Mercedes GL450 OEM retrofit to Xenon from Halogen
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GL350
I was looking at this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/07-08-09-10-11-12-mercedes-GL-GL320-GL350-GL450-GL550-xenon-HID-left-headlight-/181211305664?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a310916c0&vxp=mtr
Looks like it only has one ballast?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/07-08-09-10-11-12-mercedes-GL-GL320-GL350-GL450-GL550-xenon-HID-left-headlight-/181211305664?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a310916c0&vxp=mtr
Looks like it only has one ballast?
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I think these are the same headlamps. The one I showed is in Euro style. The one you showed is regular (you have orange sides). Electrically they should be the same. One control unit. Perhaps because of styling the part numbers are different. I am working on retrofit for the model 2007-2012 (maybe up to 2010), not sure if cars after 2010 are very different in here.
Last edited by vladc77; Sep 25, 2013 at 07:39 PM.
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I am not sure. I know the ML headlamps a little bit different but may electrically be the same. I am not positive on it. It is a risk. I found DIY for ML series but not sure if it will fully help.
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GL350
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Mercedes Benz, BMW
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Mercedes Benz, BMW
I just wanted to share with the status on Xenon retrofit.
I FINALLY did it. I installed the set of Bi-Xenon OEM headlamps, did wiring and programmed the car. Now, it is working pretty well. I was surprised that Xenon will work even without programming with no flickering on my machine but will not do any leveling. After reprogramming, the units work with leveling. I can control all level and motor actuations through MB Star diagnostic tool for testings.
I will test more to make sure everything is working properly. Actually, the work is not that hard. I am glad I did not go with HID kit instead.
I FINALLY did it. I installed the set of Bi-Xenon OEM headlamps, did wiring and programmed the car. Now, it is working pretty well. I was surprised that Xenon will work even without programming with no flickering on my machine but will not do any leveling. After reprogramming, the units work with leveling. I can control all level and motor actuations through MB Star diagnostic tool for testings.
I will test more to make sure everything is working properly. Actually, the work is not that hard. I am glad I did not go with HID kit instead.
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From: Minnesota
2008 GL 320 CDI Black/Black
Ironically last night I pulled my aftermarket HID's that I paid decent money for because they flickered too much, which made the radio have flutter sounds, etc. My HID supplier claimed the headlamps need to 'warm up', I said it happened all summer in every temp! Maybe I got some junk lights, but it was a real pain in the *** to do the retrofit...I liked the lighting when they worked, but they need to WORK! So in went the highest power halogens I could buy. Next vehicle will have them as std equipment... But I am very pleased with my 2008 GL320 with soon 100K miles on it, Knock on wood, the only issue I have had is these stupid lights!
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GL350
So I received my ebay xenon headlamp housings.
I'm pretty sure they have AFS drives in them, but have only one ballast (and are the newer D1s style). I know when Harris was doing his, he claimed that the AFS was dropped at some point.
Or maybe I'm not seeing it right with the motor in the housing.
I'm pretty sure they have AFS drives in them, but have only one ballast (and are the newer D1s style). I know when Harris was doing his, he claimed that the AFS was dropped at some point.
Or maybe I'm not seeing it right with the motor in the housing.
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Below are few leads to anyone who is planning to do this retrofit. I most likely will provide a detailed DIY but the information below is enough too.
1.
I ended up buying the cable harness from KabelDaviko - http://www.kabeldaviko.de/product_in...n-harness.html. Even though, it is possible to buy all parts for this cable harness from dealer but it does not make sense to go this route. You also need to provide Headlamp part number during checkout in order to get the right cable harness.
2.
Cowfunone provides a great DIY for ML series which is really close except programming. You can find it here: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w164...20-cdi-bi.html
FYI,
The light obviously is a huge improvement over what was. I was planning to create some sort of DIY but still trying to overcome a minor issue I am having. As a result, I am waiting until I fix this issue. The issue is while the light switch is in position Low Beam and key is removed from ignition switch then the low beam light is not turned off automatically. I must turn it off by using the light switch. It works well when the light switch is in position Auto. The light goes off as it should be. Everything else seems to work great.
1.
I ended up buying the cable harness from KabelDaviko - http://www.kabeldaviko.de/product_in...n-harness.html. Even though, it is possible to buy all parts for this cable harness from dealer but it does not make sense to go this route. You also need to provide Headlamp part number during checkout in order to get the right cable harness.
2.
Cowfunone provides a great DIY for ML series which is really close except programming. You can find it here: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w164...20-cdi-bi.html
FYI,
The light obviously is a huge improvement over what was. I was planning to create some sort of DIY but still trying to overcome a minor issue I am having. As a result, I am waiting until I fix this issue. The issue is while the light switch is in position Low Beam and key is removed from ignition switch then the low beam light is not turned off automatically. I must turn it off by using the light switch. It works well when the light switch is in position Auto. The light goes off as it should be. Everything else seems to work great.
Last edited by vladc77; Oct 31, 2013 at 01:55 PM.
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Gl450
first, thanks for good info on conversion, will be doing soon.
and if you dont mind me asking, what kind of star tool or program tool did you use to program the lights to work? is this something i can buy?
and if you dont mind me asking, what kind of star tool or program tool did you use to program the lights to work? is this something i can buy?
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Gl450
was also wondering if it matters with either xenon or bi-xenon, and having the leveling system. its all based in the headlight assb right? i do have the lighting package but no xenon. all these headlights seem to fit 2007 gl450's, some are single xenon's, some double, so with and without als.
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Last edited by vladc77; Jul 10, 2014 at 04:07 PM.
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Mercedes Benz, BMW
It is a personal decision. For me, it is important to have it. It cost me around $400 plus some time setting the system up (not easy process). You will need to have a designated laptop for it with Windows XP on it. It is definitely good to have (must for me), pays off after few times of use. I don't want to depend on dealer plus I figured they are, in most cases, not the best experts anyway. Of course, some of them can be but definitely not all. In addition, they even don't have access to Developer Mode. So, it is up to you, but if you decide to have it then you will need to spend some time figuring out how to use it.
In case if you only want to re-code the car for Xenon retrofit, you don't really need to buy it. You can do it at dealer. I just don't have a trust in working with them. The dealer charge like crazy but not necessary provide quality job.
In case if you only want to re-code the car for Xenon retrofit, you don't really need to buy it. You can do it at dealer. I just don't have a trust in working with them. The dealer charge like crazy but not necessary provide quality job.
Last edited by vladc77; Nov 6, 2013 at 07:20 PM.
