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Headlight turns off in 30 sec. - Not control Module
2011 E350 Cabriolet. Dash warning only indicated that dynamic lighting was inoperable. No warning headlight was out. Low beam and high beam not working on passenger side. I replace the bulb, obviously burned out and it worked for about 30 seconds then stopped. I took to stealership and they wanted $799 to diagnose. Said they had to pull bumper to swap control modules to diagnose. I said thanks but no thanks. Just pulled bumper and swapped control modules and the passenger side still turns off after about 30 seconds. What's the fix? New computer. I bought this car from independent shop and we had headlight issues from the start. they recoded and said it was good. It's now a year later and probably on my own for fix. Putting the headlights back in and bumper back on. Now just know it's not the control module.
Have someone check for fault codes using MB diagnostics. Common issue why modules fail is moisture, check all connections.
There should have two modules per side: LED control module/voltage converter (150 in diagram) smaller in size is for powering up and converting power to make LED lights work, and control module/ballast (230) it controls main beam functions. Replacing LED control module and coding using MB diagnostics should clear message and allow lights to operate properly.
Need VIN to confirm modules and current replacement part #s.
The dealer swapped bulbs and said swapping module (230 in diagram) was next diagnosis. I can swap (150) to see if that the issue but main headlight is not working. Low beam or high beam. Works about 30 seconds then goes out.
Dash warning only indicated that dynamic lighting was inoperable, dealer swapped bulbs and recommended swapping modules. Curious why didn’t they do a Xentry (MB diagnostics) quick test instead of swapping parts to begin with would have taken less time and given a definitive diagnose.If you swapped both modules and problem persists could be internals and headlamp needs replacement. Odd that selling dealer resolved with recoding and a year later problem resurfaced. At this point I would have an independent do MB diagnostics quick test before proceeding. BTW VIN is invalid need 17 characters.
@konigstiger. Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate you taking time to help. Below is vin#.
It's possible the independent dealer recoded light, then its didnt last long and wife drove for months without knowing. She doesnt see well at night, and doesnt drive much at night. I noticed when she was following me home one night and I saw the headlight out in my rear view. Honestly, there are so many other lights up there it's not obvious, when driving that a headlight is out.
The car is going back into the dealership for air bag recall fix. I'll ask then to run a MB diagnostic quick test. Hopefully they wont charge me another $189 just to run test. If they do I'll purchase an Alibaba STAR system and do my own diagnosis. That's the plan anyway.
06-28-2020, 01:46 PM
