Headlight vacuum adjuster leak ?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 123
Likes: 3
From: Norway
W203 C200K (2001)
Headlight vacuum adjuster leak ?
Hey guys, been doing some work on my headlights (3 weeks old benz owner
)
I noticed the headlight adjuster dial doesn't work on in the dashboard, also when it's on the 0 setting, it produces some hissing sound, gets lower when I put it up to 3, but it's always there.
I opened it up, and it looks perfect, the tubes are intact.
here's how it looks:
I tried tracing the tubes into the engine compartment, but they hide behind the firewall and it was a bit hard to get through today
But i popped both vacuum tubes from the headlamps and tested them, i can't feel any pressure whatsoever so my guess is
1- The dial switch is broken, and causing the leak.. Since it's hissing ?
2- There's a leak someplace in the engine compartment.
Am I right ? I'm a total noob when it comes to the Vacuum system
so if you guys have any tips to help me diagnose the problem without having to buy a new switch for nothing, that would be awesome
Here's the sucker on the headlight, both sides are just dead..
I did STFF and found a couple of posts, one from 2009 that the owner didn't come back to us on what he did, the other was about an SLK with vacuum pump in the trunk, I didn't bother going into the trunk cause I think W203's use the engine for vacuum right ?
)I noticed the headlight adjuster dial doesn't work on in the dashboard, also when it's on the 0 setting, it produces some hissing sound, gets lower when I put it up to 3, but it's always there.
I opened it up, and it looks perfect, the tubes are intact.
here's how it looks:
I tried tracing the tubes into the engine compartment, but they hide behind the firewall and it was a bit hard to get through today
But i popped both vacuum tubes from the headlamps and tested them, i can't feel any pressure whatsoever so my guess is
1- The dial switch is broken, and causing the leak.. Since it's hissing ?
2- There's a leak someplace in the engine compartment.
Am I right ? I'm a total noob when it comes to the Vacuum system
so if you guys have any tips to help me diagnose the problem without having to buy a new switch for nothing, that would be awesome
Here's the sucker on the headlight, both sides are just dead..
I did STFF and found a couple of posts, one from 2009 that the owner didn't come back to us on what he did, the other was about an SLK with vacuum pump in the trunk, I didn't bother going into the trunk cause I think W203's use the engine for vacuum right ?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 123
Likes: 3
From: Norway
W203 C200K (2001)
Just wanted to update you guys , it was the control knob that was leaking !, I changed it and everything works perfect !
I also noticed there's a hex screw on the side of the knob , I think it adjusts the leakage, so before buying another switch try tightening that adjuster first !
I also noticed there's a hex screw on the side of the knob , I think it adjusts the leakage, so before buying another switch try tightening that adjuster first !
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
For those with self leveling BiX headlights don't be confused by the purple tubes. They are still fitted but do nothing.
The BiX activators are electric servo motors.
The BiX activators are electric servo motors.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: Mauritius
Mercedes-Benz C200K
Just wanted to update you guys , it was the control knob that was leaking !, I changed it and everything works perfect !
I also noticed there's a hex screw on the side of the knob , I think it adjusts the leakage, so before buying another switch try tightening that adjuster first !
I also noticed there's a hex screw on the side of the knob , I think it adjusts the leakage, so before buying another switch try tightening that adjuster first !
Last night we took both cars out to adjust the headlights. The control knob on his was working. Today he took the knob out and disassemble it to clean it out and I think, not sure, that he may have lost a spring or something like that. We put everything back and now it's too loose.
Do you have any pic of the control knob's interior? That would be great.
