has anyone tried to replace headlight bulbs?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2005 c230 kompressor
has anyone tried to replace headlight bulbs?
I have a 2005 c230 sedan. I have trouble removing the old headlight bulbs. According to the manual, I'm supposed to turn it counterclockwise after removing wired connector. It won't budge a bit. Has anyone successfully replaced one?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Note the position it's at when you pull it out, so you can line the new one up correctly.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: VA
2002 C320
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: VA
2002 C320
Let me back up a minute...
I'm talking about getting the unit out so that I can then pull the wedge bulb out. I took off the back cover, but I was unsure how to get the unit that holds and powers the light out of the headlight assembly.
Thanks, sorry for asking the wrong question before.
I'm talking about getting the unit out so that I can then pull the wedge bulb out. I took off the back cover, but I was unsure how to get the unit that holds and powers the light out of the headlight assembly.
Thanks, sorry for asking the wrong question before.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 640
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
It's just like in your manual. The most difficult part is getting the wire harness off. As said before, make note of the position of the bulb so that when you put it back in everything turns back nicely.
It's just pulling off the harness and a twist and a pull. It sounds like you're confusing yourself.
It's just pulling off the harness and a twist and a pull. It sounds like you're confusing yourself.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 7
From: Va Beach, VA
05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
ya nothing complicated at all...the hardest part form me was actually putting the new bulbs back into the harness, cuz i didnt wanna touch the bulbs and i couldnt get enough leverage on the fraction of a mm part i had to actually push on!!!! lol...but ya no problem at all and not complicated, just dont lose the back caps in the engine bay!!!! lol
Trending Topics
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Let me back up a minute...
I'm talking about getting the unit out so that I can then pull the wedge bulb out. I took off the back cover, but I was unsure how to get the unit that holds and powers the light out of the headlight assembly.
Thanks, sorry for asking the wrong question before.
I'm talking about getting the unit out so that I can then pull the wedge bulb out. I took off the back cover, but I was unsure how to get the unit that holds and powers the light out of the headlight assembly.
Thanks, sorry for asking the wrong question before.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2005 c230 kompressor
i can get the connector off easily, but the bulb will not turn (counterclockwise). It won't even turn with the leverage of connector. Am I supposed to push before i turn? I've never had so much trouble with damn lightbulb. Dealer's charging me $50 for install (bulb not included). I'll give another go before i take it to service.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma, WA
'06 c230
i can get the connector off easily, but the bulb will not turn (counterclockwise). It won't even turn with the leverage of connector. Am I supposed to push before i turn? I've never had so much trouble with damn lightbulb. Dealer's charging me $50 for install (bulb not included). I'll give another go before i take it to service.
Make sure the "stem" on the bulb is pointing up. That's the only way it will go in.
I had a hell of a time figuring that one out too...the manual couldn't be worse at describing it. I had to take a mirror down there to see what I was doing wrong.
Last edited by freewheelb; Oct 23, 2008 at 04:24 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 758
Likes: 2
From: California
03 W203, 13 E350, 13 W204, 14 C218
Remove the plastic access panel by pressing down on the tab at the top of the penel and pulling the top of the panel towards the engine and off. Needle nose pliers may help with the next steps to remove the spring clips. There are 2 bulbs, the top large bulb is the low beam. To remove it, first remove the socket attached to it, then press the top of the metal spring clip towards the front of the car and towards the passenger side (look closely at the clip to see the latch holding it. The clip then swings back towards the engine. Remove the old bulb, install the new bulb, replace the spring clip, re-connect the socket. (Don't touch the bulb, if you do clean it off with a lint free cloth and alcohol). To replace the lower bulb (parking light), remove the socket, then release the lower end of the spring clip, look closely and you'll see the latch holding it. You have to press it towards the front of the car and swing it towards the passenger side. It will swing up and release the bulb. Replace with new bulb, replace spring clip, connect socket. Don't forget to replace the plastic cover panel by inserting the bottom tabs into the sockets and snapping it closed at the top by pressing it towards the front of the car.
Putting it back on is the hard part LMFAO! u better have patience and steady hands make sure u look at what u have to do before you put the new bulbs in or it will take forever. GL!
