nlpamg

Ok, so I've complained to service a bunch of times about my BIX flickering. All they do is change the bulbs. I haven't seen it for a while, but the left side started flickering tonight. The other time it was the right side. WTF is going on? Anyone else have the same prob?

Thanks!

slammer111

Check to see if your car is programmed to XENON = PRESENT in the Stardiagnose.

nlpamg

I'm pretty sure it is, I have the lighting package from the factory and the flicker only happens from time to time...

The Godfather

time for new ballasts?

raunen

check my other posts on BIX flickering.

my driver side started to flicker, and they changed the lamp. two months later it started to flicker again, i turned the light off but they wouldn't come back on. so they changed the whole lamp assembly. a week later my passenger side started to flicker and they replaced the whole lamp assembly on that one also.

if you can do me a favor though, i would really appreciate it: after they changed my assembly, i can see the mirror's shadow projected in the light path and i can't adjust the beam so that it isn't annoying. i never noticed the shadow before the lights were replaced though.

if you can, for benchmarking, post a picture of your BIX projected up close against either a white wall, or a white paper. here is more info:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ght=bix+aiming

i will owe you one!

psk145

same thing I went through, just the left side though (so far).

MJ50

flickering happened to my honda few weeks ago...
turns out the ballast was bad and no flicker since the replacement...
possible that it's the same case...

outie

I just got hit with this flickering problem on my 05 too! It's on the driver side. Having a longer trip does not make the flickers go away.

It's quite annoying as I am very sensitive to flickers (60Hz CRT anyone?)

Anyone knows a quick fix for it? Thanks.

nlpamg

I actually took it in and it seems like it's been fixed. According to the dealership (DTLA Motors) there was something wrong with the "programming". However, on the invoice, it said "ground loop" problem and it was repaired... So, I don't know. But I haven't seen it flicker in a while...

raunen, I'll get you those pics as soon as I can... sorry for the delay.

nlpamg

So the right side started to flicker. It's at the dealership now, and they called me to say that they ordered a part ("a connector at the rear of the housing") that they're gonna change. Looks like they're gonna change the ballast...

More to come hopefully tomorrow.

slammer111

They probably ordered a new igniter.

The original 1st generation igniter (black square block with 2 rubber wires leading to round black + red twist-on connector) didn't provide enough voltage (25kV) to ignite the xenon gas. After a certain date MB changed the voltage. They also designed an OEM retrofit that doesn't involve ripping apart the headlight.

The new igniter is a tiny little square that fits on the back of the xenon bulb. It is rated at 30kV, and can be DIYed.

W203 HID bi-xenon igniter replacement

For all of you with flickering OEM bi-xenons, you can tell the dealer it's the IGNITER that is malfunctioning, NOT the ballast.

nlpamg

hmm... hopefully they'll do the same for the left side, or I think I may have to bring it in again...

slammer111

When you get the car back, take a look. Pop off the circular round cover off the housing and see if you see a black square (maybe 2" x 2") with yellow markings. As you probably know, the original (flawed) igniters have the little twist-on contact with 2 thick rubber wires.

You might want to raise hell with the dealer if the driver's side doesn't have that.

Tishers

Slammer is right. Gas discharge lamps require a strike voltage that is higher than what the bulb will operate normally at.

As gas discharge bulbs age, contaminants in the gases, evaporated metals, etc... will cause the required strike voltage to increase. This means that a bulb may not be able to re-arc or restart.

A flickering bulb is usually caused by a ballast problem where the high voltage is not sustained or there is a problem with the ballast transformer or the DC/DC converter circuitry that creates the higher voltage has failed in some manner.

As gas discharge bulbs age they can decrease power output by half.

A good article that describes Xenon headlamps can be found at;

http://members.misty.com/don/d2.html

nlpamg

I got it back, they said that they did the left side last time I took it in, but didn't do the right side (b/c I didn't complain about it). But they replaced the "lighting unit" part number 203-820-42-61.

Amy_fl

And everyone here swears the bi-xenons are a must for a Mercedes!

rubenl

my 05 C230 SS passenger side OEM Xenon just started flickering too ! Going in to the shop later this week...

Outland

I don't. I love em, but they are a real pain in the ***. Expensive, sratch easy, the whole DAS thing...well, they look cool anyway.

Isn't that all that matters?

white_w203

my headlights just started doing this recently. a lot of people think its the ballasts. so im going to take my car in the dealership for this. i think it is more on my passenger side than my driver side i think, no not both.

BIGjohnny

nope... mines are doing just fine. however, my license plate lamp tends to go off once in a while (sometimes left, sometimes right). damn german cars

slammer111

No, check the IGNITER, not the ballast. If both sides are acting up, check both igniters.

Ask for the "updated" add-on version. Not as clean (everything still fits inside) but then fixing it won't involve ripping apart your headlights.

EKY

I had the same problem on my '05 SS. It turns out it was faulty from the factory. They didn't specify what exactly was wrong, but they replaced the entire housing. Everything is good now.

-Eric Y.

rubenl

took my car to the dealer today to fix my flickering light, they replaced the igniter...we're on the freeway coming home and the damn thing started to flicker again !!!! gonna have to return next week....

Turbo2

2005 C230SS, coming up on having it for 2 years, less than 20K on the clock.

About a year ago, drivers side bi-xenon began flickering, took it to the dealer, replaced igniter.

Last week, passenger side bi-xenon began flickering, took it to the dealer, replaced ingniter. Dealer called to say they had fixed the problem and said "Your igniter was going out, we replaced it under warranty. Good thing your car is still under warranty because these things are extremely expensive."

The night after getting my car back from the dealer, drivers side bi-xenon begins flickering and intermentintally cuts off. It's going back to the dealer in the coming week to have them replace this one as well.

Anyone else had multiple problems with their igniter(s)?

YoYiTo

Sorry to hear that. Good thing its still under warranty.
Its always hard for me to believe when the dealer say that they replace something. I always ask for the replaced item or to see it.

Hope you get this solved soon.