E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Xenon Problem

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Old Jul 14, 2005 | 09:11 AM
  #1  
Bundy's Avatar
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Xenon Problem

I turned on my lights today leaving to go to work and one of my xenon headlights came on with a orange-like color rather than the normal blue-white.

Has anyone had this problem or know what the problem is. If I need to replace it, does anyone know what is involved and costs?
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Old Jul 14, 2005 | 09:19 AM
  #2  
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Your xenon bulb is gone. Need replacement. They ususally last about 3000 hours (life of car), so yours could be the defective one.

DO NOT buy them from dealer, I think they charge $240/each for xenon bulb. This is the Philips D2S 4300K bulb (code 85122). If you have problem looking for one costing less than $50 (new), PM me.

You should be able to find them for around $40/each (new) on eBay. However, with xenon, it's important that you replace both side at the sametime, to maintain color & brightness (they change as they age). Change both.

Replacement of bulb is simple: open the back cover, twist the ignitor on the back of the bulb slight counter clockwise and pull it out, open the two clip pins, pull the bulb, put everything back.

If you need further instruction, PM me.

Originally Posted by Bundy
I turned on my lights today leaving to go to work and one of my xenon headlights came on with a orange-like color rather than the normal blue-white.

Has anyone had this problem or know what the problem is. If I need to replace it, does anyone know what is involved and costs?

Last edited by zam2000; Jul 14, 2005 at 09:22 AM.
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Old Jul 14, 2005 | 10:13 AM
  #3  
CE750's Avatar
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'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
I can tell you that what ever zam tells you, you can take it to the Bank.. he knows Xenon. Also, Zam.. I wonder when you change the bulb, if you need to be careful not to touch the bulb with your hands?? like with halogen? or is that not true of xenon bulbs?
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Old Jul 14, 2005 | 11:16 AM
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It's true of all bulbs coz grease / sebum on your hand could leave the surface of the bulb heating up unevenfully causing it to fail.
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Old Jul 15, 2005 | 02:36 AM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by Bundy
I turned on my lights today leaving to go to work and one of my xenon headlights came on with a orange-like color rather than the normal blue-white.

Has anyone had this problem or know what the problem is. If I need to replace it, does anyone know what is involved and costs?

Dealer should cover the replacment if the car has factory xenons. If not, follow the other posters recommednations.

Thanks,
Adam
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Old Jul 19, 2005 | 04:50 PM
  #6  
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Turns out it was not the bulb but the power supply which is a $900 part plus labor. Together with my 60k service, this will be a $2000+ trip to the workshop.
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Old Jul 20, 2005 | 01:04 AM
  #7  
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You could buy a ballast on eBay or forum for about $80-100. Take 10 minutes to replace. If you can manage to take out the headlight, I can walk you step to step on how to do it, and you could save lot of $$

Since you're approaching 60K mile, I guess the warranty expired ?

The next and easiest option is to buy a W211 headlight on eBay, they run about $200-300/unit. Cost more if buy in pair.

Originally Posted by Bundy
Turns out it was not the bulb but the power supply which is a $900 part plus labor. Together with my 60k service, this will be a $2000+ trip to the workshop.

Last edited by zam2000; Jul 20, 2005 at 01:06 AM.
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