LED Headlights
#101
MBWorld Fanatic!
The saga continues lol!
As I'm trying to schedule the remote coding I ask for instructions on how to connect the harness The response was "it's self - explanatory." Well, there's the 1 connector I don't know what to do with.
"You need a height level sensor" if not equipped with airmatic (for the auto leveling feature).
Well now I have ordered the height level sensor
Oh and for the coding, "contact so-and-so via Skype Tell him I sent you."
Slowly getting there...
As I'm trying to schedule the remote coding I ask for instructions on how to connect the harness The response was "it's self - explanatory." Well, there's the 1 connector I don't know what to do with.
"You need a height level sensor" if not equipped with airmatic (for the auto leveling feature).
Well now I have ordered the height level sensor
Oh and for the coding, "contact so-and-so via Skype Tell him I sent you."
Slowly getting there...
#102
Super Member
Well I admire your dedication - but it all seems so extreme for the adaptive lights, which are so neutered here in the states to begin with. I spent a weekend test driving a 2016 E350 with the static LED and I ended up buying a car with the full LED setup stock. It's nice, yes, but those static LEDs were quite nice too with very wide, even light. I would perhaps have updated the high beams had I kept the car, but otherwise I would have been happy.
#103
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yeah in retrospect the static leds have grown on me - very nice lighting as you described. I'm getting tempted to leave them as-is but I already have everything for the retrofit - just waiting to schedule the coding.
#104
Super Member
In my case, I can have all ILS features fully functioning but since my car isn't equipped with the "stereo camera" on the windshield for park assist or whatever it does, I won't be able to activate the auto high beam feature. Everything else is supposed to work, including auto leveling.
#105
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yeah, no kidding. Mercedes has so many alternative options but many of them are cost-prohibitive after a car leaves the factory.
In my case, I can have all ILS features fully functioning but since my car isn't equipped with the "stereo camera" on the windshield for park assist or whatever it does, I won't be able to activate the auto high beam feature. Everything else is supposed to work, including auto leveling.
In my case, I can have all ILS features fully functioning but since my car isn't equipped with the "stereo camera" on the windshield for park assist or whatever it does, I won't be able to activate the auto high beam feature. Everything else is supposed to work, including auto leveling.
Last edited by LILBENZ230; 01-06-2020 at 06:21 PM.
#106
Super Member
Yeah, I guess auto level will be all. Apparently I would need the multifunction camera, cables, new windshield and coding to get the rest of the features. I don't think I'm going to do that.
#107
LED HEADLIGHTS
Has anyone tried these lights? The page looks like they are top quality and say it’s just plug and play. Also saw that the YouTuber “Flexx Alexander” installed a pair of headlights on his W204 and the quality is A1.
#108
Super Member
They seem to be the same Depo ones that me and ninjabanana bought on ebay and had problems with
#109
MBWorld Fanatic!
With the factory headlights being LED low beams, no need to swap them out for these which will almost certainly have inferior performance.
#110
Super Member
Last edited by EuroDriverSD; 01-10-2020 at 07:44 AM.
#111
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yeah there is no way I would ditch the OEM LED low beam lights for those Depo faux-lighting-package lights. The improvement in appearance during the day is debatable (IMO I think the lighting package lights look a little weird) and the performance at night is reduced, not improved. Not worth it. I think you should commit - as you're doing - to the OE ones (made by Hella) or you should accept the stock lighting which is quite good as is.
#112
Hello all
Just want to update some info after installed the DEPO LED headlight. At first, I got the same problem that EuroDriverSD mentioned before(Error message and the right side headlamp stays on after ignition off). I talked to the DEPO manufacture in Taiwan and tried to figure out this issue. The DEPO engineer said this issue was caused by the "LED DRIVER" so they sent this chip to the seller and had them install on the new DEPO headlight assembly.The seller was really nice and did the replacement for me right away. Now, the headlight runs pretty well and no error so far.
Just want to update some info after installed the DEPO LED headlight. At first, I got the same problem that EuroDriverSD mentioned before(Error message and the right side headlamp stays on after ignition off). I talked to the DEPO manufacture in Taiwan and tried to figure out this issue. The DEPO engineer said this issue was caused by the "LED DRIVER" so they sent this chip to the seller and had them install on the new DEPO headlight assembly.The seller was really nice and did the replacement for me right away. Now, the headlight runs pretty well and no error so far.
