Headlights turn off while driving
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 290
Likes: 48
From: Florida
2013 ML350, 2019 S560
Headlights turn off while driving
Have any of you had issues with W212 headlights turning off while driving?
I have had my E550 2010 in for this issue twice and now it is recurring. This happens when first start car and driving for about 5-10 minutes. They shut off for 10-30 seconds, then come back on. Light switch is in ON position. I have seen this issue with other MBs (CLKs) but not on W212s. They flashed my relay control units in past at dealer.
I am hoping for a permanent fix. Any advice? Going back to dealer next week.
I have had my E550 2010 in for this issue twice and now it is recurring. This happens when first start car and driving for about 5-10 minutes. They shut off for 10-30 seconds, then come back on. Light switch is in ON position. I have seen this issue with other MBs (CLKs) but not on W212s. They flashed my relay control units in past at dealer.
I am hoping for a permanent fix. Any advice? Going back to dealer next week.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 8
From: Placitas, NM
E550
Right.
There are two possible issues here:
*** a known possible defective switch, known to get into a battle with the software and drain your battery dead as a doornail overnight . . . and what else might it do?
*** the fact that on "A", the damn thing is always watching the ambient light to decide if the lights should be on. In that case, if the OP's lights are turning off at inappropriate times, there is a real safety issue here and MBZ should address it.
There are two possible issues here:
*** a known possible defective switch, known to get into a battle with the software and drain your battery dead as a doornail overnight . . . and what else might it do?
*** the fact that on "A", the damn thing is always watching the ambient light to decide if the lights should be on. In that case, if the OP's lights are turning off at inappropriate times, there is a real safety issue here and MBZ should address it.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 290
Likes: 48
From: Florida
2013 ML350, 2019 S560
I meant that the switch is turned to the far right position (ON) when this happens.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Tampa ,FL
2008 C350 Sport 2017 Ford Explorer Sport
Hi blackbullit. I have been experiencing the same exact thing with my 2008 c350. Always happened when I first got in and started the car and would stop after driving a few minutes. It actually got worse after a few weeks and the lights would go off and not come back on.. to the point I had to move the headlight switch to so the lights would come back on. I've taken my car to dealership and they supposedly fixed it... by charging the battery and cleaning the terminals at the control module. Was fine for 2 weeks and now happening again... but now it is totally random.Happened every day last week but not once this week. I definitely will be taking it back to the dealer.. I'm afraid now that they may have it for a long time before they even see the problem happen again. It baffles me to say the least. Please post if you find a permanent fix.. I will be sure to do the same. Thank you and best of luck.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 8
From: Placitas, NM
E550
Hi blackbullit. I have been experiencing the same exact thing with my 2008 c350. Always happened when I first got in and started the car and would stop after driving a few minutes. It actually got worse after a few weeks and the lights would go off and not come back on.. to the point I had to move the headlight switch to so the lights would come back on. I've taken my car to dealership and they supposedly fixed it... by charging the battery and cleaning the terminals at the control module. Was fine for 2 weeks and now happening again... but now it is totally random.Happened every day last week but not once this week. I definitely will be taking it back to the dealer.. I'm afraid now that they may have it for a long time before they even see the problem happen again. It baffles me to say the least. Please post if you find a permanent fix.. I will be sure to do the same. Thank you and best of luck.
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Romania
E220
the same here :(
Hi blackbullit. I have been experiencing the same exact thing with my 2008 c350. Always happened when I first got in and started the car and would stop after driving a few minutes. It actually got worse after a few weeks and the lights would go off and not come back on.. to the point I had to move the headlight switch to so the lights would come back on. I've taken my car to dealership and they supposedly fixed it... by charging the battery and cleaning the terminals at the control module. Was fine for 2 weeks and now happening again... but now it is totally random.Happened every day last week but not once this week. I definitely will be taking it back to the dealer.. I'm afraid now that they may have it for a long time before they even see the problem happen again. It baffles me to say the least. Please post if you find a permanent fix.. I will be sure to do the same. Thank you and best of luck.
it has been over 2 yers , did u find any solution ?
my e220 2010 has the same problem , but my interior lights goes on when he wants to work...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 347
2011 E-350 4Matic Sport
2 year reply lol.
