Active Headlights -'04 E Class
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Westchester County, NY
2013 E 350, 2012 GLK 350, 2012 C300 4matic
Active Headlights -'04 E Class
There has been some significant discussion (on the E55 board) regarding whether or not someone has active headlights. I wonder if someone with MB technical expertise can finally answer the question - how can you tell ?
I have an '04 E55 Sept build with the lighting package - I believe my headlights are active - is there a surefire way to know ?
Thanks
I have an '04 E55 Sept build with the lighting package - I believe my headlights are active - is there a surefire way to know ?
Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 490
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From: Canada
05 CLK 500 cab
I don't know, but you should be able to look into the headlight area to find out. "Active" lights should have wiring additional to the bulb wires. The extra wires connect at at the headlamp end to a pulse motor that adjusts the lamps in response to changes in chassis attitude. At the other end is typically a set of Hall effect sensors on the sway bars and/or chassis. With the semi-active air suspension, I guess the question is: why bother?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 624
Likes: 2
From: Westchester County, NY
2013 E 350, 2012 GLK 350, 2012 C300 4matic
To answer the question "why bother" - because it's nice to exactly know what the vehicle has or doesn't, in addition there's a lot of speculating & mis-information going around.
My window sticker lists the lighting package the only question is at what time was this changed to include the cornering lights on the '04 E55's.
I don't think I could tell by looking at the headlamp wiring without a direct comparison to a bixenon without the cornering. I was hoping for an answer concerning the startup (adjusts up/down, left/right or both, etc.) from an MB tech.
My window sticker lists the lighting package the only question is at what time was this changed to include the cornering lights on the '04 E55's.
I don't think I could tell by looking at the headlamp wiring without a direct comparison to a bixenon without the cornering. I was hoping for an answer concerning the startup (adjusts up/down, left/right or both, etc.) from an MB tech.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally posted by lars
I don't know, but you should be able to look into the headlight area to find out. "Active" lights should have wiring additional to the bulb wires. The extra wires connect at at the headlamp end to a pulse motor that adjusts the lamps in response to changes in chassis attitude. At the other end is typically a set of Hall effect sensors on the sway bars and/or chassis. With the semi-active air suspension, I guess the question is: why bother?
I don't know, but you should be able to look into the headlight area to find out. "Active" lights should have wiring additional to the bulb wires. The extra wires connect at at the headlamp end to a pulse motor that adjusts the lamps in response to changes in chassis attitude. At the other end is typically a set of Hall effect sensors on the sway bars and/or chassis. With the semi-active air suspension, I guess the question is: why bother?
LARS...... I think you need to do some reading on this headlight system.... (search the net under "active headlights")...This system is indeed the future of headlights and will be available on more and more cars as time goes on.... The system not only reacts on steering angle, but also speed of the car... The faster you go into the corners the faster the headlights turn into the corners and visa versa.... The suspension has nothing to do with its funtion. I for one want this feature on my car. The system provides up to 90% more lighting around corners (advertised) and will be very usefull in the very ural, dark and twisty roads my ol lady and I drive on daily...I'm getting ready to go to the dealer today to finalize financing on my new E500 and will find out for sure about this feature and if its indeed on the cars now or not.... This feature and the 7 speed trany was the reason for waiting for an 04 rather than buying an 03.... I can't see how anyone that has this system would'nt know it....With the 90% greater visability it seems a quick drive at night on some twisties should tell you.... Or perhaps the system isn't all that.....
Last edited by HELL ONA HARLEY; Dec 27, 2003 at 02:02 PM.
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2004 E500
Re: Active Headlights -'04 E Class
Originally posted by Eddie Knopp
There has been some significant discussion (on the E55 board) regarding whether or not someone has active headlights. I wonder if someone with MB technical expertise can finally answer the question - how can you tell ?
I have an '04 E55 Sept build with the lighting package - I believe my headlights are active - is there a surefire way to know ?
Thanks
There has been some significant discussion (on the E55 board) regarding whether or not someone has active headlights. I wonder if someone with MB technical expertise can finally answer the question - how can you tell ?
I have an '04 E55 Sept build with the lighting package - I believe my headlights are active - is there a surefire way to know ?
Thanks
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
Active Headlights -'04 E Class
Originally posted by MadManAboutTown
I have read that you should be able to tell when turning on the headlights, as a side-to-side test is initially conducted (just like the up-and-down test is done for all bi-xenons).
I have read that you should be able to tell when turning on the headlights, as a side-to-side test is initially conducted (just like the up-and-down test is done for all bi-xenons).
