SL/R231: Headlight Problems moving left, right, up, down; low beam going out; turn signal
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: Tempe, AZ
2013 SL550
Headlight Problems moving left, right, up, down; low beam going out; turn signal
My cars headlight on the left drivers side is acting super wonky. I took it to the touchless car wash and I come out and I notice that my left headlight wasn't working. I start panicking and | look in the engine bay and the cover for the headlight was off and it fell. Then I noticed that there was a bunch of condensation in the headlight. Then my left turn signal was blinking really fast. I read in a forum ones that a driver put his car in the sun to dry any potential humidity. I checked back the next day and my headlights were working again. However, right now I am testing it and The left headlight is "not moving properly" (that sequence when you first start the car and the headlights do a check for moving the headlights left, right, up, down.) | am so sick of this car's headlight problems. Genuinely frustrated as my other headlight has had its own set of problems. Anyone had this issue?
Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 111
Likes: 44
From: Bainsville, Ontario, Canada
SL 550 (2014) Kia Sorento (2016)
The control module attached to the bottom of the headlight may be wet or corroded. The seal is very poor such that water in the headlight casing will pool and leak into the module. You can remove and inspect it after removing the wheel and fender liner. No need for bumper removal. If you need to get a new module, get a used one for a 2013 SL and you won't have to program it. If after 2014, it will need programming.
Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 109
Likes: 13
2015 SL63 AMG (R231)
When I bought my 2015 SL53 AMG in 2020 UK nearside had water and they changed it in September 2020 under warrantee. April 2023 both headlamps had problems on inspection both had water in them. Where the control module sits has no seal plus the 2020's wiring had rusted! It is only on the road April until November and the sunny day car. However,. when in Spain we had lightly flooded roads say 2inches and I had to drive 3 miles with the car raised
My independent changed both headlamps for say £5000 and said the newer cars ones are now partly in a waterproof bag..........
I asked by Indy to seal mine where possible with dielectric grease only time will tell if that was a good idea.
MB's reaction when I tried to get them to pay for the 2020 one was car parts do wear out sir...........so headlamps only last 2.5 years........ its really a OTT bad design I have had car 3 decades old still with original headlamps
Try taking it out and blowing ait though the headlamp from hair dryer and somebody else said put it in an oven on minimum heat......never tried either as we were off on holiday with the car 3 weeks later
My independent changed both headlamps for say £5000 and said the newer cars ones are now partly in a waterproof bag..........
I asked by Indy to seal mine where possible with dielectric grease only time will tell if that was a good idea.
MB's reaction when I tried to get them to pay for the 2020 one was car parts do wear out sir...........so headlamps only last 2.5 years........ its really a OTT bad design I have had car 3 decades old still with original headlamps
Try taking it out and blowing ait though the headlamp from hair dryer and somebody else said put it in an oven on minimum heat......never tried either as we were off on holiday with the car 3 weeks later
