11-10-2009, 09:21 PM

Mirras
I have not ended up taking the bulb off as I dont think the bulb is the problem, stupidly I have taken the other one off as well to compare them, and now cannot put it back on, so I will order a new one, but at this moment in time I need to get the other one back on, as I have no dipped beams.

It was the right bulb that was gone, so I will put the opposite one back on just to check the bulb is not at fault as well, but its the problem of getting the bloody thing on.

mirras · 11-10-2009, 09:30 PM

Hi Manj, we're not talking at cross purposes. There are 3 parts we're talking about. The socket ( as in my photo ), the ignitor box ( as in the photo you emailed and the bulb.

The bulb fits into the socket and is retained by the spring clip ( just like many standard bulbs ). The ignitor box then fits onto both the end of the bulb and into the 4 lugs on the socket at the same time. It then takes a clockwise 'twist' to locate it.

HOWEVER.... when the plug on the end of the green wires is plugged into the ignitor box it turns a 'ring' which locks onto the end of the bulb. Make sure this hasn't been engaged with the unit off as you'll not get it back on. Put your finger into the ignitor box where the bulb goes in and feel for the moving ring. I reckon you'd be better to carefully take out a bulb and make sure it goes into the ignitor while it's off the car.

Cheers
Robert

10-10-2009, 09:19 PM	#1
ManJ Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: LEICESTERSHIRE Car: E270 CDI(54), CLK270 CDI(03), S320 CDI(03), C220 CDI(51) Posts: 397	W211 E Class Xenon Headlight Problem Hello! I have noticed that I get a malfunction warning for "Left Dipped Beam", this is my drivers side xenon bulb. Which is fine, but what seems to be troubling me is that it goes off then comes back on etc. So is this normal when a xenon bulb blows, or is it a short somewhere? The car is a 2004 E Class, I have done 70,000 miles, if I need to change the bulb, how much and where would I get it from? Is it a bulb I can change myself? Any comments welcome.

11-10-2009, 07:31 PM	#6
mirras Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ayrshire Car: SL500 R230 Posts: 215	A couple of things.... Xenons use very high voltage, make sure there is no chance of power getting to the bulbs and more importantly YOU while you are changing them. If I remember right the 'black box' has a safety feature that stops you putting it back on if the green cable is plugged in. Make sure the cable is not plugged in and turn the plastic ring back to allow the black box to fit back onto the back of the light unit then plug the green wire back in.... It's a long time since I did this but I put a pair of new bulbs in my 211 as one bulb went and the dealer couldn't match the colour and they would not replace the remaining working bulb under warranty. __________________ Never had a W124.....

11-10-2009, 08:30 PM	#8
mirras Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ayrshire Car: SL500 R230 Posts: 215	The box is 'keyed' so it only fits on one way. This key has a lock that moves when the plug with the green cable is plugged in which stops it fitting. I'll try and find some old photos but it sounds like you'll need to buy a new one first. Any chance you can post a photograph? __________________ Never had a W124.....

11-10-2009, 08:47 PM	#10
mirras Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ayrshire Car: SL500 R230 Posts: 215	I've PM'd my email address to you __________________ Never had a W124.....

11-10-2009, 09:00 PM	#11
mirras Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ayrshire Car: SL500 R230 Posts: 215	This is the only photo I can find, it shows the socket for the bulb and the lugs around the outside of it that hold the black box ( ballast ) in place. You have to turn the white plastic ring on the ballast where the bulb goes in so the pins on the bulb can go in. Once you put the green cable in it 'locks' the ballast box to the bulb. Flickr Photo Download: W211 Xenon socket __________________ Never had a W124.....

10-10-2009, 10:20 PM	#2
desilva Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Car: C230K Sport 1999 Auto Facelift Posts: 1,656	Could be the controller or the bulb. If I were you id swap the bulbs around and see if the fault follows, just to make sure. If it is the controller, they are quite expensive. The bulbs are fairly easy to replace. You have to identify the type of bulb and the can be quite expensive depending on where you get them from. Ive found Ebay suppliers to be about the cheapest and that includes some people selling the Philips bulbs at less than half price. I bought General Electric bulbs for about £50 for the pair.

11-10-2009, 06:12 PM	#3
ManJ Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: LEICESTERSHIRE Car: E270 CDI(54), CLK270 CDI(03), S320 CDI(03), C220 CDI(51) Posts: 397	So they are as easy as changing the normal bulb are they?

11-10-2009, 07:15 PM	#4
desilva Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Car: C230K Sport 1999 Auto Facelift Posts: 1,656	Yep, They are just a bulb, nothing fancy. Just make sure you don't handle the glass

11-10-2009, 07:18 PM	#5
ManJ Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: LEICESTERSHIRE Car: E270 CDI(54), CLK270 CDI(03), S320 CDI(03), C220 CDI(51) Posts: 397	Right, ive already hit a problem, I have disconnected the square black box on the back of the light, which has a green cable that goes into it, and the two connectors on the side is black and the plastic around them have melted, so think this is where they are shorting, the only problem is, I cannot get this back on, any pointers?

11-10-2009, 09:03 PM	#12
ManJ Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: LEICESTERSHIRE Car: E270 CDI(54), CLK270 CDI(03), S320 CDI(03), C220 CDI(51) Posts: 397	Mirras I think we are talking about different things, I am looking at the ignitor box, please check your email, I have sent you a picture... Last edited by ManJ; 11-10-2009 at 09:06 PM.

11-10-2009, 09:14 PM	#13
mirras Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ayrshire Car: SL500 R230 Posts: 215	I got the photo thanks, can you seat the bulb into the ballast box with it off the car? It looks very like you need a new one. I wouldn't stick that back on the car as it looks fried. __________________ Never had a W124.....

11-10-2009, 09:21 PM	#14
ManJ Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: LEICESTERSHIRE Car: E270 CDI(54), CLK270 CDI(03), S320 CDI(03), C220 CDI(51) Posts: 397	Mirras I have not ended up taking the bulb off as I dont think the bulb is the problem, stupidly I have taken the other one off as well to compare them, and now cannot put it back on, so I will order a new one, but at this moment in time I need to get the other one back on, as I have no dipped beams. It was the right bulb that was gone, so I will put the opposite one back on just to check the bulb is not at fault as well, but its the problem of getting the bloody thing on.

11-10-2009, 09:30 PM	#15
mirras Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ayrshire Car: SL500 R230 Posts: 215	Hi Manj, we're not talking at cross purposes. There are 3 parts we're talking about. The socket ( as in my photo ), the ignitor box ( as in the photo you emailed and the bulb. The bulb fits into the socket and is retained by the spring clip ( just like many standard bulbs ). The ignitor box then fits onto both the end of the bulb and into the 4 lugs on the socket at the same time. It then takes a clockwise 'twist' to locate it. HOWEVER.... when the plug on the end of the green wires is plugged into the ignitor box it turns a 'ring' which locks onto the end of the bulb. Make sure this hasn't been engaged with the unit off as you'll not get it back on. Put your finger into the ignitor box where the bulb goes in and feel for the moving ring. I reckon you'd be better to carefully take out a bulb and make sure it goes into the ignitor while it's off the car. Cheers Robert __________________ Never had a W124.....

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