SLK-Class (R171) 2004-2010: SLK200K, SLK280, SLK350, SLK55, SLK55 Black Series

SLK/R171: interesting and potentially issue on a well optioned slk

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Old May 30, 2010 | 02:27 PM
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2000 C230 sport
interesting and potentially issue on a well optioned slk

found an r171 slk that appears to has actual xenon headlamps and the cutout below the headlamps that signify that the car may have headlamp washers installed. however, my friend pointed out that there is no switch to activate the washers from inside the car (which is normally placed next to the usual headlight toggle)...its just the usual empty black plastic space. the build sheet also does not list the bixenons or headlamp washers (it normally would) as installed on the car.

i've never seen this before, does anyone have any idea what could be going on? seen this before? clean carfax, so there's a good chance that it wasn't in a front end collision (and i don't see someone paying for an upgraded front end on their own after buying/leasing, but it is possible and i don't know the chances). also, retrofitting options is horrendously expensive (but i don't know how common this is). insurance definitely wouldn't give a halfway upgrade to the car.

purchasing an slk350 with amg sport package and lighting package means that you don't get the cornering foglamps (these just aren't possible on slk55 or slk350 w/ amg sport), so maybe the person didn't get the lighting package (since they are paying for foglamps they wouldnt receive) and just installed xenons on their own (without installing the headlamp washer wiring and switch)? does the xenon housing require the headlamp washer front assembly?
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Old May 30, 2010 | 11:15 PM
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You can view an SLK owners manual on the mbusa web site and determine for yourself that there is no separate headlight washer switch on the later models.

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/data/p...k350_slk55.pdf
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Old May 31, 2010 | 02:38 AM
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Yes, the washers are activated when you use the windshield washer fluid.
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Old May 31, 2010 | 07:11 AM
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Originally Posted by mac911
Yes, the washers are activated when you use the windshield washer fluid.
The factory Bi-Xenon headlight washers have their own switch which is a small round button located to the right of the headlight switch. Also, after a certain number activations of the windhsield washer, the headlight washers activate, automatically. Chances are, the front bumper cover was replaced due to a front end accident or something as simple as damage to the bumper cover only. You can install xenon headlights with an aftermarket kit, or the preferred method for me would be replacement with new or used factory bi-xenon headlight assemblies that run $500 per pair to $1500 new. Retrofit is fairly simple.
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Old May 31, 2010 | 12:19 PM
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2000 C230 sport
Originally Posted by lkchris
You can view an SLK owners manual on the mbusa web site and determine for yourself that there is no separate headlight washer switch on the later models.

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/data/p...k350_slk55.pdf
oh sorry for leaving out details, that is for 2008+. sorry to not say this earlier, but i've been looking at 2005-2007's. until (not including) 2008, there was a manual override button.

thanks for the pdf though, awesome!

Last edited by tex07; May 31, 2010 at 12:21 PM.
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Old Jun 2, 2010 | 01:40 AM
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Originally Posted by -1-
The factory Bi-Xenon headlight washers have their own switch which is a small round button located to the right of the headlight switch. Also, after a certain number activations of the windhsield washer, the headlight washers activate, automatically. Chances are, the front bumper cover was replaced due to a front end accident or something as simple as damage to the bumper cover only. You can install xenon headlights with an aftermarket kit, or the preferred method for me would be replacement with new or used factory bi-xenon headlight assemblies that run $500 per pair to $1500 new. Retrofit is fairly simple.
Thanks. I did not realize this as my C Class has no switch to turn the headlight washers on. They only come on at the first and then every few windshield washes.
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Old Jun 3, 2010 | 11:35 PM
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2000 C230 sport
Originally Posted by -1-
The factory Bi-Xenon headlight washers have their own switch which is a small round button located to the right of the headlight switch. Also, after a certain number activations of the windhsield washer, the headlight washers activate, automatically. Chances are, the front bumper cover was replaced due to a front end accident or something as simple as damage to the bumper cover only. You can install xenon headlights with an aftermarket kit, or the preferred method for me would be replacement with new or used factory bi-xenon headlight assemblies that run $500 per pair to $1500 new. Retrofit is fairly simple.
how is it simple, since you have to install and wire the autoleveling system?
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