johnfranciscog

My wife was driving and was lightly hit on the front drivers side of my 2011 E350 Wagon a couple weeks ago by another vehicle, which sheered off the sidemarker assembly. I replaced the sidemarker and bulb, but now the driver side Xenon will "stage" when turned on, then turn off a few moments later. Does this sounds like a xenon lighting module issue? The bulb is definitely good as it does turn on momentarily, but I'm wondering if water intrusion through the sidemarker hole is causing the module to have issue. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I wanted to add that the fact that the factory installed xenon bulb is still working 12 years later is simply amazing to me. Good job OSRAM or Sylvania or whomever made the bulb!

cetialpha5

Xenon bulbs last much longer than regular halogen bulbs. They do dim with time though so a new set would be brighter. Still I have the original bulbs in both cars and haven't gotten around to replacing them. My guess is that if one goes off and on, then it's probably either the ballast or the bulb. Normally you would switch bulbs from one side to the other to see if it's the ballast or the bulb. I suppose the hit could have loosed some wires/connections but you normally get a lot of movement just from driving around.

pierrejoliat

I would add if it is the bulb, you will want to replace both, as the 12 year old one will not be as bright and you will notice looking at them. Maybe put in the bulb and see, checking all wiring connections on the way?

srb1985

Are you getting an error message on your dash? Could be the high beam shutter which is a big job to fix but it can be done. If you hear a clicking sound or binding, it's most likely the shutter.

pierrejoliat

I believe the OP is saying the bulb goes out after a few minutes, this would most likely be the ballast, if the shutter was malfunctioning, you would still have light, just no high beam, no low beam or something inbrtween base d on where the shutter stopped. normally it stops all the way down, so low beam only.

johnfranciscog

I was in an accident (not my fault) about a year ago and the entire headlamp assembly on the passenger side was replaced.

johnfranciscog

That's the strange thing there isn't a warning on the dash saying any light is out. The drivers sidemarker was destroyed and there was a warning for that until I replaced it, but no low beam warning.