Bi-X Igniter replacement / disassembly DIY Guide
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 391
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From: West Covina, CA
2004 C230k (SOLD), 2005 C230k (Lease ended), 2004 Carrera 4 Cab, 2007 530i
I had both sides replaced once at different time about a yr ago. No problems after but yeah, you were not alone. I remember asking those ignitor cost $400 a piece. 
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 679
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From: McLean, VA
Glad to hear I'm not alone! Let's just hope these ignitors don't decide to fail once 50K/4yrs is up.
My friend who bought eBay xenons has had his on his e36 for approximately 3 years and not a single problem. Who makes MB's ignitors, Bosch?
My friend who bought eBay xenons has had his on his e36 for approximately 3 years and not a single problem. Who makes MB's ignitors, Bosch?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 273
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From: P. Pinez, FL
'02 MB C240 6spd / '92 BMW 325i 5spd
I purchased my european mb bi-xenon from ebay about a year ago. No problem with them.
Like razorfish228 said. If your warraty is over your might as well go aftermarket. Save you money and headaches.
Like razorfish228 said. If your warraty is over your might as well go aftermarket. Save you money and headaches.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Factory Bi-X's on my 2003 Coupe and have had the car since 1/2003! Has 45,000 on it now and never had an issue with the Bi-X headlights or the ignitors.
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2005 C320wz
The bi-xenon headlight on the passenger's side of my car was doing that a few days ago too. It would go off and on continously. However, tonight it no longer did that. It seems to be fine now. My car has about 17k miles.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
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From: East Bay, CA
is SOLD
i had this problem with the passenger side where the lights were flickering. this was a couple of month ago and it hasn't happened since. still planning to take it to the dealer still.
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Originally Posted by Turbo2
Lucky you!
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Blimp
Well, i intalled my bi-xenons after i bought the car and I haven't gotten down to changing the ECU setting to Bi-Xenon yet, so my lights do flicker as well.. But when i turn the lights and fogs on before i actually start the car the flickering goes away completely. (something to do w/ an electrical check surge or something along those lines.) Try that guys! see if it works.. let me know!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Originally Posted by Turbo2
Funny for you, not for me! But yes, it is another indication of MB cost-cutting.
Want to trade you Xenons for my new (and improved; HA) '05 Bi-Xenons?
Want to trade you Xenons for my new (and improved; HA) '05 Bi-Xenons?
No!
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 972
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From: DFW
BMW M850i Gran Coupe
Originally Posted by white_w203
i had this problem with the passenger side where the lights were flickering. this was a couple of month ago and it hasn't happened since. still planning to take it to the dealer still.
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Originally Posted by MBZFAN55
I had the same problem on the left side of my S500. It turned out to be a "loose connection", which sounds similar to many posts in this thread. My situation also developed around 22,000 miles on the odometer.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
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'06 CLK500
Hi all,
I have my passenger side bi-xenon igniter for sale. I just had an accident in which I decided to replace the whole headlight
The igniter is from Euro-version bi-xenon that I bought from Steve Mbenzl...
For all of you who need to change the igniter and would like to have OEM part, just PM me or email at northvivor@yahoo.com ...
As I KOMPRZ has mentioned, it should cost $400/piece from the stealership... I am not looking for that high of a price...
Thanks
I have my passenger side bi-xenon igniter for sale. I just had an accident in which I decided to replace the whole headlight
The igniter is from Euro-version bi-xenon that I bought from Steve Mbenzl...
For all of you who need to change the igniter and would like to have OEM part, just PM me or email at northvivor@yahoo.com ...
As I KOMPRZ has mentioned, it should cost $400/piece from the stealership... I am not looking for that high of a price...
Thanks
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: central cali
2005 C230 SS, 2000 1.8t Passat, Crown Vic with lights on roof
I had this issue with our 05 C230SS rt side light, dealer replaced the igniter...problem returned as I was driving home...they then replaced the whole light assembly...so far ok... 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Hollister, CA
03 C320 (For Sale), 08 Audi TT
I have 61,000 miles on my car and up til a couple of weeks ago had no problems at all. Then the passenger side light goes out and I thought it was the bulb, so I change the bulb and it still doesn't work. I take it to the dealership and they tell me it was the ignitor and thanks to my purchase of extended warranty when I bought my car, they replaced the whole bi-xenon unit which was $1492, then labor was another $500, so they charged the insurance company who honors my extended warranty $1992, and I just paid a $100 deductible.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 433
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From: Los Angeles
2008 C300 Sport Sedan: Panarama Roof, P2, Multimedia
okay, I'm reviving this thread. Started to notice my driver-side bi-xenons flickering. After searching the threads, I'm kinda scared on bringing it to the dealer for servicing. It doesn't flicker that violently or often, but often enough to bother me......but I'm skeptical to bring it in because I saw several horror threads about the xenon lights having a shadow after it was fixed and also the dealer mis-aiming the xenons...etc.. 
Are there any successful stories of flickering xenon lights and repairs? Are they mostly just the igniters?
Are there any successful stories of flickering xenon lights and repairs? Are they mostly just the igniters?
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14
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From: Hong Kong
Originally Posted by benzo-boi
okay, I'm reviving this thread. Started to notice my driver-side bi-xenons flickering. After searching the threads, I'm kinda scared on bringing it to the dealer for servicing. It doesn't flicker that violently or often, but often enough to bother me......but I'm skeptical to bring it in because I saw several horror threads about the xenon lights having a shadow after it was fixed and also the dealer mis-aiming the xenons...etc..
Are there any successful stories of flickering xenon lights and repairs? Are they mostly just the igniters?
Are there any successful stories of flickering xenon lights and repairs? Are they mostly just the igniters?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 679
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From: McLean, VA
I've had both my igniters replaced, driver and passenger side and I'm about to have my driver's side replaced again next week when my car goes in for Service B.
The driver's side has gotten so bad that sometimes it doesn't even flicker, just shuts off completely for 1-2 seconds.
There is definitely a problem with the igniters MB is using.
The driver's side has gotten so bad that sometimes it doesn't even flicker, just shuts off completely for 1-2 seconds.
There is definitely a problem with the igniters MB is using.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,015
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2005 C320wz
Originally Posted by mick1
The bi-xenon headlight on the passenger's side of my car was doing that a few days ago too. It would go off and on continously. However, tonight it no longer did that. It seems to be fine now. My car has about 17k miles.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,090
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
Yikes, I have factory bixenons too.
One thing to pay attention about is to make sure that you're not turning the light on and off repetitively. Keep in mind, lights don't like to be turned on and off.
Think of it this way; HID lights (bi xenons are HIDs) are like flourescent lights and halogens are similiar to incandescent lights.
Flourescent lights take a lot of energy to start up and you shouldn't turn them on and off repetitively.
Incandescent lights don't require large amounts of energy to start up and you still shouldn't turn them on and off repetitively but it doesn't damage an incandescent bulb as much as a flourescent bulb if you do.
One thing to pay attention about is to make sure that you're not turning the light on and off repetitively. Keep in mind, lights don't like to be turned on and off.
Think of it this way; HID lights (bi xenons are HIDs) are like flourescent lights and halogens are similiar to incandescent lights.
Flourescent lights take a lot of energy to start up and you shouldn't turn them on and off repetitively.
Incandescent lights don't require large amounts of energy to start up and you still shouldn't turn them on and off repetitively but it doesn't damage an incandescent bulb as much as a flourescent bulb if you do.
