Shak59

I have the factory lighting package with Xenon headlights on my GLK. I'm trying to figure out if the high beam is a separate bulb and if its Xenon or not?

I think it is Xenon because they call it Bi-Xenon so I think that means high beam and low bean Xenon, but I want to be sure.

If they are both in the outer most "circle" headlamp. Then what is the inner headlamp that looks like a regular bulb?

NYCGLK

you are correct, inside bulbs are just parking light on GLK with xenons.

Shak59

Thanks for the confirmation.

So in the upper part of the headlamp, where there is the amber turn signal. Is it just one light up there or two?

NYCGLK

two

Shak59

ok thanks. That matches what the book says. But when I was looking at it I couldn't tell if there were one or two.

Do they each have a different purpose? Like one is on all the time and the other only when turning? Or do they both blink?

I want to change mine to Xenon white and get the dual amber/xenon white ones so they are still legal. But trying to figure out if I need to change one of the upper ones or both.

Thanks for your help.

MBRedux

The Xenon headlights are so superior than the std. system.

Shak59

Yeah, I have the lighting package and love it! I'm trying to change out the amber bulbs in the headlamps, but not sure if I need to change one or two??

NYCGLK

There is parking light (small 5W bulb?) and then further in there is a blinker bulb. When lights are on small ones stay on. When blinker blinks small one blinks too. Many on the forum switched out the small amber for white LEDs. Should be still legal as blinker will still be amber unless you change that one out too.

Hope this helps

MKenM

I don't know why they didn't make the inner bulb the DTR lights?

NYCGLK

I don't know why they didn't put LED DRLs from the start

Shak59

Ahh okay, this makes more sense now. appreciate the info.

So the parking light that is always on is the outer one, and I'm assuming that is what lights up the amber reflector on the side of the headlamp. I wonder if it looks ugly with white LEDs in the parking lights but reflecting through the amber reflector??

Shak59

found this link
http://ijdmtoy.com/BLOG/wordpress/20...arking-lights/

gsrjc

are the bulbs easy to change?

n5160u

Actually in the USA the FMVSS 108 allows White or Amber for turn signals but requires Amber for both the front side marker lights and the reflectors.

NYCGLK

This applies to cars in OEM form. You have to comply with state laws.

So just because Fed. law says you can have something doesn't mean you can. State law might say something else.

But in the end it all really depends on the cops in the area. I've had tinted plate covers that can be considered illegal...and nobody cares.

NYCGLK

lol look in the manual...looks pretty easy

AsianML

In bi-xenon equipped GLKs, the inner bulb should be the flash-to-pass highbeam for when the headlights are off, iirc. When the headlights are on, the main bulb serves both functions as mentioned previously.

NYCGLK

99% sure, xenon comes on when you flash with headlight off. The inner lights have small bubls not strong enough for flashing.

Shak59

Okay, I can't believe I am still confused about this. I know this topic has been discussed before, but I can't find this answer on here. Here is my dilemma:

The upper portion of the headlamp has an inner bulb which is turn signal only (normally off), the outer bulb on the top is a parkign light and turn signal (normally on, and blinks when turning).

So in order to stay legal I need an amber flash. I don't need to change the turn signal only bulb bc it is normally off and blinks amber already.

For the parking & turn signal in one light I would need a dual color switchback light, but they don't make it in the wedge size.

So for people who have changed this before I'm guessing you end up with one of the scenarios:
-Blinking amber & blinking white
-Both blinking white

I don't know how you could blink amber and still have all white showing when driving???

NYCGLK

I think most here would have amber&white combo that you mentioned.

However, there are dual colored LEDs, in which case your small amber light whould stay white and blink amber, but I have no idea how that woks. Just saw that such things exsit.

Shak59

I wonder if amber + white both blinking would look off? In addition, I wonder if cops would still be annoying since there is xenon white blinking.

I did see the dual color "switchback" lights as you mention, but they don't make them in the "wedge" w5w/194 size which would be needed in this scenario.

They only make them in the regular sized turn signal.

NYCGLK

Nah

Oh yea that's right.

I was thinking it would be cool to rewire blinker the same way as the 5w5 maker, so it stays on in white (like on C class) and then blinks in amber. Too bad i'm not car electrician. Concept sounds so simple, but by looking at the headlights and the housing...looks impossible.

rmfnla

Don't rub it in; the only thing I regret about my GLK is not holding out for the Xenon package (didn't want to special-order the car).

MKenM

So is it true what they say about patience being a virtue?

rmfnla

Yes and no.

The other reason I didn't want to order it is I am friends with the dealership's GM. He gave me the car at his true cost and it was easier for him to do this with a car in stock rather than special order.