Help with Repairing BiXenon Low Beam Issue
10-25-2017, 01:21 AM
#1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Help with Repairing BiXenon Low Beam Issue
My 2004 CLK500 is having a BiXenon Low Beam issue (these are OEM BiXenons) and my online searching hasn't found anything I can pursue, so I'm hoping the mbworld gurus can lend a hand. I will first go over the symptoms, then I will add what I found online.
Symptoms: It was nighttime and I cold started my car; I happened to park my car right in front of a wall that day and I noticed that the passenger Xenon low beam had a strange color compared to the driver-side low beam (I don't remember what color it was, but I do remember it was strange). After about 6 seconds the passenger side Xenon started turning on and off and after 20 seconds the light turned off for good. While I was driving home, I manually turned the lights on and off, but the passenger-side Xenon never came back on; I figured the SAM wouldn't try to energize it till the next restart. When I got home I turned off the car and turned on the headlights, they both came on but I noticed that the passenger-side Xenon was not as bright as the driver side Xenon; about 20 seconds later the passenger-side Xenon turned off and stayed off.
What I read online: It usually comes down to 3 main things, D2S Xenon Bulb, Igniter, or Ballast. The first thing I will do is switch the Xenon bulbs around and see if the issue follows the passenger-side bulb, but I don't have high hopes that this is the problem. Next I can either try fixing the Igniter (by using a kit) or replacing the ballast; but both options are pricey and on top of that, I have questions about ordering the right one.
A Igniter repair kit part number I found online is A203 820 11 12; its about $240 at pelicanparts.com and from what I read it requires splicing/soldering. I heard that there is a new kit that doesn't require splicing, but I haven't seen any other part numbers or kits like that online.
Ballast is another issue; what is the part number? Which one should I buy? ebay has have some aftermarket ones for around $45 (but will they work with MB electronics), a new OEM ballast goes for around $600 (ouch), and used ones somewhere in between (while carrying the risk of not working or not working for very long).
Does anyone have any thoughts on this or have some past experiences they can share?
Symptoms: It was nighttime and I cold started my car; I happened to park my car right in front of a wall that day and I noticed that the passenger Xenon low beam had a strange color compared to the driver-side low beam (I don't remember what color it was, but I do remember it was strange). After about 6 seconds the passenger side Xenon started turning on and off and after 20 seconds the light turned off for good. While I was driving home, I manually turned the lights on and off, but the passenger-side Xenon never came back on; I figured the SAM wouldn't try to energize it till the next restart. When I got home I turned off the car and turned on the headlights, they both came on but I noticed that the passenger-side Xenon was not as bright as the driver side Xenon; about 20 seconds later the passenger-side Xenon turned off and stayed off.
What I read online: It usually comes down to 3 main things, D2S Xenon Bulb, Igniter, or Ballast. The first thing I will do is switch the Xenon bulbs around and see if the issue follows the passenger-side bulb, but I don't have high hopes that this is the problem. Next I can either try fixing the Igniter (by using a kit) or replacing the ballast; but both options are pricey and on top of that, I have questions about ordering the right one.
A Igniter repair kit part number I found online is A203 820 11 12; its about $240 at pelicanparts.com and from what I read it requires splicing/soldering. I heard that there is a new kit that doesn't require splicing, but I haven't seen any other part numbers or kits like that online.
Ballast is another issue; what is the part number? Which one should I buy? ebay has have some aftermarket ones for around $45 (but will they work with MB electronics), a new OEM ballast goes for around $600 (ouch), and used ones somewhere in between (while carrying the risk of not working or not working for very long).
Does anyone have any thoughts on this or have some past experiences they can share?
The following users liked this post:
2MCHCAR (10-30-2017)
The following users liked this post:
2MCHCAR (10-30-2017)
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2MCHCAR (10-30-2017)
10-30-2017, 10:31 PM
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Update: It was the bulb! I bought a new set of D2S HID Bulbs and all lighting issues went away! Big thanks to degeja, Rudeney, and waveterrorist for chiming in with the correct diagnosis (I made sure to hit the Thanks button too)!
As an FYI, I have some information about the OEM pre-facelift HID ballasts; the part number is 1 307 329 066 01 and the OEM manufacturer is Bosch (from what I read you want to stick to OEM). MB will sell you a new one for $600+, ebay sells used units for $75-$150 or you can search Ebay Europe and can find a new Bosch unit for around $200 shipped (I bought one as a spare in case I need one in the future).
As an FYI, I have some information about the OEM pre-facelift HID ballasts; the part number is 1 307 329 066 01 and the OEM manufacturer is Bosch (from what I read you want to stick to OEM). MB will sell you a new one for $600+, ebay sells used units for $75-$150 or you can search Ebay Europe and can find a new Bosch unit for around $200 shipped (I bought one as a spare in case I need one in the future).