Last edited by ninjabanana; 01-30-2020 at 11:10 PM.
#113
The headlights arrived and I went at it yesterday. Appearance wise, they look great. Performance is pretty good but not quite as good as the factory low beams. Here's the before pics:
Foreground
Low beams
High beams
Spread
Here's the after:
The new look
Low beams
A little streaking, weird yellow U-shaped pattern in the foreground
On the road.
Foreground
Low beams
High beams
Spread
Here's the after:
The new look
Low beams
A little streaking, weird yellow U-shaped pattern in the foreground
On the road.
Just want to update some info after installed the DEPO LED headlight. At first, I got the same problem that EuroDriverSD mentioned before(Error message and the right side headlamp stays on after ignition off). I talked to the DEPO manufacture in Taiwan and tried to figure out this issue. The DEPO engineer said this issue was caused by the "LED DRIVER" so they sent this chip to the seller and had them install on the new DEPO headlight assembly.The seller was really nice and did the replacement for me right away. Now, the headlight runs pretty well and no error so far.
#114
Super Member
Glad you got it to work! I wonder if it has something to do with the chipset being different for pre-facelift vs facelift
#115
Member
#116
Super Member
I finally sourced all the necessary parts and coordinated with the coding tech in Germany. However in the interim I decided to install lowering springs and figured it would be best to install the springs first before having the lights calibrated. Springs got installed today so hopefully next week I'll finally get the lights done. I'll post once they're done.
#118
Member
The only problem is that here you are replacing a perfectly fine new OEM high quality headlamps with cheap Chinese knockoff for your high end German car.
The only situation where I would consider this is if both of your headlights are damaged and need replacement and your insurance refuses to pay for a brand new replacement but will only offer used / refurbished ones for replacement.
The only situation where I would consider this is if both of your headlights are damaged and need replacement and your insurance refuses to pay for a brand new replacement but will only offer used / refurbished ones for replacement.
BTW I know a Ford dealer mechanic who recently saw a F 150 that had LED's modded in by the owner, the heat sink fans failed and the headlight housings (plastic) melted. Very expensive fix due to cost of new housings.
#119
Super Member
Quick update on my OEM retrofit
I finally installed the headlights and had the car coded this morning (the coding tech is in Germany and with the 9 hour difference, I had to get up at 4am to do it - sigh).
The good news is the that the lights work - everything seems to be operational. I have dancing movement at startup, auto on at dusk, low beams, high beams, turn signals, etc. The bad news is that I have a "active headlamps inoperative" message in the cluster. Tech said there is a problem with both the left and right led modules. He asked me to recheck the wiring.
I doubt that I have a bad connection but I plan to take it apart tonight to double - check. Also find it suspicious I got 2 bad modules (all 4 are new)
I'll post updates and pics - I haven't had a chance to see them at night yet
[Quick edit]
I got around to testing them last night and by golly they are niiiice! The Depos have nothing on these! Granted, the OEMs are an option at a very steep premium.
I did notice that when I start the car, sometimes the lights dance and sometimes they don't - not sure if they're supposed to do their dance every time or if this is due to the error code I have.
Here's some pics
ILS car off
ILS DRL's
ILS low beams
I finally installed the headlights and had the car coded this morning (the coding tech is in Germany and with the 9 hour difference, I had to get up at 4am to do it - sigh).
The good news is the that the lights work - everything seems to be operational. I have dancing movement at startup, auto on at dusk, low beams, high beams, turn signals, etc. The bad news is that I have a "active headlamps inoperative" message in the cluster. Tech said there is a problem with both the left and right led modules. He asked me to recheck the wiring.
I doubt that I have a bad connection but I plan to take it apart tonight to double - check. Also find it suspicious I got 2 bad modules (all 4 are new)
I'll post updates and pics - I haven't had a chance to see them at night yet
[Quick edit]
I got around to testing them last night and by golly they are niiiice! The Depos have nothing on these! Granted, the OEMs are an option at a very steep premium.
I did notice that when I start the car, sometimes the lights dance and sometimes they don't - not sure if they're supposed to do their dance every time or if this is due to the error code I have.
Here's some pics
ILS car off
ILS DRL's
ILS low beams
Last edited by EuroDriverSD; 02-04-2020 at 11:53 AM.
#120
Member
Quick update on my OEM retrofit
I finally installed the headlights and had the car coded this morning (the coding tech is in Germany and with the 9 hour difference, I had to get up at 4am to do it - sigh).
The good news is the that the lights work - everything seems to be operational. I have dancing movement at startup, auto on at dusk, low beams, high beams, turn signals, etc. The bad news is that I have a "active headlamps inoperative" message in the cluster. Tech said there is a problem with both the left and right led modules. He asked me to recheck the wiring.
I doubt that I have a bad connection but I plan to take it apart tonight to double - check. Also find it suspicious I got 2 bad modules (all 4 are new)
I'll post updates and pics - I haven't had a chance to see them at night yet
I finally installed the headlights and had the car coded this morning (the coding tech is in Germany and with the 9 hour difference, I had to get up at 4am to do it - sigh).
The good news is the that the lights work - everything seems to be operational. I have dancing movement at startup, auto on at dusk, low beams, high beams, turn signals, etc. The bad news is that I have a "active headlamps inoperative" message in the cluster. Tech said there is a problem with both the left and right led modules. He asked me to recheck the wiring.
I doubt that I have a bad connection but I plan to take it apart tonight to double - check. Also find it suspicious I got 2 bad modules (all 4 are new)
I'll post updates and pics - I haven't had a chance to see them at night yet
#121
Super Member
#122
Member
That being said,make sure you don't have a connector or plug turned upside down and be sure all of your grounds are good. These systems depend on good grounding
Good luck with the job, I hope you get it sorted out
#123
Super Member
I'd like to be able to help you ,but it is almost impossible without actually seeing what has been done.What the wiring looks like and being able to put a meter on a few things.
That being said,make sure you don't have a connector or plug turned upside down and be sure all of your grounds are good. These systems depend on good grounding
Good luck with the job, I hope you get it sorted out
That being said,make sure you don't have a connector or plug turned upside down and be sure all of your grounds are good. These systems depend on good grounding
Good luck with the job, I hope you get it sorted out
#124
MBWorld Fanatic!
What do you mean by sometimes they dance and sometimes not? Mine do the calibration movement on every start unless, for example, I were to start the car then turn it off then start it back again. In that case it does not do a second calibration.
You saying that yours do not calibrate even after the car has sat overnight? If so something is not right.
You saying that yours do not calibrate even after the car has sat overnight? If so something is not right.
#125
Member
Quick update on my OEM retrofit
I finally installed the headlights and had the car coded this morning (the coding tech is in Germany and with the 9 hour difference, I had to get up at 4am to do it - sigh).
The good news is the that the lights work - everything seems to be operational. I have dancing movement at startup, auto on at dusk, low beams, high beams, turn signals, etc. The bad news is that I have a "active headlamps inoperative" message in the cluster. Tech said there is a problem with both the left and right led modules. He asked me to recheck the wiring.
I doubt that I have a bad connection but I plan to take it apart tonight to double - check. Also find it suspicious I got 2 bad modules (all 4 are new)
I'll post updates and pics - I haven't had a chance to see them at night yet
[Quick edit]
I got around to testing them last night and by golly they are niiiice! The Depos have nothing on these! Granted, the OEMs are an option at a very steep premium.
I did notice that when I start the car, sometimes the lights dance and sometimes they don't - not sure if they're supposed to do their dance every time or if this is due to the error code I have.
Here's some pics
ILS car off
ILS DRL's
ILS low beams
I finally installed the headlights and had the car coded this morning (the coding tech is in Germany and with the 9 hour difference, I had to get up at 4am to do it - sigh).
The good news is the that the lights work - everything seems to be operational. I have dancing movement at startup, auto on at dusk, low beams, high beams, turn signals, etc. The bad news is that I have a "active headlamps inoperative" message in the cluster. Tech said there is a problem with both the left and right led modules. He asked me to recheck the wiring.
I doubt that I have a bad connection but I plan to take it apart tonight to double - check. Also find it suspicious I got 2 bad modules (all 4 are new)
I'll post updates and pics - I haven't had a chance to see them at night yet
[Quick edit]
I got around to testing them last night and by golly they are niiiice! The Depos have nothing on these! Granted, the OEMs are an option at a very steep premium.
I did notice that when I start the car, sometimes the lights dance and sometimes they don't - not sure if they're supposed to do their dance every time or if this is due to the error code I have.
Here's some pics
ILS car off
ILS DRL's
ILS low beams