C55 Headlight problem, need help
11-09-2011, 04:50 PM
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e36 318i, 2004 sti
C55 Headlight problem, need help
Awhile back I ordered some new DS2 bulbs for my C55 xenon headlights. When I put the first one in on the driver side it didnt work right but the passenger side works fine. I just got a replacement bulb and now it doesnt light up at all. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
11-09-2011, 05:02 PM
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C32/C55 AMG
Question, why were you replacing bulbs in the first place, was there an initial problem?
It may be possible that you damaged something on install or taking out the bulb. Check to see if you installed the bulb correctly.
It may be possible that you damaged something on install or taking out the bulb. Check to see if you installed the bulb correctly.
11-09-2011, 05:05 PM
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e36 318i, 2004 sti
I was replacing the stock bulb with a DS2 8000k bulb for looks. The stock ones were working perfectly fine. I think I installed them right since the passenger one works fine.
When I was putting the first one in it made a shortening noise since im guessing it wasnt properly installed. It worked for about 2-3 weeks and than just stopped working.
When I was putting the first one in it made a shortening noise since im guessing it wasnt properly installed. It worked for about 2-3 weeks and than just stopped working.
11-09-2011, 05:55 PM
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C32/C55 AMG
I was replacing the stock bulb with a DS2 8000k bulb for looks. The stock ones were working perfectly fine. I think I installed them right since the passenger one works fine.
When I was putting the first one in it made a shortening noise since im guessing it wasnt properly installed. It worked for about 2-3 weeks and than just stopped working.
When I was putting the first one in it made a shortening noise since im guessing it wasnt properly installed. It worked for about 2-3 weeks and than just stopped working.
Here's a pic of the ballast underneath the headlight
Here's another pic, I'm trying to remember if this is the igniter, but I don't think it is.
Here's the thread on how to replace the igniter. https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...y-guide-3.html
Here's a good thread on how to remove the xenon bulb: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...enon-bulb.html
Last edited by loudandheard; 11-09-2011 at 06:11 PM.
11-11-2011, 01:46 PM
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C55 AMG
Tim,
In all likelyhood it is the ballast, these go on our cars every 5 years or so. Find them on ebay its the same for ours as the CLK, but I dont think the normal c class one works for it... they are about 200 bucks, if you go to a dealership they will want 1200 for the whole headlight assembly bc merc doesnt sell the ballast individually. Hope thats all the problem is.
Adam
In all likelyhood it is the ballast, these go on our cars every 5 years or so. Find them on ebay its the same for ours as the CLK, but I dont think the normal c class one works for it... they are about 200 bucks, if you go to a dealership they will want 1200 for the whole headlight assembly bc merc doesnt sell the ballast individually. Hope thats all the problem is.
Adam
11-11-2011, 05:37 PM
#6
Theres a DTB for an upgraded igniter/ballast. It takes about 20-50 min to install and you dont have to take the headlamp out or apart. It involves removing the affected side inner fender and soldering a new ballast and igniter in. This is the most common problem I see with them.
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11-11-2011, 08:16 PM
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e36 318i, 2004 sti
Do you think this will work?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-BOSCH-AL...item19c9496741
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-BOSCH-AL...item19c9496741
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11-11-2011, 11:32 PM
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Yes Tim that is the exact one! Great find, I got mine used from a guy in germany (75 bucks)... it should be about an hour at a dealership to change it out. unless you have a place to put the car up in the air then I can help a little about how to get to the unit easier.
11-12-2011, 01:24 AM
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'03 C32
The key to avoiding the $1200 parts charge for this BS is to figure out whether the problem lies in the igniter or in the ballast. Apparently, this isn't as simple as it should be.
Still can't believe how many little things go wrong on the C class AMGs and how the price to repair those little things is actually very big!
Still can't believe how many little things go wrong on the C class AMGs and how the price to repair those little things is actually very big!
11-13-2011, 03:59 PM
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C32/C55 AMG
That would be the easiest way of doing it, the pics I posted are the headlights from my C55 that the dealer replaced with new ones. You can see from the pic there are three screws and it's underneath the headlight. I remember reading that there may be enough room under the headlight to remove it, if you can remove the inner fender lining.
