When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have an issue with the right headlight on my 2012 E350. When dimming the lights, the right side shutter will slowly come down in several steps instead of lowering instant. Going to bright, it will change properly. Also, the bulb will go out after this occurs several times. And on one occasion while on bright, the shutter lowered to dim. Has anyone else had this issue? The parts diagram only shows part number for a control unit inside the housing, and no other parts except bulbs and screws. I have changed the bulb hoping that had something to do with it, but no change. I hate to purchase the control unit and not fix the issue, but also hate to purchase the light assembly when I don't have to. Attached are the readouts from my Star diagnosis. Anyone else ever had this issue?
There was a thread about the flap getting stuck after the pins it rotated on wore, I remember seeing a video were the guy disassembled the headlight housing and modified the flap to not get stuck? I might check this function first to see if this is it before buying a new control unit, if the flap moves freely, it may be the control unit.
Not such an easy fix. To take the unit out, you have to remove the front bumper. And the list price of a new one from Mercedes is $2000. Part only.....
pierrejoliat, thanks for the info. Could you provide a link to the mentioned video? Thank You,
Yes, I will search, it's here on MB World somewhere, I have-not had to remove a headlight from a 212 yet, but my last 220 and 221 I did, both required bumper removal but I did both without removing the bumper, on both I was told to have the bumper warm, so I pointed the torpedo at it from a safe distance until it was very warm to the touch pulled the inside edge out after removing the fastener and slid the headlight out, I was panicked when I did this the first time on the 220 but I just did it on the 221 without worrying because it worked so well on the 220. I don't know if this is possible on the 212, but with some searching on this sight, you will find an answer.
Also, the guy in the video removed the headlight, then carefully cut the glue edge holding the bezel on, modified the flap with a die grinder until it stopped catching or "hanging up" then glued the bezel back on being careful to reseal it very well, cost him 8 dollars for the glue! {and I'm sure some time} saved him 1-2K. The video was a 212 car, and if I remember correctly the bumper cover was still on the car in the video. I have heard it's easy to remove just 12 bolts or something, both wheel wells and the first underbody cover.
Last edited by pierrejoliat; 12-09-2020 at 07:11 PM.
12-06-2020, 10:32 PM
