E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Xenon Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jul 14, 2005 | 09:11 AM
  #1  
Bundy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
E500
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?
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2005 | 09:19 AM
  #2  
zam2000's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 9
From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
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.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2005 | 10:13 AM
  #3  
CE750's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 2
From: FL410
'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?
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2005 | 11:16 AM
  #4  
Kev04C320's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,330
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
'09 911 C4S
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.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2005 | 02:36 AM
  #5  
Smoltz's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
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
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2005 | 04:50 PM
  #6  
Bundy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
E500
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.
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2005 | 01:04 AM
  #7  
zam2000's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 9
From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
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.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:02 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE