Strange (Part-Time) HID Error
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From: DC
03 E320/ 11 E550 Cab/ 18 E400 Cab
Strange (Part-Time) HID Error
I recently had an HID kit installed at a local shop. Every once in a while (1 in 10 night starts) only the left headlight comes on and I get an error message that the brakes have malfunctioned... stop the car immediately.
And when this happens the brakes don't work so if you're currently driving...
If I turn the car off and on again, everything's fine.
What could this be? And should I really trust the same aftermarket HID shop to fix it?
And when this happens the brakes don't work so if you're currently driving...
If I turn the car off and on again, everything's fine.
What could this be? And should I really trust the same aftermarket HID shop to fix it?
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2011 E550 (RIP), 2014 CLS 550C4
Don't HID's draw a LOT of current upon start up?
I believe I've read in this forum that weak-ish batteries are responsible for all sorts of electrical gremlins in these cars, including SBC shutdowns.
So, my guess, and it's really just a SWAG, is that perhaps the high initial current draw of the HIDs starting is dropping the available battery amperage low enough to cause the system to think there isn't enough to power the SBC.
Dan
I believe I've read in this forum that weak-ish batteries are responsible for all sorts of electrical gremlins in these cars, including SBC shutdowns.
So, my guess, and it's really just a SWAG, is that perhaps the high initial current draw of the HIDs starting is dropping the available battery amperage low enough to cause the system to think there isn't enough to power the SBC.
Dan
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03 E320/ 11 E550 Cab/ 18 E400 Cab
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 122
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From: DC
03 E320/ 11 E550 Cab/ 18 E400 Cab
Yes, I think so. There were 2 boxes for each bulb, note sure exactly what they were but I would imagine that one had to be a capacitor as I do not have a flickering problem.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 122
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From: DC
03 E320/ 11 E550 Cab/ 18 E400 Cab
When I mentioned this, they said that there was no way this could be the problem and they tried rewiring the lights to the accessories battery. All this did was give me a battery warning light as the small battery was not strong enough to power the lights. But the original problem remained.
In the end I had the HIDs removed and the problem went away.
