Hello,

Had this problem only recently hopefully its a quick fix like a bad headlight. Before I go changing all headlights and brake lights to figure which ones gone bad any suggestions if it is something else?

A couple of weeks ago in a left hand drive C43 amg, on th eleft of the steering wheel is the headlight control switch. Only recently Ive been hearing an audible clicking noise. It sometimes doesn't come on, sometimes comes on and goes away after 5 minutes, or stays on for a while. It goes away if i restart the car but may come back and repeat above.

Also when switching to highbeams the ticking increases in speed, then switching down goes back to normal ticking speed.

Is this a bad headlight? Ive been reading it may be relays or valves which changing would be out of my league.

If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated.

Thanks

if you forget to reliese the handbrake, you will hear an audioable ping ping warning sound.
is it something like this you hear?

i never heard that headlights will give a click sound.
your car is it a high mileage car, does it show problems projecting lights?

No idea of the solution apart from a gremlin wanting out
It could be a relay as the main fuse box and relay holders are just behind on the other side of the bulkhead. Open the hood and get to listen around there...

Ya I'm going to test the relays I guess, because when driving it appears both headlight still working and no bulb indicator on the dash.

Also was just driving it, realized it instantly turns off when in Park, put it back in drive noise comes back on.

As for the parking brake, its not that, theres a dash light showing its engaged (and more of a beeping noise) Ive tried to release it multiple times anyways still no solution.

And yes car is decently high mileage, but no current or previously seen problems with the headlights, just started all of a sudden.

Thanks for trying to help.

Another quick update. When I turn the headlight dial to the right one notch (the interior and dash lighting, the headlights start to flicker on and off rapidly) I am assuming this is the problem. Would there be a certain relay for the interior dash lights that triggering? Also any tips on how to access/fix relays. Gunna call mechanic tomorrow but would like to try to fix on my own just for fun if it is at my level.

Thanks for any help

Secondary question:
Do you have halogens or xenons?

Halogens I believe.

So it's not the ballasts.

So the ticking stopped for a day or two randomly...now its back. Really have no idea what it could be. Does anyone know how to access the relays behind the dash. Tried to go from the panel under the dash but didnt look like it gave access to them.

Posting to bump this thread.

Any help is appreciated.

Might need to remove the cluster.

I have spare parts. Let me know if you need relays or switches

Hello,

Sorry for bumping this thread so much with updates, I know it doesn't help alot of people (hopefully will in the future), its just really annoying hearing that noise and at night not being able to have my dash lights on to see the speedometer since the headlights go crazy.

I found the relays in the hood on the driver side behind the fuse box. Took the fuse box framing off to open the relay area. 99 C43 AMG so it looked like this:



**Found this pic in google search....its from the mbworld forums too Different Problem though **

Note: In that pic I have a relay or whatever plugged into that top rectangular area....again not sure what each does.

Everything seemed fine. Again not sure what exactly to look for still a car noob. Turned the car on and put it in drive with the headlight knob turned one to the right(night mode). The ticking noise was there as usual and the headlights were flickering rapidly. With it still in drive had someone tap the relays to see if anything was going to change. The ticking noise stopped and so did the flickering. Thought it was fixed, put everything back on and enjoyed 1 night with the dash illuminated in the nice orange glow.

Next morning.....ticking noise back....turned the dial, still ticks faster and the headlights still blinking.

I couldn't find a guide or diagram for the relays so not sure what each relay was for or if they were even for the headlights.

Next step I want to do is remove the headlight knob under the far left (LHD) vent. Does anyone know how to open this panel up without striping the entire front dash apart?

Any tips or suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

do you have wiper arms under your headlights?
you sure you don't have zenons instead of halogens?

when your buddy tapped the relays and ticking noise went away, it sounds like you have a glitch in one of the relays?
I believe these relays are pritty expensive, I know they used to be back in the old days.
best thing is to have them checked out one by one so you can find the culprit.

If you have a friend with code reader hook it up and check what codes are shown?
I hope you find the problem and hopefully cheap to fix

Hey kowalski,

I do have wiper arms under my headlights.

I am not 100% sure what type of headlight bulbs (how would i determine, sorry big noob here)

When you say test the relays 1 by 1 what would you recommend. With the car off and removing them and testing their current?

I don't know anyone with a code reader unfortunately.

Thanks for helping though.

What colour are the headlights? When you turn them on, are they a bit blueish before turning bright white? If so they are Xenons. If so, you will have some stickers around the bulb areas warning of high voltages.

No I don't believe they are blue.

To be honest with you I think last time I was trying to diagnose and was looking at the headlights one was yellow-ish one was white. Bought car used so don't know if previous owner may have replaced only one light and now they're different.

Would you happen to know which of the relays in the pic above are the daytime running lights relay? Someone mentioned to check this, just not sure which relays are for what, or if these are even the right relay box for it.

Thanks

go to your trusted shop and ask your best mechanic buddy if he can measure the current to each relay.
this will be cheaper than buying all relays not knowing which one gone bad

zenonz project the beam, halogens don't
try this on a wall at night

guud luck

Another easy way of detecting if they are Xenons, place the vehicle in front of a wall and turn on headlights. If you see them move up then down, they are Xenons. They do this little "dance" or curtsey test to get to the correct hight.

Also if you have different colours left and right, someone has changed a bulb to a different make or spec than the other.

It is good practice to change BOTH bulbs when one dies, as you can be sure the older one will blow soon after the first. A good quality bulb will cost a bit more on purchase, but will give you better light and safer driving at night. I used Osram Night Breaker Plus halogens in my old C240 in the low and high beams, together with the fog lights. I did plenty of night driving and loved the light they gave. Probably second best to Xenons.

If you have Xenons, you probably have two warning stickers like you see on the photo. The top one is a warning regarding a possible 25'000v shock and the lower one is just a normal electric warning sign on the top of the headlight unit.

Also all Xenons came with headlight wipers.

Hi. I know its 2023 now but did you find out what the problem was? Im dealing with something similar now.