Bi-xenon shutter problem on left side
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 86
Likes: 14
From: Toronto, CANADA
2008 E300 4MATIC
Bi-xenon shutter problem on left side
Hi,
The high beam on the driver side (left side) of my 2008 E300 appears not to work. Dip beams work fine. When I pull the light stalk back for flash, the halogens work as expected. When I press the light stalk forward for high beams, the shutter on the HID will move out of the way for the passenger side (right side) but nothing happens on the driver's side (left side). No code or CEL are being thrown by the car. This could be mechanical where the stepper/solenoid for the shutter is broken, or it could be electrical where the connection to the headlight assembly is corroded or loose.
How do I troubleshoot the cause?
The high beam on the driver side (left side) of my 2008 E300 appears not to work. Dip beams work fine. When I pull the light stalk back for flash, the halogens work as expected. When I press the light stalk forward for high beams, the shutter on the HID will move out of the way for the passenger side (right side) but nothing happens on the driver's side (left side). No code or CEL are being thrown by the car. This could be mechanical where the stepper/solenoid for the shutter is broken, or it could be electrical where the connection to the headlight assembly is corroded or loose.
How do I troubleshoot the cause?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 86
Likes: 14
From: Toronto, CANADA
2008 E300 4MATIC
<BUMP>
I'm still experiencing this problem. I've replaced both HID bulbs as well as both ballasts. Still the same symptoms. Since the shutter stepper motor is controlled by the CANbus, could this be a problem in the connection to the CANbus?
I'm still experiencing this problem. I've replaced both HID bulbs as well as both ballasts. Still the same symptoms. Since the shutter stepper motor is controlled by the CANbus, could this be a problem in the connection to the CANbus?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 86
Likes: 14
From: Toronto, CANADA
2008 E300 4MATIC
<bump>Still having this problem but the symptoms are different now that I've made some changes.
Symptoms:
1. low beams working properly now after ballast replacements
2. headlight self-levelling sequence completes when first turned on
3. high beam shutter only works on driver's (left) side when light switch is in "0", "Auto" and "parking" positions, whether I choose flash or high beam
4. both high beam shutters work when light switch is in "headlight" position
Changes:
1. original Hella ballast transferred from driver's (left) side to passenger (right) side
2. faulty passenger's (right) side ballast changed to aftermarket non-Hella unit and installed on driver' (left) side
3. both HID bulbs swapped for high quality D1S Osram bulbs
Is this high beam shutter problem something that a dealer or indy can correct using a STAR system to reprogram the headlights?
Symptoms:
1. low beams working properly now after ballast replacements
2. headlight self-levelling sequence completes when first turned on
3. high beam shutter only works on driver's (left) side when light switch is in "0", "Auto" and "parking" positions, whether I choose flash or high beam
4. both high beam shutters work when light switch is in "headlight" position
Changes:
1. original Hella ballast transferred from driver's (left) side to passenger (right) side
2. faulty passenger's (right) side ballast changed to aftermarket non-Hella unit and installed on driver' (left) side
3. both HID bulbs swapped for high quality D1S Osram bulbs
Is this high beam shutter problem something that a dealer or indy can correct using a STAR system to reprogram the headlights?
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 633
Likes: 48
From: USA
2006 E320 CDI
<bump>Still having this problem but the symptoms are different now that I've made some changes.
Symptoms:
1. low beams working properly now after ballast replacements
2. headlight self-levelling sequence completes when first turned on
3. high beam shutter only works on driver's (left) side when light switch is in "0", "Auto" and "parking" positions, whether I choose flash or high beam
4. both high beam shutters work when light switch is in "headlight" position
Changes:
1. original Hella ballast transferred from driver's (left) side to passenger (right) side
2. faulty passenger's (right) side ballast changed to aftermarket non-Hella unit and installed on driver' (left) side
3. both HID bulbs swapped for high quality D1S Osram bulbs
Is this high beam shutter problem something that a dealer or indy can correct using a STAR system to reprogram the headlights?
Symptoms:
1. low beams working properly now after ballast replacements
2. headlight self-levelling sequence completes when first turned on
3. high beam shutter only works on driver's (left) side when light switch is in "0", "Auto" and "parking" positions, whether I choose flash or high beam
4. both high beam shutters work when light switch is in "headlight" position
Changes:
1. original Hella ballast transferred from driver's (left) side to passenger (right) side
2. faulty passenger's (right) side ballast changed to aftermarket non-Hella unit and installed on driver' (left) side
3. both HID bulbs swapped for high quality D1S Osram bulbs
Is this high beam shutter problem something that a dealer or indy can correct using a STAR system to reprogram the headlights?
ballast is used to convert 12vdc to high voltage to excite the xenon gas.
Last edited by ot1; Oct 1, 2023 at 06:47 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 86
Likes: 14
From: Toronto, CANADA
2008 E300 4MATIC
Thanks OT1. I called.an independent shop today and spoke with the owner (ex-MB mechanic). He said essentially the same thing. Since this doesn't really interfere with the drivability of the car and I have at least one working position on the light switch, he said to leave it be. I agreed considering the cost of the alternative (i.e. replacing either the headlight assembly or the stalk on the steering column). He said it was a known problem and weakness with W211.
