Headlight Flickering
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
2016 E250 Bluetec 2002 CL55, 2000 430CLK Cab
Headlight Flickering
I would appreciate some assistance from any of you with Xenon headlamp experience. My car still has the original bulbs in place and yesterday I first began to see a message advising to check Right Low Beam. When driving last night (first time in at night after seeing the message) when the lights came on the right headlamp kept cycling on and off about every 10 - 15 seconds, if would be dim, get bright and then go dark and then continue through this cycle.
I have searched and searched and learned a great deal about how to replace the bulbs, how to upgrade to higher candlepower units, how to add HID when the car came from the factory with standard bulbs and even how to upgrade to the 03 style complete units.....but what I can't seem to understand is if this is a symptom of an 8 year old bulb going out or is this likely a larger problem with a ballast or an even more expensive repair?
I have the Chrysler Max Care warranty which would likely cover a major issue, but won't cover the bulbs. I have ordered 2 replacement bulbs (OEM) and plan to replace both if this is the issue as I have read that if one is going the other is likely not far behind.....and I bought 2 on eBay for the price of one at the dealer so why not!
If this is a ballast are those expensive and/or difficult to replace?
Has anyone seen this kind of behavior with your Xenon lamps??? If so your experience and resultant fix would be greatly appreciated.
I have searched and searched and learned a great deal about how to replace the bulbs, how to upgrade to higher candlepower units, how to add HID when the car came from the factory with standard bulbs and even how to upgrade to the 03 style complete units.....but what I can't seem to understand is if this is a symptom of an 8 year old bulb going out or is this likely a larger problem with a ballast or an even more expensive repair?
I have the Chrysler Max Care warranty which would likely cover a major issue, but won't cover the bulbs. I have ordered 2 replacement bulbs (OEM) and plan to replace both if this is the issue as I have read that if one is going the other is likely not far behind.....and I bought 2 on eBay for the price of one at the dealer so why not!
If this is a ballast are those expensive and/or difficult to replace?
Has anyone seen this kind of behavior with your Xenon lamps??? If so your experience and resultant fix would be greatly appreciated.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 386
Likes: 12
Cl65 AMG
I'm not saying a BMW is a Benz but this post i read is interesting. As I read the info, it seems a poor connection ( high resistance ) is causing the line voltage to drop a bit and thus causing the problem. I assume the ballast needs a stable voltage / amperage feed. Without that a surge can cause flickering. I don't have this type of issue but being a auto electrical specialist it would not surprise me.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...ght=flickering
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...ght=flickering