Putting it back on is the hard part LMFAO! u better have patience and steady hands make sure u look at what u have to do before you put the new bulbs in or it will take forever. GL!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 758
Likes: 2
From: California
03 W203, 13 E350, 13 W204, 14 C218
I was gonna do a DIY for this too but i figured id get Flamed because its in the manual so i said **** it...haha crazy how the members here have scared me off into not wanting to share anything with others on the forums 
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Please don't feel that way. I for one could use this information like right now. I don't want to take it to the dealer and I don't know where to get the best deal for an OEM replacement bulb. If you have pictures or any information, please share. Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 7
From: Va Beach, VA
05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
city lights just pull straight out...if they're stuck in tight use a needle nose plyers...hi/low beams have plastic rings that require a cc quarter turn then pulls off and then you pull the plug out and pull the bulb out of the socket (its like a 3 or 2 prong socket)...replace bulb and put back on with ring turn clockwise and put plastic cup cap bakck on to seal from water and dirt...also you can get replace bulbs at ANY auto parts store, they have books in the section with what type you will need (its H7 for halogen low/hi beam, 9006 for fogs...blah blah blah, you can look this up in the manual, online at sylvania, and at the store itself, dont be lazy)...GOOD LUCK, replacing bulbs should be one of the easiest tasks ever! unless you have bix, which i just upgraded too, then its a bia if you have large hands like my self!!!!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
2003 E500 Sport, 2006 C280 4Matic
ill do a DIY on this 2morrow with pics if i get a chance, i bought new bulbs off of ebay and after 20 mins my bulb actually blew up, glass and all, so ill take pics when i change it. Side note, anyone know how to open up a headlamp unit without going through the whole 4 hour process that was described for completely removing them? Ty
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
2003 E500 Sport, 2006 C280 4Matic
Epic Fail.....
well thats the motivation i need to buy the projector headlamps and the HID's so if im gonna take errrthing apart i might as well put the new ish in!
well thats the motivation i need to buy the projector headlamps and the HID's so if im gonna take errrthing apart i might as well put the new ish in!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 640
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
Yuck. Be careful and don't rush anything at this point. You can defintely take it all apart, but it is a multi-day project for sure.
You could get new housings, but if that is an option you want to do, you might as well upgrade your lighting to OEM Bi-Xenon and go all the way if you can afford it. The aftermarket projectors aren't going to give you the best results. Good results, but not the best.
This has been discussed quite a bit.
You could get new housings, but if that is an option you want to do, you might as well upgrade your lighting to OEM Bi-Xenon and go all the way if you can afford it. The aftermarket projectors aren't going to give you the best results. Good results, but not the best.
This has been discussed quite a bit.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 222
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
ill do a DIY on this 2morrow with pics if i get a chance, i bought new bulbs off of ebay and after 20 mins my bulb actually blew up, glass and all, so ill take pics when i change it. Side note, anyone know how to open up a headlamp unit without going through the whole 4 hour process that was described for completely removing them? Ty
What happened to the DIY? and did you end up going with HIDs?
and can I ask what might be a stoopid question? why not wear a pair of cotton work gloves to avoid skin touching the bulb?
Last edited by eddieo45; Mar 22, 2009 at 04:15 PM. Reason: added stuff
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 222
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
alright, I'm obviously an idiot...I've done this once (on my sedan) and I'm still stumped as to how to do it (now on my coupe...maybe they're different?) I had printed this thread and laid it on the engine to successfully change a bulb in the wife's car, but I can't figure out how to open the back of the headlight assembly to get the bulb out. Buellwinkle had posted this pic on another forum:
the @$$ end of that H7 looks familiar, but how do I get to it?
the @$$ end of that H7 looks familiar, but how do I get to it?
Last edited by eddieo45; May 29, 2009 at 09:40 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,122
Likes: 222
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
well, I figured it out, and it only took me 30 minutes to change the bulb (it felt longer tho'). The coupe is very different, at least my 2002 is. no spring-loaded clip, but two screws, one on either side of the bulb. a real beeyatch trying to get a tool in there (I ended up twisting the bit between my fingers after about an eighth of a turn with a ratchet). mirror, flashlight, and sticking my head in there didn't help much; ultimately did it with my sense of touch, like a pinball wizard! (man, that shows my age!)
