SL/R129: Problems xenon headlights
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Joined: May 2008
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1999 SL320 V6
Problems xenon headlights
Help………1999 320 SL V6 with xenon front headlights.
Driving home the other day I switched on both the side lights and headlights as it was just getting dark. On the dash warning lights the bulb out light came on, I got out and checked and it was the offside (Right Hand) xenon lamp not working.
Phoned the local stealership and was told a new bulb was £80 plus vat and fitting, so thinking this was a bit steep for a headlamp I then phoned various other garages that specialise in these type of cars, and I was astounded when I was quoted up to £180 for a replacement bulb. Eventually I decided to go to the official dealer. On arrival, I was greeted and given a very nice coffee whilst I waited. Then after a wait of about an hour it was ready, went to collect it and started it switched on the lights and guess what still the same. They took it back inside and after another hour and a half was pronounced ready started it up switched on lights and still the same, no light from the offside (Right Hand side) dip beam xenon headlight.
At this stage, the General Manager was involved, she decided to give me the use of their loan car, and they would keep mine to work on it. Next day a phone call to tell me that part of the headlight fixing had been damaged beyond repair by an electrical, fault and I needed a completely new headlight assembly at over a £1,000 in cost. Anyone had a problem with xenon’s that has resulted in this. Is the starter unit a fixed part of the headlight assembly.
Driving home the other day I switched on both the side lights and headlights as it was just getting dark. On the dash warning lights the bulb out light came on, I got out and checked and it was the offside (Right Hand) xenon lamp not working.
Phoned the local stealership and was told a new bulb was £80 plus vat and fitting, so thinking this was a bit steep for a headlamp I then phoned various other garages that specialise in these type of cars, and I was astounded when I was quoted up to £180 for a replacement bulb. Eventually I decided to go to the official dealer. On arrival, I was greeted and given a very nice coffee whilst I waited. Then after a wait of about an hour it was ready, went to collect it and started it switched on the lights and guess what still the same. They took it back inside and after another hour and a half was pronounced ready started it up switched on lights and still the same, no light from the offside (Right Hand side) dip beam xenon headlight.
At this stage, the General Manager was involved, she decided to give me the use of their loan car, and they would keep mine to work on it. Next day a phone call to tell me that part of the headlight fixing had been damaged beyond repair by an electrical, fault and I needed a completely new headlight assembly at over a £1,000 in cost. Anyone had a problem with xenon’s that has resulted in this. Is the starter unit a fixed part of the headlight assembly.
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some
Help………1999 320 SL V6 with xenon front headlights.
Driving home the other day I switched on both the side lights and headlights as it was just getting dark. On the dash warning lights the bulb out light came on, I got out and checked and it was the offside (Right Hand) xenon lamp not working.
Phoned the local stealership and was told a new bulb was £80 plus vat and fitting, so thinking this was a bit steep for a headlamp I then phoned various other garages that specialise in these type of cars, and I was astounded when I was quoted up to £180 for a replacement bulb. Eventually I decided to go to the official dealer. On arrival, I was greeted and given a very nice coffee whilst I waited. Then after a wait of about an hour it was ready, went to collect it and started it switched on the lights and guess what still the same. They took it back inside and after another hour and a half was pronounced ready started it up switched on lights and still the same, no light from the offside (Right Hand side) dip beam xenon headlight.
At this stage, the General Manager was involved, she decided to give me the use of their loan car, and they would keep mine to work on it. Next day a phone call to tell me that part of the headlight fixing had been damaged beyond repair by an electrical, fault and I needed a completely new headlight assembly at over a £1,000 in cost. Anyone had a problem with xenon’s that has resulted in this. Is the starter unit a fixed part of the headlight assembly.
Driving home the other day I switched on both the side lights and headlights as it was just getting dark. On the dash warning lights the bulb out light came on, I got out and checked and it was the offside (Right Hand) xenon lamp not working.
Phoned the local stealership and was told a new bulb was £80 plus vat and fitting, so thinking this was a bit steep for a headlamp I then phoned various other garages that specialise in these type of cars, and I was astounded when I was quoted up to £180 for a replacement bulb. Eventually I decided to go to the official dealer. On arrival, I was greeted and given a very nice coffee whilst I waited. Then after a wait of about an hour it was ready, went to collect it and started it switched on the lights and guess what still the same. They took it back inside and after another hour and a half was pronounced ready started it up switched on lights and still the same, no light from the offside (Right Hand side) dip beam xenon headlight.
At this stage, the General Manager was involved, she decided to give me the use of their loan car, and they would keep mine to work on it. Next day a phone call to tell me that part of the headlight fixing had been damaged beyond repair by an electrical, fault and I needed a completely new headlight assembly at over a £1,000 in cost. Anyone had a problem with xenon’s that has resulted in this. Is the starter unit a fixed part of the headlight assembly.
Mark
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 132
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From: Dallas, TX
2007 Mercedes SL550 Sport
u need to find out if it's the bulb or the ballast. bulb should be well under $100 on ebay. if ballast you possibly can find a universal on ebay for cheap as well. now days they are selling the whole xenon kit (bulb & ballast for both side) for about $150. just fyi. good luck
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S500
u need to find out if it's the bulb or the ballast. bulb should be well under $100 on ebay. if ballast you possibly can find a universal on ebay for cheap as well. now days they are selling the whole xenon kit (bulb & ballast for both side) for about $150. just fyi. good luck
which I kind of dont get since your headlight itself is more like a housing if it doesnt turn on I would think it would be the bulbs, ballasts or ignitor.
since they singled out the bulbs arent the issue I agree and the culprit would be ballasts, or ignitor. if dealer already checked these, and these arent the issue Then I am thinking its maybe a control module. I cant remember but either way I dont think you need a WHOLE new headlight, I think mercedes does sell the ignitor and ballast sperately, very expensive but cheaper than a whole new headlight am not sure though. But you can get an OEM ballast and ignitor the same as yours on ebay for no more than $75-$100. I know on the newer SL's they was an issue with the headlight control modules though, they had a problem with them getting wet and failing.
I would have the dealer specify what part needs replaced.
Last edited by donjuan45i; Dec 4, 2008 at 07:25 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2010
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85 Ferrair 308, 03 500sl, 04 s430
I just went thru low beam headlight issues with my SL.
The issue is generally the ballast and or the igniter.
Replace both BUT go to e bay. They can be had for $200 for both as opposed to the dealer for close to $2000.00! My labor cost in the US was $70.00.
The issue is generally the ballast and or the igniter.
Replace both BUT go to e bay. They can be had for $200 for both as opposed to the dealer for close to $2000.00! My labor cost in the US was $70.00.
