Left headlamp out
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Wichita Falls, Texas
08 S550 Base, 01 BMW 325ci Conv Dinan 01 BMW 530i Sport 70 240Z 1949 Plymouth P-17 99 Z3 M Coupe
Left headlamp out
Tried two new bulb assemblies, no luck. Does any one know where I could get fuse identifiers along with locations? Our Benzs are not labeled!!
Thank you. 2001 S430 Sport
Thank you. 2001 S430 Sport
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 9
From: Covington, WA
'96 SL600, '05 S55 AMG, '06 C230
I know this sounds weird, but turn on the headlights and open the hood. If the left headlight comes on, replace the passenger side SAM unit. I had this exact problem. I can't make this crap up!
Cheers,
Jeff
Cheers,
Jeff
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
2000 Mercedes S430
I currently have the same issue. I turn on the headlights and the driver side headlight and the passenger side turn signal doesn't work. Once I pop the hood, the lights turn on. I removed the hood latch sensor and zip tied it to the frame. This way I could drive with working lights, but the annoying "open hood" warning light pops up when you start moving. You say to remove the Passenger side SAM, is this the one under the hood or under the rear passenger seat. Also would I have other issues besides the headlight if the SAM was faulty? Any way to test a SAM? Sorry for the questions, but I've been having so many issues with this car. I've been working on it almost everyday for a month.
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 9
From: Covington, WA
'96 SL600, '05 S55 AMG, '06 C230
I currently have the same issue. I turn on the headlights and the driver side headlight and the passenger side turn signal doesn't work. Once I pop the hood, the lights turn on. I removed the hood latch sensor and zip tied it to the frame. This way I could drive with working lights, but the annoying "open hood" warning light pops up when you start moving. You say to remove the Passenger side SAM, is this the one under the hood or under the rear passenger seat. Also would I have other issues besides the headlight if the SAM was faulty? Any way to test a SAM? Sorry for the questions, but I've been having so many issues with this car. I've been working on it almost everyday for a month.
Cheers,
Jeff
Last edited by MB-Dude; Sep 21, 2013 at 10:06 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 9
From: Covington, WA
'96 SL600, '05 S55 AMG, '06 C230
Cheers,
Jeff
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
2000 Mercedes S430
Thanks Jeff. just to be sure, the passenger side SAM is defective since my driver side light goes out? Or is the driver side SAM defective since the hood latch is on the passenger side? Are the front SAMs interchangeable? Do the front two SAMs have the same part number? Thanks in advance.
Last edited by Mrmojo78; Sep 22, 2013 at 08:59 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 9
From: Covington, WA
'96 SL600, '05 S55 AMG, '06 C230
Thanks Jeff. just to be sure, the passenger side SAM is defective since my driver side light goes out? Or is the driver side SAM defective since the hood latch is on the passenger side? Are the front SAMs interchangeable? Do the front two SAMs have the same part number? Thanks in advance.
The hood latch silliness comes into play not through the warning switch itself, but through the anti-theft circuitry... which is also in the passenger-side SAM. [Surprise, surprise.] The anti-theft alarm activates if the hood is detected open while the car is locked.
To my knowledge, the SAM units are not interchangeable and they have different part numbers.
The swap-out is simple, though be careful as the electrical box is crowded and cramped with bunches of cables and connectors. Work slowly but steadily to ensure you do not inadvertently disconnect another connector.
Cheers,
Jeff
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
2000 Mercedes S430
Yes - The left headlamp is controlled by the passenger-side SAM. I know it seems counter-intuitive, but that's the way they're wired. (For reference, the RH headlamp is controlled by the driver-side SAM.)
The hood latch silliness comes into play not through the warning switch itself, but through the anti-theft circuitry... which is also in the passenger-side SAM. [Surprise, surprise.] The anti-theft alarm activates if the hood is detected open while the car is locked.
To my knowledge, the SAM units are not interchangeable and they have different part numbers.
The swap-out is simple, though be careful as the electrical box is crowded and cramped with bunches of cables and connectors. Work slowly but steadily to ensure you do not inadvertently disconnect another connector.
Cheers,
Jeff
The hood latch silliness comes into play not through the warning switch itself, but through the anti-theft circuitry... which is also in the passenger-side SAM. [Surprise, surprise.] The anti-theft alarm activates if the hood is detected open while the car is locked.
To my knowledge, the SAM units are not interchangeable and they have different part numbers.
The swap-out is simple, though be careful as the electrical box is crowded and cramped with bunches of cables and connectors. Work slowly but steadily to ensure you do not inadvertently disconnect another connector.
Cheers,
Jeff
