Flickering xenon headlights
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Columbia,SC
2017 GLE 350 Wifey, 2005 C55 AMG
Flickering xenon headlights
Has anyone had any problems with the xenons flickering on/off periodically, it does not happen all the time but at least 50% of time headlight are in use, and its annoying especially if I'm driving behind you 
the car only has 35k on it and those xenon bulbs are supossed to last just about forever correct? If it is just a sign they need to be replaced can anyone recommend a place to purchase replacement bulbs for less than the 180.00 a pop the dealership charges?
thanks in advance
Moe
the car only has 35k on it and those xenon bulbs are supossed to last just about forever correct? If it is just a sign they need to be replaced can anyone recommend a place to purchase replacement bulbs for less than the 180.00 a pop the dealership charges?thanks in advance
Moe
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: ATL
05 C55 AMG
I replaced one of mine at around 50k miles or so and the other at 70k. I just bit the bullet and paid dealer prices maybe someone else can chime in with a cheaper option.
35K miles does sound a little soon for them to go out though.
35K miles does sound a little soon for them to go out though.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
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none
If you want to buy bulbs that are close to stock in terms of life and performance
Buy the Philips D2S bulbs or go to the dealer and cough up the $$$
I hat putting those in, they are such a PITA to install.
You can also get aftermarket bulbs which offer a different temperature range (they are all over ebay) but they will burn out in 10-20 K miles
Buy the Philips D2S bulbs or go to the dealer and cough up the $$$
I hat putting those in, they are such a PITA to install.
You can also get aftermarket bulbs which offer a different temperature range (they are all over ebay) but they will burn out in 10-20 K miles
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: NY
2014 E350 4Matic
You can buy xenon bulbs that are just as good on ebay for $10 to $12 dollars each. Who cares if they burn out once a year. I bought three sets last year and the first set is working fine. When I had the flickering problem I needed to replace the igniter and ballast on both of my headlights, problem solved. Before that the lights would flicker and flash off for 2 or 3 seconds at a time. Changing bulbs did not solve the problem. The stealer even banged me for $200 bucks for bulbs on one occasion. Do not buy bulbs from the dealer, profound waste of money and not necessary at all.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: centennial, CO
2003 c240
constant and fast flickering is usually due to low voltage, but intermittent flickering is probably due to bad ballasts or igniter, and for replacement bulbs check out morimoto. They are fairly high quality and fairly cheap. PM me for website if you'd like.
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From: Oregon
2005 C55, 1988 260E, 2000 Chevrolet Silverado
I went through several bulbs before changing both igniter's. Problem solved! The igniter's in our car are built into the light assembly. The dealer will try to sell you a complete assembly but all you need is a igniter kit for $86 and a new bulb. But try the new bulb first.
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From: USA
Marsaydees
I went through several bulbs before changing both igniter's. Problem solved! The igniter's in our car are built into the light assembly. The dealer will try to sell you a complete assembly but all you need is a igniter kit for $86 and a new bulb. But try the new bulb first.
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From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
is it true that you can just replace the bulb for my xenon lights if i wanted to just put 6,000k? i believe they're called d2s bulbs? a friend of mine owns an HID company and they're apparently really good so i wanted to use them.
Super Member
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From: centennial, CO
2003 c240
yes, but be aware that the further away for 4300k (oem) color, the less useable lumens you get, but 6000k isn't too bad also.
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Phx, AZ
N/A
FYI there is a recall service bulletin for this issue on the C55 there are electronic pieces they replace in the headlights and housing, (not sure what pieces, but there are 3 steps/phases they try to fix the issue) they did the service bulletin all 3 steps to mine and it got better... before that I felt like I was driving a disco strobe light on the front of the car...lol
Mine where doing the same thing with the flickering, it seems to get worse when its cold, under 75 degrees.
Eventually I got a "low beam" bulb error on the dashboard and the light stayed off, I turned lights off then on again and has been working fine ever since.
Mine where doing the same thing with the flickering, it seems to get worse when its cold, under 75 degrees.
Eventually I got a "low beam" bulb error on the dashboard and the light stayed off, I turned lights off then on again and has been working fine ever since.
