C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

Headlights wiring harness

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Old Jul 7, 2016 | 12:01 AM
  #1  
shan's Avatar
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From: Malaysia
W203 (2007), W120 (1962)
Headlights wiring harness

I have finally taken out the front bumper and the headlights. The wiring insulation is almost completely cracked up.
I don't seem to be able to remove the wiring harness inside the housing.
Is there anyway to do this without having to remove the glass cover? I am trying to avoid this, looks more complex and I may cause major damage to the lights.
Thank you. Shan.
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Old Jul 7, 2016 | 11:28 AM
  #2  
LexBrett2's Avatar
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From: DC Metro Area
2007 Mercedes E550
Originally Posted by shan
I have finally taken out the front bumper and the headlights. The wiring insulation is almost completely cracked up.
I don't seem to be able to remove the wiring harness inside the housing.
Is there anyway to do this without having to remove the glass cover? I am trying to avoid this, looks more complex and I may cause major damage to the lights.
Thank you. Shan.
Shan,
If you take a pic I might be able to help. I changed out headlight fixtures this year
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Old Jul 7, 2016 | 11:11 PM
  #3  
shan's Avatar
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From: Malaysia
W203 (2007), W120 (1962)
Thanks LexBrett2.
I am attaching some photos.
You can see the massive damage to the insulation.
The photo is from the RHS lamp. The LHS is equally rotten.
I am going to use the same sockets by removing the damaged wires and the metal clips
in them. I have already done this for the lights sockets. But I can't dislodge the black socket with 5 straight pins carrying 5 wires on the inside of the light housing. I intend to new wires and clips but the same original plastic casings. Thanks




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Old Aug 19, 2018 | 09:39 PM
  #4  
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From: San Francisco, CA
2003 C230 Sedan Manual
Originally Posted by shan
Thanks LexBrett2.
I am attaching some photos.
You can see the massive damage to the insulation.
The photo is from the RHS lamp. The LHS is equally rotten.
I am going to use the same sockets by removing the damaged wires and the metal clips
in them. I have already done this for the lights sockets. But I can't dislodge the black socket with 5 straight pins carrying 5 wires on the inside of the light housing. I intend to new wires and clips but the same original plastic casings. Thanks




Did you figure out how to take the wiring harness out? It looks like I may have to do the same on mine. The passenger light is out and bulb/fuses don't seem to be the problem. But the wiring is pretty much bare.
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Old Aug 20, 2018 | 11:14 PM
  #5  
shan's Avatar
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From: Malaysia
W203 (2007), W120 (1962)
I could not get the replacement wire harness here in Malaysia, even though it was being advertised in eBay.
I could not get the OEM light sockets or the connecting plugs either. I was told to buy a new pair of lights.
So I got hold of some new wires, coloured but not following the original colour code, soldered on to the existing plugs
and refitted. There was one wire going deep into the lamp housing that I could not access. So insulated it by pushing in
a heat shield tubing as far as it could go. It was because of this wire, I did not buy the wire harness from eBay.
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Old Jan 8, 2019 | 03:47 PM
  #6  
Younes ERRATI's Avatar
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W204 2009
Originally Posted by shan
I could not get the replacement wire harness here in Malaysia, even though it was being advertised in eBay.
I could not get the OEM light sockets or the connecting plugs either. I was told to buy a new pair of lights.
So I got hold of some new wires, coloured but not following the original colour code, soldered on to the existing plugs
and refitted. There was one wire going deep into the lamp housing that I could not access. So insulated it by pushing in
a heat shield tubing as far as it could go. It was because of this wire, I did not buy the wire harness from eBay.
Yeah I think I'm going to do the same thing here. Make a fresh wire harness and modify the headlights to make the plug in the bulb cover instead taking from the source and just kill the wires inside the headlights. This way changing the wiring would become a plug and play kind of deal and wouldn't cost as much.
Will post pictures when it's over.
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Old Jan 11, 2019 | 10:25 PM
  #7  
Pepe188's Avatar
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C200 W202
This is indeed a problem with the wiring in C200 series headlights as they can't seem to breath & over years will deteriorate. I didn't have such a problem as mine are good but made sure they sit at the back more away from the bulb before I attach the boot. You could try to colour code
& the use joiners to crimp. If you can't get the right colours then colour mark on a strip of masking tape & attach to the wire. Just a thought.
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Old Jan 11, 2019 | 10:26 PM
  #8  
Pepe188's Avatar
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C200 W202
Thats the worst I've ever seen. Lucky you didn't short?
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Old Jan 11, 2020 | 07:28 AM
  #9  
Sean Ong's Avatar
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Mazda 6
Originally Posted by Younes ERRATI


Yeah I think I'm going to do the same thing here. Make a fresh wire harness and modify the headlights to make the plug in the bulb cover instead taking from the source and just kill the wires inside the headlights. This way changing the wiring would become a plug and play kind of deal and wouldn't cost as much.
Will post pictures when it's over.
Hi Younes,
can share more details on this ? maybe photos ?
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Old Jun 1, 2020 | 02:33 PM
  #10  
Gary Hyman's Avatar
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190e
Hi where did you get that new wire harness to buy ?
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Old Aug 21, 2020 | 11:51 AM
  #11  
Al Schafer's Avatar
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From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
2002 W215, Past 2 108, 3 126, 1 w213
This is exactly the same situation I have on the 02 CL500 (215). Exactly the same photo. Apparently Bosch is the new Lucas. Welcome to a world of darkness !
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Old Aug 23, 2021 | 07:31 AM
  #12  
reneelisa's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 8
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From: Dallas tx
2006 clk 350
Headlight nightmare!

Hello, my name is Ana and I seem to be having the same problem in my 06 clk 350, the wires are completely bare and I'm wondering if this is why, I'm getting such a ****ty drive, I also will show piks, I've been trying to work on her myself but after doing some tlc on my own, I drove her today and my whole right side went out. What a bumber

06 clk 350 light wireharnesd
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Old Aug 23, 2021 | 07:29 PM
  #13  
Jocahox's Avatar
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From: Pasadena md
2007 230 sport
Buy new ones from eBay for $40

eBay $40
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Old Aug 23, 2021 | 11:49 PM
  #14  
reneelisa's Avatar
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Joined: Aug 2021
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From: Dallas tx
2006 clk 350
It's too much

I'd rather just buy new lights,I have another question, I bought automend pro and when I used it the error codes p0015 came up, at the same time both leadlamps wires were exposed causing issues, my question is, could the error code be popping up because of the electrical currents being exposed, there for causing mayham, I've patched up a quick fix for the lights and the obd11 is saying 0 issues yet I still have 3 lights out.
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Old Aug 23, 2021 | 11:51 PM
  #15  
reneelisa's Avatar
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 8
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From: Dallas tx
2006 clk 350
This should be reported for safety for sure

I reported my clk go or safety issues everyone should do the same
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 10:33 AM
  #16  
jocaho's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
2007 230 sport
Same problem

My drivers side was almost bare so I taped them up now the passenger side is going the parking light I have to wiggle to work and right turn signal is just socket and bulb no wires I’m hesitant to do myself cuz taking bumper off to get lights out and then hooking the right wires to right bulbs
should I just take this to a shop ???
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