SL-Class (R129) 1990-2002: SL 280, SL 300, SL 320, SL 500, SL 600, SL 60 AMG

SL/R129: No Power to Headlight

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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 04:28 PM
  #1  
funkytuqe's Avatar
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1991 500sl
No Power to Headlight

Hi guys, i have a bit of an issue.
My right side headlight on my 1991 500sl does not work. This is an OEM Mercedes HID system. I originally thought that the ballast was bad, so i swapped the right side ballast to the left side to see if the fault would follow. The ballast worked fine. Next i removed the entire right side headlight assembly and hooked it up the the left side connections, the headlight housing worked fine too, the projector lamp turned on. So, next i measured the voltage coming from the right side headlight power connection and there is NO Voltage.
I need to trace the headlamp power back to it's origin, does any one know if there are independent fuses or relays for the HID headlight system?? Or some kind of control module that powers the lights separately? I'm not quite sure where to take things from here.

Thanks

Oh one more thing, the high beams work on both sides, it's just the HID projector that does not work on the right side.
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Old Dec 6, 2007 | 04:56 AM
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jori's Avatar
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SL 280, 1994
Go over the fuses.
They are the reasons for a lot of headache.
It`s always a good start with eletrical promblems by the SL.
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Old Dec 6, 2007 | 10:10 AM
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1991 500sl
Yes, the fuses are a good place to start. Where can i find the headlight fuses and relays?
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 08:08 AM
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SL 280, 1994
When you stand in the front of the car. Under the hood up in the right corner you will find the fuse-and realybox. (Least is it so on the eutopean models) Under the fusecover you will find number and where the fuses work

You also have an additional fusebox in the trunk, but his box has nothing with the lights to do. Central locker, IR-function is among otherts thing placed there.

Problem with SL is Galvanic corriosion on fuses in the fusebox. So start clean up every single one.

Good luck

jori
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 10:05 AM
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1991 500sl
Ok, thank you so much for this information. I will remove, check and clean all fuses. I also found in my search on SL forums that there seems to be a common problem with the headlight connectors getting corroded, so i will clean those too and let you all know how it works out.
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 07:33 PM
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1992 SL-300
The corrosion starts because it is a bi-metallic connection. In some auto stores you can find copper replacements to rid the problem.
Good Luck
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Old Dec 11, 2007 | 06:44 AM
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R 129 MB 500SL
Or, if there has been a bit of corrosion at the fuses, the connecter at the bottom of the fuse can melt the plastic, and sink downwards, thus not making contact with the fuse, particularly on the fuse that lights the interior high beam idiot light.
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 10:18 AM
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1991 500sl
Hey guys, it turned out to be the fuse. There was a little bit of corrosion there that probably helped it along.
Thanks
Ryan
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Old Jan 2, 2008 | 02:43 AM
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Nice to hear that we could help you ;-)
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