Static LED Headlamp Cooling Fan Failure
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Joined: Mar 2018
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2014 E350 4Matic Sedan w212
Static LED Headlamp Cooling Fan Failure
My car: 2014 E350 4Matic sedan. W212 with 100k miles.
I’ve noticed an ever increasing noise from under the hood while driving and for a few minutes after shutting down. The noise has been steadily getting louder to the point that it is noticeable from inside the car while driving. It is a high pitched whine that continues for a few minutes after the car is off. I finally found the source of the noise to be a fan mounted on the back of the headlight assembly. Apparently it is a cooling fan for the static LED headlights. No alert messages but I think it’s headed for catastrophic failure. I have an appointment with the dealer to diagnose and repair the problem. My questions are:
I’ve noticed an ever increasing noise from under the hood while driving and for a few minutes after shutting down. The noise has been steadily getting louder to the point that it is noticeable from inside the car while driving. It is a high pitched whine that continues for a few minutes after the car is off. I finally found the source of the noise to be a fan mounted on the back of the headlight assembly. Apparently it is a cooling fan for the static LED headlights. No alert messages but I think it’s headed for catastrophic failure. I have an appointment with the dealer to diagnose and repair the problem. My questions are:
- Has anyone else had this problem?
- can the fan be replaced or does the entire headlamp assembly need to be replaced?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 6,776
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
My car: 2014 E350 4Matic sedan. W212 with 100k miles.
I’ve noticed an ever increasing noise from under the hood while driving and for a few minutes after shutting down. The noise has been steadily getting louder to the point that it is noticeable from inside the car while driving. It is a high pitched whine that continues for a few minutes after the car is off. I finally found the source of the noise to be a fan mounted on the back of the headlight assembly. Apparently it is a cooling fan for the static LED headlights.
No alert messages but I think it’s headed for catastrophic failure. I have an appointment with the dealer to diagnose and repair the problem. My questions are:
Probably a $3k.Ea. which would be hard to swallow on a car worth maybe $9000!
I’ve noticed an ever increasing noise from under the hood while driving and for a few minutes after shutting down. The noise has been steadily getting louder to the point that it is noticeable from inside the car while driving. It is a high pitched whine that continues for a few minutes after the car is off. I finally found the source of the noise to be a fan mounted on the back of the headlight assembly. Apparently it is a cooling fan for the static LED headlights.
No alert messages but I think it’s headed for catastrophic failure. I have an appointment with the dealer to diagnose and repair the problem. My questions are:
- Has anyone else had this problem?
- can the fan be replaced or does the entire headlamp assembly need to be replaced?
Probably a $3k.Ea. which would be hard to swallow on a car worth maybe $9000!
They are the okay "ball-bearing" grade but the high engine heat keeps them spinning fast with hot engine bay...
You may be able to source the $20 replacement blowers instead of whole $$$$ headlights. This is not a common repair.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10
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2014 E350 4Matic Sedan w212
Update
I took the car to the local Mercedes dealer and was informed that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. Total repair quote was $3,450! I also called my local non-dealer repair shop. They gave me almost the exact same quote.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 538
Likes: 89
From: Hollywood, CA
W209, W124
Crazy.
Can you downgrade to Halogen?
Or look on Ebay for the LEDs.
I swapped my whole house to LEDs around 2014-16. Saved a fortune as they are all still working, crazy reliable and long life.
Might even be able to find a whole car on COPART for $3,500
Can you downgrade to Halogen?
Or look on Ebay for the LEDs.
I swapped my whole house to LEDs around 2014-16. Saved a fortune as they are all still working, crazy reliable and long life.
Might even be able to find a whole car on COPART for $3,500
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 6,547
From: Jakarta-Indonesia
2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
I thought that is the dynamic version price range.
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2014 E350 4Matic Sedan w212
I paid the repair price of $3,400 and will be picking up tomorrow. The invoice indicates the headlight assembly is $2,600 and is the bulk of the repair cost. I am wondering if there is any kind of appeal process with MB knowing that the LED headlight cooling fan should last the life of the vehicle and it is unheard of for this part to fail. It is obviously a manufacture defect.
