Dim Xenon Headlights
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Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Texas, USA
M-Class (W164) 2007: ML350 4Matic Gas
Dim Xenon Headlights
Hello,
My xenon headlights are kind of dim. Any suggestions and what may be the reason?
Is it possible to be just because of the age of the bulbs?
Thanks,
Alex
My xenon headlights are kind of dim. Any suggestions and what may be the reason?
Is it possible to be just because of the age of the bulbs?
Thanks,
Alex
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Yes, xenon lamps get dim with age. The other possibility is film on the mirror-like projectors. The igniters either work or they don't.
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From: Texas, USA
M-Class (W164) 2007: ML350 4Matic Gas
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
I'd never say never, but bad ballasts either cause the lamp to not come on at all or be intermittent. And the ignitor is out of the picture once the lamp is on. Dimming is usually the bulb, but a film on the projector (mirror) surface can reduce the output considerably. If you see a white film instead of shiny mirror surface when you shine a flashlight on the projector, it's part of the problem.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 69
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From: Texas, USA
M-Class (W164) 2007: ML350 4Matic Gas
I'd never say never, but bad ballasts either cause the lamp to not come on at all or be intermittent. And the ignitor is out of the picture once the lamp is on. Dimming is usually the bulb, but a film on the projector (mirror) surface can reduce the output considerably. If you see a white film instead of shiny mirror surface when you shine a flashlight on the projector, it's part of the problem.
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Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Texas, USA
M-Class (W164) 2007: ML350 4Matic Gas
The mirror looks good, so I will replace the headlight and see what happens.
I know that the igniters are charging at high voltage in order to turn on the lights. Hence should I just turn off the car and the lights and proceed to replace the bulb or do I need to follow any additional preparation for changing the bulbs?
I know that the igniters are charging at high voltage in order to turn on the lights. Hence should I just turn off the car and the lights and proceed to replace the bulb or do I need to follow any additional preparation for changing the bulbs?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
The mirror looks good, so I will replace the headlight and see what happens.
I know that the igniters are charging at high voltage in order to turn on the lights. Hence should I just turn off the car and the lights and proceed to replace the bulb or do I need to follow any additional preparation for changing the bulbs?
I know that the igniters are charging at high voltage in order to turn on the lights. Hence should I just turn off the car and the lights and proceed to replace the bulb or do I need to follow any additional preparation for changing the bulbs?
https://www.youcanic.com/wiki/replac...headlight-bulb
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MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
Degredation of bulb. Typically around 8-10 year mark depending on level of usage. We can help you out with replacement if interested. We carry OEM level performance Morimoto bulbs or if you want to really step up the lux... Osram CBB/CBH/CBI and Philips 85415 HID bulbs.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Texas, USA
M-Class (W164) 2007: ML350 4Matic Gas
You need to wait for them to discharge. There are tutorials out there, like this one:
https://www.youcanic.com/wiki/replac...headlight-bulb
https://www.youcanic.com/wiki/replac...headlight-bulb
SPONSOR/MBworld Guru
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From: California
MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
You can try wrapping them in electrical tape to safeguard them somewhat. Eventually you'll want to get it replaced, but that'll give you a short term bandage.
We're out of California. Here's our D1S bulb offering: D1S bulbs
We're out of California. Here's our D1S bulb offering: D1S bulbs
Thread Starter
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From: Texas, USA
M-Class (W164) 2007: ML350 4Matic Gas
Also these xenon headlights auto-adjust. However I feel that they dont point high enough, is there any way to manually adjust how high they are pointing?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 69
Likes: 8
From: Texas, USA
M-Class (W164) 2007: ML350 4Matic Gas
You need to wait for them to discharge. There are tutorials out there, like this one:
https://www.youcanic.com/wiki/replac...headlight-bulb
https://www.youcanic.com/wiki/replac...headlight-bulb
This happens on both the left and right bulbs. Any suggestions?
