Strange Headlight Issue
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
2001 CLK55
Strange Headlight Issue
I've been having some strange issues with my headlights. The Xenons work fine, but the lights inside of them (the running lights/high beams) are having issues.
The first issue I noticed a few weeks ago is that when I select the high beams, the passenger side would fail and blow a fuse.
As of yesterday, the driver's side is acting up. it will not turn on for the running light brightness, but the high beam is working fine.
I've attached a picture to help clarify. I can't understand how this is possible, because I thought it was just one bulb that is supplied with 2 different voltages to achieve the different brightnesses. I guess there are two circuits, and possibly another bulb I didn't know about...
Any help would be appreciated.
The first issue I noticed a few weeks ago is that when I select the high beams, the passenger side would fail and blow a fuse.
As of yesterday, the driver's side is acting up. it will not turn on for the running light brightness, but the high beam is working fine.
I've attached a picture to help clarify. I can't understand how this is possible, because I thought it was just one bulb that is supplied with 2 different voltages to achieve the different brightnesses. I guess there are two circuits, and possibly another bulb I didn't know about...
Any help would be appreciated.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: The Heights, CA
Tesla Model S
It's two different bulbs. The high beam is an H7 I believe and the city light is an H6W.
Are you using cheap or overvoltage aftermarket bulbs? It also might just be a coincidence.
Are you using cheap or overvoltage aftermarket bulbs? It also might just be a coincidence.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 100
From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG cabriolet Eurocharged
The headlight harness is contained under the covers and built into the headlight assembly.
With heat and age the cable insulation crumbles apart and eventually shorts out, I wouldn't wish this on anyone but S@#T happens.
I leave my access covers off and taped off culprit damaged wires for reliability but I sense another DIY thread coming. LOL
Gator
With heat and age the cable insulation crumbles apart and eventually shorts out, I wouldn't wish this on anyone but S@#T happens.
I leave my access covers off and taped off culprit damaged wires for reliability but I sense another DIY thread coming. LOL
Gator
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
2001 CLK55
Well it definitely was a coincidence. I replaced the H6W bulb, and the high beam issue turned out to be a short caused by some sheet metal ducting I installed to help direct colder air into my CAI setup. a sharp edge was rubbing against the wiring for the headlight (I didn't notice the wiring under the duct-work when I first installed it 
). A little electrical tape on the wires and the sharp edge and all is well!
Gator, I did check the harness in the headlight, but everything looked good. If I do ever have to take it apart, I'll try to remember to take pics for a DIY.
). A little electrical tape on the wires and the sharp edge and all is well!Gator, I did check the harness in the headlight, but everything looked good. If I do ever have to take it apart, I'll try to remember to take pics for a DIY.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 252
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From: San Francisco, CA
2001 CLK55
It's a 55. I got the intake along with the strut bar in a trade for my stock exhaust manifolds which were replaced with some shorty headers. As you can see, I've protected the cone filter from the engine heat with some metal ducting and insulating wrap. At a stop the intake temp still gets pretty hot, but at speeds as low as 30mph, I'm only a few degrees off ambient.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: The Heights, CA
Tesla Model S
Did you do a before/after dyno comparison? Considering that the stock 55 airbox actually flows very well (and is a bolt on 10-15 whp upgrade for a 430) I'm curious as to whether you've made or lost power (butt dyno is not an accurate indicator)
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
2001 CLK55
I've never dynoed the car, only looked at sensor data through the obdII. I never got around to doing the detailed comparison I had planned so I don't actually know if it performs better.
Either way, the car has plenty of power for my needs, and is now a bit more personalized.
If I ever get around to doing flow, pressure, and temp comparisons through a range of speeds like I had planned, ill be sure to post them.
Either way, the car has plenty of power for my needs, and is now a bit more personalized.
If I ever get around to doing flow, pressure, and temp comparisons through a range of speeds like I had planned, ill be sure to post them.
