NEED HELP! lighting gurus please chime in.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 3
From: New York City
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
NEED HELP! lighting gurus please chime in.
all those lighting gurus I need your input.
The CLK W209 headlights share the same headlights as the C55s.
so I went ahead and ordered a set, used.
I ordered a set of facelift headlights, which stupid mercedes changed the kits into a "D1S" kit, instead of the DS2 kit, which wouldn't be a problem for me.
With the DS2 kit, I can use my HID kit, with a DS2 adaptor, and boom, good to go.
but, this headlight uses a D1S kit, which is a pain in the butt.
usually, I'd just say "I guess I'll use this kit, and just get new bulbs"
but instead, the problem is, 1 side comes with a kit, and the other side's kit is removed!!!!
So I only have 1 functional side, supposedly.
here's the question...
how can I fix this issue, How can i use my HID kit, and make this functional? since one side is gone.
I had a few choices I thought of, that CAN possibly help.
1. Splicing, meaning, remove the kit, splice a wire, create a new socket to retrofit my HID kit, get a DS2 adaptor, and a DS2 adaptor for D1S sockets. this would be the most painful way to do it.
2. Get a OEM used ballast+ignitor thing (see below for pictures), I dont get it tho, I thought the ignitor is attached to the bulb itself for D1S! but there are still two things that attaches to the headlight... this way, it'd cost me an arm, OEM USED are about $3-400
3. EBAY D1S HID KIT, you see...I don't have a picture of how the kit looks like, since the headlight power is "just a plug" I'll have to find some sort of adaptor for the kit, maybe even have to spice the plug out, but, this is gonna be one confusing the heck thing to do.
sorry if I'm not clear, I'm freakin' out. This was a cheap set of headlights, so if ANYTHING happens, I guess that's okay eh?
The CLK W209 headlights share the same headlights as the C55s.
so I went ahead and ordered a set, used.
I ordered a set of facelift headlights, which stupid mercedes changed the kits into a "D1S" kit, instead of the DS2 kit, which wouldn't be a problem for me.
With the DS2 kit, I can use my HID kit, with a DS2 adaptor, and boom, good to go.
but, this headlight uses a D1S kit, which is a pain in the butt.
usually, I'd just say "I guess I'll use this kit, and just get new bulbs"
but instead, the problem is, 1 side comes with a kit, and the other side's kit is removed!!!!
So I only have 1 functional side, supposedly.
here's the question...
how can I fix this issue, How can i use my HID kit, and make this functional? since one side is gone.
I had a few choices I thought of, that CAN possibly help.
1. Splicing, meaning, remove the kit, splice a wire, create a new socket to retrofit my HID kit, get a DS2 adaptor, and a DS2 adaptor for D1S sockets. this would be the most painful way to do it.
2. Get a OEM used ballast+ignitor thing (see below for pictures), I dont get it tho, I thought the ignitor is attached to the bulb itself for D1S! but there are still two things that attaches to the headlight... this way, it'd cost me an arm, OEM USED are about $3-400
3. EBAY D1S HID KIT, you see...I don't have a picture of how the kit looks like, since the headlight power is "just a plug" I'll have to find some sort of adaptor for the kit, maybe even have to spice the plug out, but, this is gonna be one confusing the heck thing to do.
sorry if I'm not clear, I'm freakin' out. This was a cheap set of headlights, so if ANYTHING happens, I guess that's okay eh?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 18,677
Likes: 9
From: OC
a quarter mile at a time
D1S and D2S should use the same socket, the only difference (which you've found) is the igniter is attached to the back of the bulb on the D1S bulb.
Personally, I would buy a aftermarket D2S kit and retro the whole deal. The only problem is that you'll lose BIX functionality unless you get a custom made relay to actuate the solenoid when you pull your high beams.
Personally, I would buy a aftermarket D2S kit and retro the whole deal. The only problem is that you'll lose BIX functionality unless you get a custom made relay to actuate the solenoid when you pull your high beams.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 3
From: New York City
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
hmm, I dont use high beam anyways, the HID fogs are there.
I was thinking, to "cut" and splice a adaptor, for my HID kit, then get a DS2 adaptor, then I should be set
I was planning to take apart the headlights for painting, so this shouldn't be a pain. well I hope it wouldnt be a pain
I was thinking, to "cut" and splice a adaptor, for my HID kit, then get a DS2 adaptor, then I should be set
I was planning to take apart the headlights for painting, so this shouldn't be a pain. well I hope it wouldnt be a pain
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 18,677
Likes: 9
From: OC
a quarter mile at a time
So what you will do is cut the internal wiring inside the headlamp housing. In both of the housings, you'll gut all the stock wiring to only the low beams. From there you'll re-wire it to the aftermarket ballast. Just make sure you get a aftermarket D2S kit. At that point, both headlights should be D2S.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 3
From: New York City
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
yeap! that's what I'm planning... DDM has this DS2 adaptor cable, so I can just use my H7 HID kit, it should work fine 
I'm so excited!
but...I gotta open the headlights first
I'm so excited!
but...I gotta open the headlights first
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 426
Likes: 1
05 c230k 6spd
^^ opening the headlights should be easy man.. just loosen everything.. take the black trim off.. take bulbs out..all that.. put it in the oven at 350 degrees for like 5 or so min.. take em up and seperate the clear plastic.. then slowly keep taking the stuff apart.. i took my stock headlights apart in like 10 min
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 18,677
Likes: 9
From: OC
a quarter mile at a time
just trace the wires from the wiring harness that comes into the lighting harness, then it should go down to where the old ballast used to be. From there you should see a D2S connector on one light and a D1S connector on the other light. You want to cut before it even gets to the old ballast and wire it to the new, aftermarket ballast. Once that's done you have to wire the new connectors going to the new bulbs. I wish i had a better way of explaning.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 3
From: New York City
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
^I totally understand it, i spent an hour taking a look at the wires and figuring what things I should be working on
gonna update this thread with some photos.
gonna update this thread with some photos.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco
2009 SLK 55 AMG
I would like to see a photo of these installed.
Then with a photo of the update replacing your current signature's photo; same exact angle please.
**Pssst: What happened with the shirts? Did the thread get moved?**
Then with a photo of the update replacing your current signature's photo; same exact angle please.
**Pssst: What happened with the shirts? Did the thread get moved?**
