When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello everyone. I know this is going to show my limited knowledge, so go easy lol. When the car has its low beams on, should all 4 lights be on at the same time, but lower beam from the two inner headlights? And reverse, are all 4 on on the high beam setting?
Here is the problem I am having. If you look at the front of the car, and the low beams are on, the two headlights on the passenger side are on, but only the outer most light (larger one) is on. Once I put the high beams on, all 4 lights come on. I have changed the bulb to the one only coming on when on high beams multiple times with h7 bulbs. It never comes on when low beams are on. But maybe that is normal and it is the other one that is always on that is the problem, but something is wrong. Thanks
Mine is a '99 but should be similar.
Inboard lamps contain both the parking lamp bulb and the H7 high beam bulb. Outboard lamps are Xenon (like mine) or halogen bulbs.
My car engine running and in park, inboard parking lamps are illuminated. With my car running and in gear the inboard parking lamps are illuminated and the outboard Xenon bulbs illuminate.
My car's high beam bulbs in the inboard lights will not illuminate unless I have the light switch in the "on" position and the turn signal stalk in the forward position.
Be aware the internal harness in the headlights of this model is notorious for the insulation flaking off. I completely rewired my headlights to correct this. Aftermarket replacement headlight harnesses are available with an internet search.
See attachment for removal instructions on the '99 model year. Yours should be similar. On my pre-facelift car I replaced the lenses with a new set sourced out of the country of Latvia. When I replaced the lenses is when I discovered the flaking insulation on the headlight harness. My car also has the auto-level headlights with the stepper motor; if your car does not have that option, just disregard that section.
I can not find a tool for me to edit the original post so here it is. The original post is vague I suppose or missing information. I wanted to take photos of the car with the lights on high and low beam so you can see what is working. I tried, but I have a crappy camera and all I get is a glare when I take the photos. So I took a photo of the car without lights on. I then edited the photo 4 times. You can see on each photo the configuration (For example, "CAR ON, LOW BEAM") written on the hood to to speak. Then I simply typed "ON" or "OFF" on each headlight for that configuration. Hopefully you can tell which light has the problem and what to do.
Hey thanks for the info. I wanted to edit my original post with more specific detail. I just made a reply post with edited information below. When you get a chance if you look at it, maybe you can tell me which one is broke and what lights should be on or off depending on high or low beam. There are 4 photos below
Replace the parking lamp, not the H7 high-beam bulb.
Parking lamp is down low, H7 bulb is up high in the reflector.
Be aware the socket of that parking lamp may be severely degraded. If so, order a new socket and replace the old one.
Last edited by bbirdwell; Dec 3, 2025 at 07:58 PM.
Dude, this entire time I had been replacing the H7 large bulb, chasing down wiring issues, trying to find blown fuses, and lo and behold.. it was all this time the small bulb that I did not even know existed. Replaced it and all is well. Thank you so much for the advice. I never owned one of these before and unfamiliar with all its parts. Now onto the next problem, another code!
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
