SL/R230: 2003 SL500 Ballast or igniter
06-15-2013, 05:02 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
2003 SL500 Ballast or igniter
I am having an intermittent passenger low beam failure. One day it works and the next day it doesn't. I've done some searching and found a few threads about igniters and ballasts. Is the igniter the same thing as the ballast? Is there a way to diagnose without tearing things apart. My research tells me I have to remove the front bumper to get the headlight assembly out.
06-16-2013, 12:13 PM
#2
Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Norway
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
SL 55 and a GT 3000 vr4 Here's my car: http://home.online.no/~ludvs/index.cfm
Changing the igniter on the sl
I had the same problem with my sl 55, I had to replace the ballast (same as igniter).
I took it to the dealer, I also thought the bumper had to be removed, but I'm not sure if they did that.
I paid for 2 hours work.
You also have to connect the star computer afterwards to get it working again.
The only big minus is the cost of the ballast.
Here in norway I paid 1167 dollars for it.
I took it to the dealer, I also thought the bumper had to be removed, but I'm not sure if they did that.
I paid for 2 hours work.
You also have to connect the star computer afterwards to get it working again.
The only big minus is the cost of the ballast.
Here in norway I paid 1167 dollars for it.
11-29-2015, 02:42 PM
#5
Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004 sl500
I just replace the ballast in my 2004 sl500. Just to let you all know that the ballast could be accessed from the bottom of the car after removing the plastic shied under the car. Only 3 screws holding it and could be done within half hour. You don't need to remove the whole lamp suggested by others which mean loosing the bumper to access the screw holding the lamp. However ignitor is inside the lamp which you might have to remove the lamp. Bottom line, replacing the ballast for the headlight is VERY easily done from under the car.
12-26-2015, 07:45 PM
#6
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Bartlett TN
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
6 Posts
2005 SL500
I just replace the ballast in my 2004 sl500. Just to let you all know that the ballast could be accessed from the bottom of the car after removing the plastic shied under the car. Only 3 screws holding it and could be done within half hour. You don't need to remove the whole lamp suggested by others which mean loosing the bumper to access the screw holding the lamp. However ignitor is inside the lamp which you might have to remove the lamp. Bottom line, replacing the ballast for the headlight is VERY easily done from under the car.
01-01-2016, 07:37 AM
#7
Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Norway
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
SL 55 and a GT 3000 vr4 Here's my car: http://home.online.no/~ludvs/index.cfm
The igniter and ballast are the same!
And the light will work a while, but then it stops.
On my car it came and went, then went completely dead, so I had to replace the part.
And the light will work a while, but then it stops.
On my car it came and went, then went completely dead, so I had to replace the part.
