HELP - Active headlamp unavailable
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05' E320 (W211)
HELP - Active headlamp unavailable
This just recently started. The lights would come on at night and try to auto adjust, they would center up and then for a few corners work just fine, but then all of a sudden it would say the above error and the headlights would just stop in their last position, that could be straight, left or right depending on where I was heading when it happened. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if anyone knows if there is a fix for it or if anyone has any idea of what could be causing it. I am really hating the idea that it could be a bad sensor in the headlamp, because I really dont want to buy a new headlamp assembly for the 900 or whatever dollars it will cost.
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I've seen at least a couple of posts for a similar issue. I don't think there is a sensor, the stepper motor should calibrate itself at start-up and count the steps then, no feedback needed.
The dealer fix should be a new headlamp assembly. There was a post on replacing the stepper motor for self levelling, it could be even the same part and this motor actually was available from MB as a separate part (intended for some other purpose). You would likely need to disassemble the headlamp unit to figure out if the motor could be changed.
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=53930
The dealer fix should be a new headlamp assembly. There was a post on replacing the stepper motor for self levelling, it could be even the same part and this motor actually was available from MB as a separate part (intended for some other purpose). You would likely need to disassemble the headlamp unit to figure out if the motor could be changed.
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=53930
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 32
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05' E320 (W211)
Mercedes has a decent warranty option for most cars...
50K if bought new
100 if bought from dealer used
100K (I think) if bought from a private seller who bought the car new.
I have 59K and got it from a dealer (non-benz) meaning I am out of warranty. Also, a new headlamp will cost ~1000 USD so I am going to go with hell no on that one.
50K if bought new
100 if bought from dealer used
100K (I think) if bought from a private seller who bought the car new.
I have 59K and got it from a dealer (non-benz) meaning I am out of warranty. Also, a new headlamp will cost ~1000 USD so I am going to go with hell no on that one.