The headlight circuit is usually provided with a circuit breaker, not a fuse. it sounds like there is an overload of some sort that was activating the breaker and cutting voltage to the headlights. Then the breaker would cool down and re-connect the circuit = headlights on then off, then back on. Wonder if the dealer ever simply replaced the breaker to see if that corrected the problem.
The headlight circuit is usually provided with a circuit breaker, not a fuse. it sounds like there is an overload of some sort that was activating the breaker and cutting voltage to the headlights. Then the breaker would cool down and re-connect the circuit = headlights on then off, then back on. Wonder if the dealer ever simply replaced the breaker to see if that corrected the problem.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 290
Likes: 48
From: Florida
2013 ML350, 2019 S560
The Fix for Headlights Turning Off
I took my 2010 E550 to my indy after MB dealer could not fix.
I asked him to replace the headlight switch. Cost about $70.
He simply replaced the entire headlight switch with a new one and it has never recurred in the last 2 years.
I asked him to replace the headlight switch. Cost about $70.
He simply replaced the entire headlight switch with a new one and it has never recurred in the last 2 years.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Tampa ,FL
2008 C350 Sport 2017 Ford Explorer Sport
Sorry for abandoning the thread. After many failed attempts by the dealership my problem was finally solved just as Blackbullit's. Had them replace the headlight switch and haven't had a problem since.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2011 Mercedes Benz E350 4matic
Emergency. Bro please tell me what was the solution I’m Having the same issue on mine
Have any of you had issues with W212 headlights turning off while driving?
I have had my E550 2010 in for this issue twice and now it is recurring. This happens when first start car and driving for about 5-10 minutes. They shut off for 10-30 seconds, then come back on. Light switch is in ON position. I have seen this issue with other MBs (CLKs) but not on W212s. They flashed my relay control units in past at dealer.
I am hoping for a permanent fix. Any advice? Going back to dealer next week.
I have had my E550 2010 in for this issue twice and now it is recurring. This happens when first start car and driving for about 5-10 minutes. They shut off for 10-30 seconds, then come back on. Light switch is in ON position. I have seen this issue with other MBs (CLKs) but not on W212s. They flashed my relay control units in past at dealer.
I am hoping for a permanent fix. Any advice? Going back to dealer next week.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,921
Likes: 6,769
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
W212 HEADLIGHTS NOT ACTIVATING...
On W212 chassis our HL switch is a bare-bone module, not a true power switch. The module request Front Rear SAM to activate the various light modules at F/R.
The 2x HL modules are directly powered 24x7 in a low-power sleeping mode.
> TROUBLESHOOTING:
With all this switching and networking, the HL issues are easily confusing.
A good scanner with LIN support will be necessary to interact with HL components.
-- The No1 drama provider is the questionable windshield Rain/Light sensor.
-- The simple workaround is to use the "light switch" to request HL manually.
-- The fix is to get the sensor module to communicate again: either with basic soldering or with cheap replacement unit.
"Let there be light"!
The 2x HL modules are directly powered 24x7 in a low-power sleeping mode.
> TROUBLESHOOTING:
With all this switching and networking, the HL issues are easily confusing.
A good scanner with LIN support will be necessary to interact with HL components.
-- The No1 drama provider is the questionable windshield Rain/Light sensor.
-- The simple workaround is to use the "light switch" to request HL manually.
-- The fix is to get the sensor module to communicate again: either with basic soldering or with cheap replacement unit.
"Let there be light"!
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Aug 28, 2024 at 02:06 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,921
Likes: 6,769
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
