E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Headlight issues

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Old Jan 11, 2018 | 03:00 PM
  #1  
Daniel Olivares's Avatar
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2005 E500
Headlight issues

Hello,

I am having issues with the Driver side HID head light going out. And also the Driver side inner running light (H7 bulb ) not working.
First, The Headlight began flickering and would eventually correct itself. Now it is just dead. I have switched the bulbs and Igniter from the Passenger side and did not fix the issue. THis would leave the ballast, correct? If it is the ballast, is it specific for the year are will any year replacement for a W211 do?

With the inner driving light (not sure of the proper name, high beam,running light?) I have changed the H7 bulb with a new one and it did not work. Is there a fuse that is specific for the passenger side? What else can I look at to trouble shoot?

Thanks for any help.

2005 E500 HID headlights
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Old Jan 11, 2018 | 06:34 PM
  #2  
Strigoi's Avatar
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2001 E320 Wagon, 2006 LBZ Silverado, 2007 E63 (sold), 2001 E55 (sold)
The inner ones are called "city lights".
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Old Jan 12, 2018 | 10:30 AM
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2005 E500
Is there a common issue that usually cause the "city lights" not to work? I tried a new bulb already.
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Old Jan 12, 2018 | 02:27 PM
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It's most likely the ballast. Have you tried swapping the ballasts left <---> right? If the problem doesn't swap sides with the ballasts then you likely have a faulty connection in the harness or a broken/burned wire inside the headlight housing.

I believe the ballasts are the same for model years 2003-2006. On the facelift models, the wiring changed.

Last edited by EuroDriverSD; Jan 12, 2018 at 02:30 PM.
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Old Jan 12, 2018 | 07:43 PM
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2005 E500 AMG Appearance Pkg
I second the ballast. If you have a wiring problem with the non hid lights within the headlight you may have to open them up if you cant trace a fault outside of the housing.
but I had the same issure with the passenger HID bulb going out eventually after flickering. I did everything you did and it was the ballast. I got one off ebay for $36
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Old Jan 25, 2018 | 11:51 AM
  #6  
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2005 E500
Sorry for the delay. Thanks for the advice. I'll be buying the ballast. Hope it solves the problem for the HID.
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