rutgeur

Hey all,

I'm new here.
I've been owning my 2016 E300 W212 for about 6 months now and decided to join this forum.

I've got a question about a headlight issue:
Last night, the "Intell Light System inoporative" messaged showed up on my dashboard.
I noticed that my left headlight is also stuck on high beam mode now.

What could be the issue? And how can I fix it?

Thanks!

MJ50

moved to W212 forum...

rutgeur

Thanks for moving my post @MJ50

I want to add some more information about my issue for anyone reading this:

- I have wiped down all the sensors/cameras to make sure they are clean.
- I have replaced fuse number 75 (20A) in the trunk (N10/2 Rear SAM Control Unit).

I have recorded a video of the right headlight reacting fine when going from low beam to high beam.
You can see that the left headlight does not respond as it should. It seems like some kind of shutter is not operating.

rapidoxidation

Step one: Read the codes associated with the issue.
Step before 1 can happen: Get a decent scanner for the car.

rutgeur

Thanks @rapidoxidation , I've ordered a scanner and it should arrive tomorrow.

In case this scanner doesn't provide me with the info I need.
Do you have a decent scanner you recommend?

S-Prihadi

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...onal-more.html

rapidoxidation

I like my Launch X431V+ scanner. It wasn't cheap but it has done everything I've needed it to do on all my cars. Being able to have a two way conversation with the car's systems is invaluable for owning these cars. The $1,000 price of a good scanner is quickly recuperated in not going to the dealer or other mechanic each time there's a problem.

cetialpha5

There's all different price points, even something as cheap as the Autel AP200 will be fine. No screen so it's cheaper but Autel also makes high end stuff too, the AP200 I think is based off the 808 which is a lot more. The difference is that the Ap200 is limited to one car line instead of the higher end stuff which works on all car lines. Perfect for the DIY, not so good if you're a shop.

CaliBenzDriver

The "one-eye jack" condition named by @S-Prihadi is a sort of headlights limp-mode...
Both sides lights work in tandem through networking.

Is this a daily-driver or a secondary car ?

I believe you'll find one of the HL module got swamped through its non-waterproof connector. The fix requires coding a priceless replacement unit.

Ultimately you need to RTV-silicone all these amazing connectors exposed before couple drops of water drain your savings.

Fortunately for MB /unfortunately for owners the 3rd party modules are made super vulnerable. They are not weatherized with basic conformal coating and circuits boards are built with ultra narrow gaps to help develop oxidation.

Once you understand the game, it's easier to enjoy at face value. These are great cars!

S-Prihadi

AP200 can't do bidirectional control. It is not worth its low cost.

cetialpha5

What do you use that function for?

S-Prihadi

RutGeur,

When first headlight gets powered up , it will do the aiming up and down, will the left do that ?
Is this a Code 632 static LED headlight or the code 642 Dynamic LED ILS ?

S-Prihadi

I explained here, post #3
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post8813389

rutgeur

@CaliBenzDriver this is my daily driver.

I live in the United Arab Emirates so there's almost no rain here. I did drive through a puddle a few days ago and it's always mega dusty out here.

You mentioned the fix requires "coding a priceless replacement unit". What exactly does that entail?

rutgeur

@S-Prihadi when the car starts (and the headlights get powered up), the right one dances as it should, the left one doesn't do anything.

I am not sure what code it is. How can I check this?

I just purchased an useless OBD scanner. It wasn't able to read the error code.
The OBD scanner I tried is the: Creader 3001 (https://www.amazon.ae/dp/B07D1KH9SC?...roduct_details)

I saw you already recommend a scanner. The: LAUNCH Elite Benz.
I will buy that instead. That scanner should allow me to diagnose and recode to in order to fix the issue when needed right?

CaliBenzDriver

-- Good to know you are in a dry country. So it is less likely a moisture issue besides the occasional carwash and road puddles. Advice about silicone sealant still stand. If it does not seal water, it will seal abrasive dust out.

-- Knowing moisture oxidation is not prime factor, I would then CLEAN your PAINTED GND screws on the car frontend, specifically those located under both side beams. Disconnect battery power while doing so.

-- If clean GND does not restore joy, your front bumper assembly will need to come off to access your HL...

+++++ Solderless HL??
I am not 100% positive the LED Modules are built with easily repairable loose-pins.
Let's see ~

++++ dusty air + LED fan = limited life??
Many of us complain about the crazy LED FAN that run in the morning to cool perfectly cold LED.... so we know each HL has a cooling fan.

Imagine what fine desert dust can do to these air circulation fans... Do they use any sort of filtration ?

S-Prihadi

Use any MB VIN decoder and you will get a datacard.
https://www.vindecoderz.com

Example my car Data Card, one from MB original software and one from available VIN decoder on the internet.
You will see code 641 DYNAMIC LED HEADLAMPS, LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
Your car is Left Hand Drive or Right hand traffic, it will be 642 , assuming you have dynamic LED.

OP wrote : That scanner should allow me to diagnose and recode to in order to fix the issue when needed right

This scanner is Benz only car, hence low cost but is VERY powerful.
If you have other cars and want a scanner to do more cars, you can get Launch CRP919E
I just got this one too yesterday for a friend.

Fixing issue with your headlight is not a scanner job. A scanner job is to tell you what is wrong and you can do actuation test ( bi-directional ) test to see roughly at which part of the light system is not functioning.
Scanner is not a magic pill, but a tool and a must have tool to save time and see data you can't see with a digital meter.
True fixing a component, is by replacing defective one with a new good one.

rutgeur

Ok, understood. I will probably get the more expensive one you recommended because I plan on swapping this Benz for another brand vehicle in the upcoming year. Thanks for the recommendation.

I checked the VIN and my car is equipped with the:
642 DYNAMIC LED HEADLAMPS, RIGHT-HAND TRAFFIC

Just FYI, I was close to the garage where I usually get my car serviced. Popped in and ask them to diagnose the issue. They said they can diagnose it in 1h so I’ll revert back here with the findings.

rutgeur

After running diagnostics the garage told me that I need a controle unit on the left headlight replaced. Once replaced, some recoding also needs to be done.

The weirdest thing just happened though. I parked the car out in the 40C (104F) degree sun this morning and after starting it up, the error was gone.
I drove in a parking garage after to test the lighting and everything seems to work fine again.

I am guessing it must have been water from that puddle I drove through a few days ago and that condensation must have evaporated by the heat.
I will be informing the garage a replacement of the controle unit is currently no longer needed.

S-Prihadi

Lucky you.............

ADD : if you car under carriage protection plastic is all there and the front wheel well fender all good, no puddle can spray water to the headlight.
Unless it is a very deep 30-40cm high water pool, the radiator fan then will splatter water all over the engine bay

Front spraying the headlight is no issue, backside of light is where it has risk

rutgeur

Yesterday, another issue appeared on my car. The battery was leaking. This triggered the car not to start. It turns out the car had a cheap battery in there so I replaced it with the proper one: Original AGM Varta Germany 12v 80AH.
She's running great now.

I was wondering, could that crappy battery be the cause of the "Intell Light System inoporative" message I was getting 2 weeks ago?

CaliBenzDriver

Yes, abnormal voltage helps brake down marginal communication between more than 40 modules.

A good AGM battery and alternator output is going to work wonders to run more reliably.

In the UAE, there is an legendary MB expert from Greece. His name is Tasos, he works on all MB cars, often the C63 TT -
Go say hi to him, post a pic!!
✌️