Bi-X Igniter replacement / disassembly DIY Guide
#1
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BIX flicker?
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!
Thanks!
#3
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Originally Posted by slammer111
Check to see if your car is programmed to XENON = PRESENT in the Stardiagnose.
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2005 C320 4Matic
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!
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!
#6
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2006 E55
Originally Posted by raunen
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.
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#8
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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.
It's quite annoying as I am very sensitive to flickers (60Hz CRT anyone?)
Anyone knows a quick fix for it? Thanks.
#9
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Thread Starter
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.
raunen, I'll get you those pics as soon as I can... sorry for the delay.
#10
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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.
More to come hopefully tomorrow.
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2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Originally Posted by 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.
More to come hopefully tomorrow.
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.
Last edited by slammer111; 02-08-2021 at 08:17 AM.
#12
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Originally Posted by 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.
For all of you with flickering OEM bi-xenons, you can tell the dealer it's the IGNITER that is malfunction, NOT the ballast.
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.
For all of you with flickering OEM bi-xenons, you can tell the dealer it's the IGNITER that is malfunction, NOT the ballast.
#13
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2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Originally Posted by nlpamg
hmm... hopefully they'll do the same for the left side, or I think I may have to bring it in again...
You might want to raise hell with the dealer if the driver's side doesn't have that.
#14
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'06 C350 4MATIC
Xenon Lamps
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
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
#15
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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.
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2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by Amy_fl
And everyone here swears the bi-xenons are a must for a Mercedes!
Isn't that all that matters?
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is SOLD
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.
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2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Originally Posted by 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.
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.
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2006 Acura RL - Aspec rims/spoiler, JDM grille
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.
-Eric Y.
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2005 C230 SS, 2000 1.8t Passat, Crown Vic with lights on roof
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....
#24
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BiXenon Igniter Problems - Who Else Is Having Them?
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)?
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)?
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'02 MB C240 6spd / '92 BMW 325i 5spd
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.
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.