Blinking DRL issue
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 629
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
Blinking DRL issue
The driver's side DRL has been blinking on and off and now I'm getting the DRL malfunction warning in the dash. Based on its behavior, it seems like there is a weak connection or something. Has anybody else had this problem? If so, what did you do to fix it?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 356
Likes: 66
2012 ML350 Bluetec, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
It's likely the LED DRL is defective. Weak connection is not likely. You can simply try to swap the left and right ones see if the problem migrates. The two DRL are not physically interchangeable but the electrical connectors are the same so you can hang them there to test.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 629
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
It's likely the LED DRL is defective. Weak connection is not likely. You can simply try to swap the left and right ones see if the problem migrates. The two DRL are not physically interchangeable but the electrical connectors are the same so you can hang them there to test.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 356
Likes: 66
2012 ML350 Bluetec, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
I guess the "ballast" you are talking about is the LED diodes? That's definitely possible. The LED DRL is simply a small circuit board with the LEDs, some resistors and diodes that's it. Any component on the board goes bad it will not work properly. Flickering problem is usually caused by a defective LED diode. If you are electronically handy you can crack open the LED DRL case, get the board out and test which component is bad and get it replaced with a new component (requires soldering skill on electronic). I have done this before and it's not too difficult but you will need to source the LED diodes. They are not cheap either so it would probably make more sense to find one from junkyard.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 629
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
I guess the "ballast" you are talking about is the LED diodes? That's definitely possible. The LED DRL is simply a small circuit board with the LEDs, some resistors and diodes that's it. Any component on the board goes bad it will not work properly. Flickering problem is usually caused by a defective LED diode. If you are electronically handy you can crack open the LED DRL case, get the board out and test which component is bad and get it replaced with a new component (requires soldering skill on electronic). I have done this before and it's not too difficult but you will need to source the LED diodes. They are not cheap either so it would probably make more sense to find one from junkyard.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 356
Likes: 66
2012 ML350 Bluetec, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
Correct. The installation is very easy just pry the black cover behind the light out from the bumper and then you can unclip the light from the cover. The only tool required would be a long wedge (or a flat head screwdriver with some cloth to prevent chipping the paint).
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 629
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
Correct. The installation is very easy just pry the black cover behind the light out from the bumper and then you can unclip the light from the cover. The only tool required would be a long wedge (or a flat head screwdriver with some cloth to prevent chipping the paint).
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 356
Likes: 66
2012 ML350 Bluetec, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
Last edited by geniushanbiao; Apr 21, 2020 at 07:09 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 629
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 629
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
Is there some sort of trick to getting that chrome cover off? I've pushed that wedge up there from the bottom in the spot it shows on the diagram, twisted and turned it, yet it still won't pop off. It seems like it is only attached/clipped at the top while the bottom area does not seem to have any clips.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 356
Likes: 66
2012 ML350 Bluetec, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
Is there some sort of trick to getting that chrome cover off? I've pushed that wedge up there from the bottom in the spot it shows on the diagram, twisted and turned it, yet it still won't pop off. It seems like it is only attached/clipped at the top while the bottom area does not seem to have any clips.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 629
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
I've never worked on this model as I never had such vehicle but usually a universal trick for those plastic is to heat it up with a hair dryer so those plastic parts would become soft, that will make it easier to pop. Don't work on it when it's cold. The plastic are more brittle when it's cold. Be careful don't heat too much as you can damage the plastic parts. Apply pressure with the wedge and use the other hand to wiggle the cover it should not be difficult to make it come loose. Also you may try to use some lubricant but test it on the paint first to ensure it doesn't cause damage to the painted surface.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 629
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
JB Weld took care of the broken clip on the side that was broken. The new DRL went in in less than 5 minutes and works perfectly! Thanks for your help genius. It saved me over $250 from what the dealer wanted to do the job.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 356
Likes: 66
2012 ML350 Bluetec, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