11-15-2011, 04:01 PM
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@loudandheard Did you end up doing a step by step to take off the bumper, I have the thread from a w209 CLK but I wanted to make sure they were the same locations of the bolts and clips.
Thanks,
Adam
Thanks,
Adam
11-15-2011, 04:29 PM
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C32/C55 AMG
@loudandheard Did you end up doing a step by step to take off the bumper, I have the thread from a w209 CLK but I wanted to make sure they were the same locations of the bolts and clips.
Thanks,
Adam
Thanks,
Adam
Link, take in mind this is for a regular w203, should be very similar. https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...s-removal.html
Last edited by loudandheard; 11-15-2011 at 04:35 PM.
11-16-2011, 05:38 PM
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C32/C55 AMG
Now, the ballast. On mine at this point they lights worked for 1 mile, then the drivers side went out totally. To access the drivers side ballast jack and chock the car and remove the front drivers side wheel. You will see the inner wheel arch made up of three plastic covers. You need to remove the front and middle covers. They are held in place by some 10mm screws (metal) and 10mm nuts (plastic) and some click pins. All can be easily removed, and wriggle the plastic inner wheel arches out. You will be able to see the light unit and the ballast screwed to the underneath it is removed by the torsion driver (3 torsion bolts) or if you are lucky the small flat screwdriver will fit. Unscrew the 3 bolts and put them somewhere safe. The ballast will come away with a light pull.
To test it, you need to repeat with the passenger side wheel. Its the same process but because the washer bottle blocks access to the light unit you need to remove the light unit totally. This can only be done by loosening the front bumper bar on the passenger side. There are a number of visible bolts that you unfasten, a slider underneath the wheelarch connecting the bumper to the body (it unclips easily) and a hard to see bolt behind the front grille which you can gain access to by pulling the grille away slightly.
Once this is all loosened there is a bolt to unfasten on the light unit and then the light unit can be removed by wriggling it up, forward and out. Swap over the Ballasts, reconnect the wires on the passenger light unit (no need to reinstall at this point) and see what happens. If the fault follows the ballast then it is bust and needs replacing. If not, it may be the ignitor that is broken and you will need a new light unit with integral ignitor (Probably big money or a breakers if you are lucky)
You will find the ballast to be around £300 plus at a merc dealer or the self same part at Bosch is £127 if they have any (Bosch part number 1 307 329 072).
To test it, you need to repeat with the passenger side wheel. Its the same process but because the washer bottle blocks access to the light unit you need to remove the light unit totally. This can only be done by loosening the front bumper bar on the passenger side. There are a number of visible bolts that you unfasten, a slider underneath the wheelarch connecting the bumper to the body (it unclips easily) and a hard to see bolt behind the front grille which you can gain access to by pulling the grille away slightly.
Once this is all loosened there is a bolt to unfasten on the light unit and then the light unit can be removed by wriggling it up, forward and out. Swap over the Ballasts, reconnect the wires on the passenger light unit (no need to reinstall at this point) and see what happens. If the fault follows the ballast then it is bust and needs replacing. If not, it may be the ignitor that is broken and you will need a new light unit with integral ignitor (Probably big money or a breakers if you are lucky)
You will find the ballast to be around £300 plus at a merc dealer or the self same part at Bosch is £127 if they have any (Bosch part number 1 307 329 072).
11-18-2011, 11:42 AM
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e36 318i, 2004 sti
It wont let me see it. I got the wheel off. What tool do you need for these bolts? Its not a star or hex? Im not the gear head expert so if anyone can help that would be great..
11-20-2011, 12:44 PM
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e36 318i, 2004 sti
I just replaced the driver side ballast and it works!. But now the passenger side doesnt work? I made sure all the connectors are on there good. I also let the car idle to charge up the battery since it has not been drivin the last couple days. Any idea why this is happening?
11-20-2011, 06:32 PM
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C32/C55 AMG
I just replaced the driver side ballast and it works!. But now the passenger side doesnt work? I made sure all the connectors are on there good. I also let the car idle to charge up the battery since it has not been drivin the last couple days. Any idea why this is happening?
