QUestion on xenon assembly - need help!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Oakland
2018 E43 | 2017 GLS450 | 2004 CLK 500
QUestion on xenon assembly - need help!
OK so I was trying out a 5000k bulb this morning and in the process the clip that holds the bulb down came off. I spent 1.5 hours trying to get this damn clip back on and just couldn't see how it's supposed to clip on around the top of the metal ring (that holds the bulb). Last time I replaced the bulbs the clips stayed in place so I just had to remove and the secure the two bottom tabs that squeeze into the notches. So frustrated I dropped by my dealer to see if they could just stick the bulb back in since I had to get going somewhere.
Well the dealer looks at it and 10 minutes later tell me that it looks like the "plastic" tabs that hold the metal clip in place are broken and I need to order a new headlamp assembly. Are they jiving me? I don't believe there's any "plastic" involved here that could have broken. but I could be wrong - plastic juse doesn't make sense.
So my question is:
1. Is the dealer trying to rob me and making up this plastic tab deal
2. If so, it sounds like my best bet is to just take the headlamp assembly out and check it out myself. It'll probably be easier to get the clip back on. But I don't want to go through this effort if the dealer might be telling the truth.
Well the dealer looks at it and 10 minutes later tell me that it looks like the "plastic" tabs that hold the metal clip in place are broken and I need to order a new headlamp assembly. Are they jiving me? I don't believe there's any "plastic" involved here that could have broken. but I could be wrong - plastic juse doesn't make sense.
So my question is:
1. Is the dealer trying to rob me and making up this plastic tab deal
2. If so, it sounds like my best bet is to just take the headlamp assembly out and check it out myself. It'll probably be easier to get the clip back on. But I don't want to go through this effort if the dealer might be telling the truth.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 31
From: Oakland
2018 E43 | 2017 GLS450 | 2004 CLK 500
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Thanks will try in daylight when it stops raining out here.
I know there's instructions on how to take our headlamps out - but can't find it. Can someone post a link? I know there's one for a w203, but is it exactly the same? I can't believe you gotta take the damn bumper off to pull the headlamp out.
Thanks will try in daylight when it stops raining out here.
I know there's instructions on how to take our headlamps out - but can't find it. Can someone post a link? I know there's one for a w203, but is it exactly the same? I can't believe you gotta take the damn bumper off to pull the headlamp out.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Slovakia
09C63AMG, 03E320
I had the same problem. There si no plastic as i remeber, there is small metal piece on the metall ring that holds the clip. Since i've spent hour trying to get it back, i finally removed my bumper and headlight. Once you find out how to properly put the clip behind the metal tabs, its pretty easy.
Try pushing the upper "V" part of the clip between the tabs, first one side, than the other one. Push back to the backlight and then slightly push it down to the ground so it can get behind the clip.
Like Clkboi said, try doing it in daylight, and using a small mirror can help you look at it.
Try pushing the upper "V" part of the clip between the tabs, first one side, than the other one. Push back to the backlight and then slightly push it down to the ground so it can get behind the clip.
Like Clkboi said, try doing it in daylight, and using a small mirror can help you look at it.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 31
From: Oakland
2018 E43 | 2017 GLS450 | 2004 CLK 500
Follow up:
So I had no luck getting the clip back in, and I didn't have time to remove the bumper to take the headlight out so I drove around last week with the xenon cable hanging down. uhh bad move. The cable started arcing and fried. So I ordered a new cable off ebay and today my shop (also had trouble getting the clip back on and had to remove the bumper) spliced the cable in, and got my light up and running.
This is why I hate the f%%*% dealers. I bet even after they figured out that the tech was just bullsheetting me about clips being broken, they probably still would have had me order a new assembly. But given my failure at getting a clip back in, it's a pain to think I gotta pull the bumper out to change a bulb - poor design. Changing a bulb should take 1 minute.
btw - I changed my xenon from 6000k down to 5000k. I liked the look at first, but then it started to feel too blue. And I couldn't see jack.
So I had no luck getting the clip back in, and I didn't have time to remove the bumper to take the headlight out so I drove around last week with the xenon cable hanging down. uhh bad move. The cable started arcing and fried. So I ordered a new cable off ebay and today my shop (also had trouble getting the clip back on and had to remove the bumper) spliced the cable in, and got my light up and running.
This is why I hate the f%%*% dealers. I bet even after they figured out that the tech was just bullsheetting me about clips being broken, they probably still would have had me order a new assembly. But given my failure at getting a clip back in, it's a pain to think I gotta pull the bumper out to change a bulb - poor design. Changing a bulb should take 1 minute.
btw - I changed my xenon from 6000k down to 5000k. I liked the look at first, but then it started to feel too blue. And I couldn't see jack.
