HID Functionallity question
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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2003 e500 sport
HID Functionallity question
I have a 2003 E500. The drivers side low beam has been out for a while so I bought a new bulb... I put it in and still no light on the drivers side.... the one thing that I noticed is that when the passenger side lights up, the light physically aims down and then back up. The drivers side is not doing this. Does this sound like a balast problem?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Bay Area
14 550 sedan
"Physically aims down and then back up" sounds like you have bi-xenons with active curve illumination? If that's the case than maybe it's not the ballast but the motor inside that's having problems.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: VA
THE C350
Down and back up is normal for bix. Active curve is when it moves for the curve.
So the driver side xenon light does not ignite or move correct? The ballast controls all of that so easy way to test is swap the ballast from the right side over and see if that fixes the issue. I also hope you bought good quality bulbs such as genuine Philips (most are fake) If it does turn out to be the ballast just get a used one off ebay as they are cheap and don't actually fail that often. If the light still doesn't work and you have of course by now checked the wiring and bulb it could be the igniter.
So the driver side xenon light does not ignite or move correct? The ballast controls all of that so easy way to test is swap the ballast from the right side over and see if that fixes the issue. I also hope you bought good quality bulbs such as genuine Philips (most are fake) If it does turn out to be the ballast just get a used one off ebay as they are cheap and don't actually fail that often. If the light still doesn't work and you have of course by now checked the wiring and bulb it could be the igniter.
