Xenon Headlamp Flickering
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10
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2014 E350 4Matic Sedan w212
Xenon Headlamp Flickering
My car: 2007 E350 4Matic Sedan
The issue: Right Xenon headlamp began flickering at startup. On for a second; Flicker for a second; Off for 2 seconds; Repeat cycle.
Would return to normal function after about 5 minutes of driving. No warning or fault display message.
After a brief examination by the dealer, he said I need a new headlamp assembly at $1700 to replace. Said I could get a cheaper part online and they would do the replacement for $260.
Did the dealer do a thorough job of diagnosing the problem?
Thanks
The issue: Right Xenon headlamp began flickering at startup. On for a second; Flicker for a second; Off for 2 seconds; Repeat cycle.
Would return to normal function after about 5 minutes of driving. No warning or fault display message.
After a brief examination by the dealer, he said I need a new headlamp assembly at $1700 to replace. Said I could get a cheaper part online and they would do the replacement for $260.
Did the dealer do a thorough job of diagnosing the problem?
Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
My car: 2007 E350 4Matic Sedan
The issue: Right Xenon headlamp began flickering at startup. On for a second; Flicker for a second; Off for 2 seconds; Repeat cycle.
Would return to normal function after about 5 minutes of driving. No warning or fault display message.
After a brief examination by the dealer, he said I need a new headlamp assembly at $1700 to replace. Said I could get a cheaper part online and they would do the replacement for $260.
Did the dealer do a thorough job of diagnosing the problem?
Thanks
The issue: Right Xenon headlamp began flickering at startup. On for a second; Flicker for a second; Off for 2 seconds; Repeat cycle.
Would return to normal function after about 5 minutes of driving. No warning or fault display message.
After a brief examination by the dealer, he said I need a new headlamp assembly at $1700 to replace. Said I could get a cheaper part online and they would do the replacement for $260.
Did the dealer do a thorough job of diagnosing the problem?
Thanks
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...headlight.html
I'd start by swapping ballasts and see if flickering occurs on left side, it's probably ballast or bi-xenon bulb!
Last edited by Stuttgarten; Mar 5, 2018 at 12:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10
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2014 E350 4Matic Sedan w212
Thank you for replying.
The dealer claims they tried a new bulb, but it did not fix the problem. Interestingly, I had that same Xenon bulb replaced by the dealer in November 2016. Odd that it would go again out 15-months later.
By the way, is swapping or replacing ballast a DIY type job?
Thanks!
The dealer claims they tried a new bulb, but it did not fix the problem. Interestingly, I had that same Xenon bulb replaced by the dealer in November 2016. Odd that it would go again out 15-months later.
By the way, is swapping or replacing ballast a DIY type job?
Thanks!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
Yes, swapping ballasts is a DIY, just disconnect battery negative first. Ballast is attached to bottom of headlight assembly, it's the unit with the yellow sticker vs. a similar module unit next to it with a white sticker, check out pic from Pelican Parts below. You may have to remove bumper to access it, but I was also told you could also remove plastic front engine guard below and access ballasts, which would make the job a lot faster.
https://cdn4.pelicanparts.com/techar..._med/pic20.jpg
https://cdn4.pelicanparts.com/techar..._med/pic20.jpg
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
The bulb going out could also be a sign of cheap aftermarket bulb, but if you got it at the dealer, it should be an oem one. You should have gotten both replaced because new ones are typically brighter than the old ones. But yeah, it's usually either the bulb or the ballast. And you can just buy the ballast. To replace the entire housing, that would make more sense if the cornering motors were burnt out. I would have asked what codes did their star diagnostic spit out?
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 49
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E320 CDI, Jetta 06 TDI, GLS450 20, Boat:2 Volvo TAMD75+1 Kubota genset
Might want to swap bulbs first, mine acted similar and fixed with 2 new bulbs--I did get an error "bulb out" eventually, but light was still on.
Thread Starter
Newbie
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2014 E350 4Matic Sedan w212
Follow up: I bought the headlamp assembly online at MBPartsHQ.com. $775 for an oem part that retails for $1300. Upon arrival of the part, I took it to the dealer, who did the installation for $252. All is working fine except the new bulb is brighter than the old one.
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2023
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w211 E320
Unless the extra brightness is because the lens is clearer on the new unit, fitting a new bulb to the other side could cure the imbalance. Alternatively you could refit the old bulb to balance the brightness. I was told by a specialist that the xenon arc bulbs never fail they just get darker and change colour. My Mercedes dealer refused to fit a single unit and insisted both sides had to be replaced with new headlamp assemblies. They wanted £3000 for the whole job. I fitted an aftermarket ballast for £30 which has lasted longer than the original. The price for an OEM ballast was £300 and not available at the time.
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