HakkinenL

When I turn the ignition key to position 2 (just before starting the engine), the bixenon lights will auto-level itself. The projector light will move down, then move back up, stopping at the center. But at the point when it moves down to the lowest point, it gives a loud rattling sound.
I can even hear the noise when I am inside the car. Only the driver's side is louder, passenger side very soft.

I went to the dealer and they tested another C230K SS. The bi-xenons also give a very soft rattling noise. I have to stand very close to them to actually hear this noise. But mine are rather loud.

Has anyone notice this rattling sound?

MJ50

i don't have auto-level feature...
but if driver's side is noticeably louder than the other, i'm sure it can be fixed under warranty at the dealer...

HakkinenL

Hmm, thats strange. I thought all C class Bi-xenons are the same?
Have you tried to stand infront of your headlights and see if the projector lights actually move while someone turns the ignition key for you?

I have checked with DaimlerChrysler's HQ and service center. Both have not heard about this issue before. I believe it can't be repaired, the only thing is to replace them with a new one. But they are not sure if this is consider a problem at all.
So I am waiting for them to give me an answer within the next few days.

MJ50

mine isn't factory-installed... so headlamps don't move at all...
i don't know if noise can be warranty issue that can be swapped...
maybe owners with factory-installed bi-xenons have suggestions...?

mick1

can't hear it from inside the car with the windows down.

HakkinenL

You are right, thats what they said. Because after all my headlights are working fine. It is just that I don't feel nice having that noise everytime before I start the engine.
There is actually another issue to my problem. One night, immediately after I started the engine, the headlights turned on by themselves, auto-levelled, then switched off again. Immediately after that, my clock resets to 12:00, date resets to 01.01.2003. Now, no matter how I set my clock and date, after 24 hours have passed, they resets again.

I believe somehow there is a link to my bi-xenons and clock/date, the electronics may have crashed somewhere.

HakkinenL

hi mick1, how about with the windows up and inside your parking garage or at a quiet area.

mick1

I did try it from the garage and I could not hear anything.

HakkinenL

Ok, tomorrow I will take a video of the bi-xenons.

diamondblak05

Can't hear anything on mine either.

HakkinenL

This morning I took a video of the bi-xenon rattling noise.

And then I realise actually both side have got the noise.

Driver's side (Right hand drive)
http://www.geocities.com/love3always...non-driver.mov

Passenger's side
http://www.geocities.com/love3always...-passenger.mov

ctC230K

could it be your auto-leveling motor is jammed and the noise you hear is the motor grinding? when you start the car do you actually see the xenons moving? do they appear aligned properly while you are driving?

mctwin2kman

No noise from mine! I can not even hear them auto-level when standing in front of the car! Mine are factory and the car is 2.5 years old. No noises from headlights!

ctC230K

I think you should have the dealer replace them under warranty. even if they claim there is no problem, that noise sounds like a BIG PROBLEM!

HakkinenL

It does sound like the motor is still running even though the projector has already reached its lowest level. So it gets jammed at that point, and then it moves back up to the proper level and stops.

When I start the car, most of the time, I don't see the xenons moving.
But once in awhile, they do. I know because after I started the car, i could hear the bi-xenons rattle again. So during those instances, that makes 2 rattling - one before the car is started, another after car started.

They are properly aligned while I am driving. At least thats what I think.

The service center happened to have a brand new C230K SS and they did the test on the new car. It has the same noise but much much softer than mine.

Problem is there aren't many C230K here and no one else complains. So they can' be sure if this is a problem at all. But I assured them that over a longer period, the bi-xenons motor may fail altogether.

HakkinenL

When I collected the car, the salesperson started the engine for me while I stood infront of the car. I saw the bi-xenons moves but there was no sound at all. It was 1 week later when showed the bi-xenons to my brother and he said "what is that noise?".

Here is a larger video (1 mb size)
http://www.geocities.com/love3always...on-driverl.mov

ctC230K

why not just tell the dealer to replace the motors? it won't cost you anything as long as it's under warranty right? if anything i think the dealer makes money off the labor from mercedes-benz warranty service.

sounds to me like a gear is jammed or the motor is burnt out.

HakkinenL

I think the motors can't be replaced. They may have to replace the whole headlight. I am still waiting for their answer.

By the way, anyone can help me out by taking a video of your bi-xenons?
So I can go show the dealer that the rest of the C230K owners do not have such noise on the motor. Thanks !!!

LMing

I just checked, I have the same sound too, but can't hear it from inside, so I guess it's pretty normal.... Right hand side is louder than the left hand side

HakkinenL

Oh, that makes two of us.
But the others who replied this thread don't have that noise. Hmmm.

Anyone else can help me out by checking their Bi-xenons? (With video would be great!)
Thanks in advance!

ctC230K

i would... if i had bix lol

LMing

I just made one, I don't know if it is louder than yours or no, let me know


Video

HakkinenL

lol
go get them bix!

HakkinenL

Hi LMing, i can enter the site but the video won't start downloading. Hmm... I will try again later.

ctC230K

i need them $dollars$ before i get them bix.