Headlight message
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 6
From: Houston
W222 s550 , BMW 535i 15’
mines a 2015. The thread is for the new w222 class
Anyway I think I have the duuuuh answer to why my lights shorted out. High water pressure hose hitting the headlight at direct angle. There’s residual water by the plug. I wonder if this may have blown a fuse somewhere that can easily be replaced. Right now my low and high beams are both not working, just my led tracks and signal works
Last edited by mecca281; Jun 2, 2019 at 08:34 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 6
From: Houston
W222 s550 , BMW 535i 15’
I have attached some pics of the repair. As you can see there is a lot of water and Oil from the ruptured desiccant bags. There is also a line from where the oil was sitting in the ballast for a long time.
Mercedes needs to own up to this issue and call customers in for free removal of these desiccant bags. these headlight cost as much as a whole used vehicle!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 935
W212 FL
It may not the most sensible way to solve this moisture issue and I have just thought something that's definitely low tech solution but could work in such situations : Water repellent sprays I have not tried them on my shoes but I have seen such bottles roughly size of a two stacked Coca Cola tin box .It says it will build up a barrier against water,rain drops .So, if it works on shoes then why not on headlamps ? This gives me thinking .
I agree , Mercedes-Benz needs to address this issue that's not acceptable regardless
I agree , Mercedes-Benz needs to address this issue that's not acceptable regardless
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2015 s550 4matic
It may not the most sensible way to solve this moisture issue and I have just thought something that's definitely low tech solution but could work in such situations : Water repellent sprays I have not tried them on my shoes but I have seen such bottles roughly size of a two stacked Coca Cola tin box .It says it will build up a barrier against water,rain drops .So, if it works on shoes then why not on headlamps ? This gives me thinking .
I agree , Mercedes-Benz needs to address this issue that's not acceptable regardless
I agree , Mercedes-Benz needs to address this issue that's not acceptable regardless
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 58
Likes: 11
S500 4matic L
I do assume you have done that o your car. I have assume only the main battery been disconnected during this unplug period. Once you reconncte did you have any messages on dashboards I refer to lights. I was about to take off headlights from the car but the local MB serwis wasn't very helfull to define do I will required to coded them to the car again after reinstatement. Thanks in advance.
zender
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2015 s550 4matic
Headlight message
I now know that the moisture that settled in the headlight corroded the ballast and subsequently affect the full headlight assembly. As I stated previously I was compelled/ forced to purchase a new/second-hand light. Since having the replacement light installed it's working as it should, however the mechanic advised me to conduct routine check ups to ensure that this problem doesn't progress to the need for another headlight purchase. According to my mechanic there's an absorption type cloth that's in the light to reduce or stop /condensation) water accumulation. Nonetheless, for me the issue is how to make Mercedes Benz the manufacturer accountable for the shortcoming in their product. Accountable to the point of fixing this problem and manufacturing a better headlight mechanism. We spend too much for a sub-par product.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 58
Likes: 11
S500 4matic L
zendee
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 252
2014 S550 AMG, 2017 XT5
You are absolutely correct about this. The issue was the desiccant bags which MERCEDES installs as a “bandaid solution” when customers complain that their $100k vehicle has moisture in the headlights! After a number of washes, The bags ruptured and left a lot of oil and water in my ballast which shorted it out. Thankfully I am handy and was able to order and replace the part myself on my drivers side, but I’m not able to reach the bag on my passenger side!!!!
I have attached some pics of the repair. As you can see there is a lot of water and Oil from the ruptured desiccant bags. There is also a line from where the oil was sitting in the ballast for a long time.
Mercedes needs to own up to this issue and call customers in for free removal of these desiccant bags. these headlight cost as much as a whole used vehicle!!
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 998
Likes: 136
From: VA
W212 E-class, W211 E-class, F10 5-Series
- "Active Lane Keeping Assist Inoperative" (code 238)
-"Adaptive Highbeam Assist Inoperative" (code 608)
-"Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus Inoperative" (code 628)
- "Traffic Sign Assist Inoperative" (code 513)
-"PRE-SAFE Inoperative. See Owner's Manual"
My car is at the dealership right now and I want to be armed with knowledge before they try to come back with some bogus answer.
Does that bulletin apply to my vehicle also, or is there a different updated bulletin?
And is that "fix" supposed to be free of charge since Mercedes knows about the situation?
