S55 AMG (W220) Bi Xenon Headlights (broke)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
S55 AMG (W220)
S55 AMG (W220) Bi Xenon Headlights (broke)
Not to repeat my other thread, but....New to the forums....New to the Car....hand me down from my Father in Law.
Until a week ago, I only had one headlight assembly that worked. Then a week ago the other turned on, the turned off and hasn't worked since.
No low beam, no high beam, no parking lights, no blinkers......nothing its all broke.
I removed the assemblies to check the bulbs. When I did (of course) the tab catch on the plug broke. Also I noticed that the wiring inside the assembly has alot of exposed wire, the plastic is just falling off.
So should I attempt to de-pin all the connectors inside the assemblies and put new heat shrink on them and then start working on diagnosing a problem or is there an obvious problem that I'm missing.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Until a week ago, I only had one headlight assembly that worked. Then a week ago the other turned on, the turned off and hasn't worked since.
No low beam, no high beam, no parking lights, no blinkers......nothing its all broke.
I removed the assemblies to check the bulbs. When I did (of course) the tab catch on the plug broke. Also I noticed that the wiring inside the assembly has alot of exposed wire, the plastic is just falling off.
So should I attempt to de-pin all the connectors inside the assemblies and put new heat shrink on them and then start working on diagnosing a problem or is there an obvious problem that I'm missing.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
It will be a fussy job, but you can insulate the bare wires using "Liquid Rubber", available at most auto parts stores, Harbor Freight, etc. Comes in a can with a brush on the cap.
You probably need to do some basic trouble-shooting, such as checking the ground/earth connections, etc.
You probably need to do some basic trouble-shooting, such as checking the ground/earth connections, etc.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 282
Likes: 66
From: Virginia Beach
2005 S600 2005 SL600
All those bare wires likely caused a short. If you’re lucky, insulating, and resetting the SAMs will bring them back. But if not, time to scour ebay for a used set. Depot used to make them, but they have been out of stock for a while.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
The material selected for the wire insulation was reportedly "greener" - that is, more ecologically and politically correct - which was VERY important to Mercedes Benz at the time, since the Greens had just taken over the German government.
Sure, you can disconnect and replace the wires, but it won't be easy. Liquid Rubber remains my choice of repair.
Sure, you can disconnect and replace the wires, but it won't be easy. Liquid Rubber remains my choice of repair.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 282
Likes: 66
From: Virginia Beach
2005 S600 2005 SL600
First - AGM batteries work way better than LA for this car, so, I don’t think you’ll like what I have to say.
This isn’t so much an issue from Mercedes as it is from the EU, who mandated that all cars be recyclable, and have only recyclable materials, including, of course, the wiring on your headlights.
The EU mandate was only a couple of years old when your car was built. So, the insulation degradation in wiring hadn’t yet been observed.
Those lights are hot, much hotter than the rest of the engine compartment, increasing the degradation of the wiring.
It is a known issue now, everyone goes through it. The nature of cars when they age. I re-wrapped all of my headlight wiring, when I had them out for a polish. They’re holding up.
This isn’t so much an issue from Mercedes as it is from the EU, who mandated that all cars be recyclable, and have only recyclable materials, including, of course, the wiring on your headlights.
The EU mandate was only a couple of years old when your car was built. So, the insulation degradation in wiring hadn’t yet been observed.
Those lights are hot, much hotter than the rest of the engine compartment, increasing the degradation of the wiring.
It is a known issue now, everyone goes through it. The nature of cars when they age. I re-wrapped all of my headlight wiring, when I had them out for a polish. They’re holding up.
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 533
Likes: 39
From: Northern Hemisphere - Chicago
fleet
buy replacements on ebay
rebuild if needed like new balasts will solve your bulb problems. one for each headlight
and fresh bulbs
and some butyl if you really want to weather seal them
i love refurbishing headlights, recently did my e39 xenons and loved the process
rebuild if needed like new balasts will solve your bulb problems. one for each headlight
and fresh bulbs
and some butyl if you really want to weather seal them
i love refurbishing headlights, recently did my e39 xenons and loved the process
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
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
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
