Ballast or Headlight Bulb?
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CL55
Ballast or Headlight Bulb?
Noticed the drivers side bulb was dimmer (purplish tint and not as bright) today than the passenger side. Then the bulb went out completely. I turned the dial to off then back to the on position. The light came back on bright then quickly dimmed again. This is my first experience with Xenon faults so before I start replacing parts is the bulb a possible culprit or is this more likely a ballast issue?
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Change the right bulb to the left and left to right. See if it is doing the same thing on the same side. If it is, it's the ballast. If the problem moved with the bulb, it's the bulb.
Thread Starter
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CL55
Thank you, BlownV8. I did that a little while ago. Found out it was the bulb getting ready to go. I've never seen a bulb change color before burning out and that's what threw me. I assumed the color change was due to power being supplied to the bulb itself which made me think ballast.
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From: Washington, DC
'03 CL55 AMG & '09 SL63 AMG
Anybody know the symptoms of the ballast going out?
Symptoms of the bulb going out?
I have the same issue where my passenger bulb turns very yellow and then shuts down, turn them both off then on again and the right bulb is back to blue and quickly goes back to yellow and turns off after a minute or so. Swapped the ignitors, the bulbs, and bought a new ballast to no avail.
Symptoms of the bulb going out?
I have the same issue where my passenger bulb turns very yellow and then shuts down, turn them both off then on again and the right bulb is back to blue and quickly goes back to yellow and turns off after a minute or so. Swapped the ignitors, the bulbs, and bought a new ballast to no avail.
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Joined: Dec 2016
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2012 E550 AWD
Hello. I am experiencing the same thing. I already replaced the lamp to no avail. Now I want to swap the ballasts to confirm the problem. Can anyone point me to where the ballasts are located? Maybe provide an image or diagram? Thank you in advance. E
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 286
Likes: 4
CL55
Anybody know the symptoms of the ballast going out?
Symptoms of the bulb going out?
I have the same issue where my passenger bulb turns very yellow and then shuts down, turn them both off then on again and the right bulb is back to blue and quickly goes back to yellow and turns off after a minute or so. Swapped the ignitors, the bulbs, and bought a new ballast to no avail.
Symptoms of the bulb going out?
I have the same issue where my passenger bulb turns very yellow and then shuts down, turn them both off then on again and the right bulb is back to blue and quickly goes back to yellow and turns off after a minute or so. Swapped the ignitors, the bulbs, and bought a new ballast to no avail.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 286
Likes: 4
CL55
The ballast is mounted on the bottom of the headlight assembly. Your issue could also be the ignitor which is plugged in directly to the bulb. But be absolutely certain it's not the bulbs before you start digging around. It can get pricy.
Last edited by khutchinson22; Dec 22, 2016 at 12:53 PM.
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