strange headlight issue on w211 E55
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12
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2004 E55 AMG
strange headlight issue on w211 E55
for the right side headlight towards the right side (not the small one closer in)... the bulb about 4/5 days ago stopped working. Sometimes when driving it will randomly turn on but that only happened a few times.
I went to a shop yesterday and they took the bulb out from the right side headlight and put it on the left, and it worked. After that we put in a new bulb on the right side and it didn't work. So clearly there is no issues with the actual bulbs. There must be some connectivity issue, something isn't operating properly or something is loose?
Anyone maybe know what the problem may be and what should be looked at?
I am suppose to go back to the shop next week but maybe I'd like to try and figure out the problem before.
thanks
I went to a shop yesterday and they took the bulb out from the right side headlight and put it on the left, and it worked. After that we put in a new bulb on the right side and it didn't work. So clearly there is no issues with the actual bulbs. There must be some connectivity issue, something isn't operating properly or something is loose?
Anyone maybe know what the problem may be and what should be looked at?
I am suppose to go back to the shop next week but maybe I'd like to try and figure out the problem before.
thanks
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12
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2004 E55 AMG
ignitor has been checked and it is good.
fuses have not been looked at yet.
I also forgot to mention on the dash there is a message that says "right beam headlight", or something like that.
I'll check the fuses and go from there, thanks.
fuses have not been looked at yet.
I also forgot to mention on the dash there is a message that says "right beam headlight", or something like that.
I'll check the fuses and go from there, thanks.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 299
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Viper SRT-10, 68 Camaro
I am having this Exact same problem! I went so far as to purchase a complete new headlight assembly, it worked for about 2 weeks and now the 'low left beam' warning has come back on!! It has to be a wiring issue or something right??
Is there a control module for the headlight? Like something that could have gotten damaged or broken?
OP did you ever figure out what was wrong? Any help appreciated!!
Is there a control module for the headlight? Like something that could have gotten damaged or broken?
OP did you ever figure out what was wrong? Any help appreciated!!
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: US and A!
2004 E55 AMG
Can you please tell me which fuses run the Xenon on the left. I am not getting power to my driver side thanks
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,540
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From: Arizona
2004 E55, 1997 E320 "Sold"
To you guys having issues I would say it is probably something with your wiring, especially if you put in a new headlight. As far as the one side not working also, I think it has something to do with the wiring harness that connects into the back of the headlight. Possibly a pin is not making a connection or something got yanked. I have taken these headlights completely apart probably on four separate occasions, so I feel like these might be the issues.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7
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From: US and A!
2004 E55 AMG
Problem solved
I Finally figured out my head lamp issue! I didn't know that the igniter and the ballast are two separate parts lol... The ballast Is a metal box under the headlight assembly and the igniter is on the back of the bulb for any one else who might not know this. I got a cheap ballast from eBay $80.00 and some 6k bulbs removed the bumper and head light assembly installed ballast and now I have lights again!! 
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7
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From: US and A!
2004 E55 AMG
Yes my entire headlight system is stock. The Ballast is kinda hard to see unless you remove the entire headlamp housing. The ballast is located on the bottom of the housing it is a flat metal box about the size of your hand. On my car it is silver. Search head lamp housing removal I found a thread that was step by step it's pretty easy the only thing confusing was the two bumper brackets in the wheel well. Other than that very straight forward job and saved a lot of $ vs going to the stealership! Good luck
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,596
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From: Jacksonville, FL
05 White Pano E55, Cadillac CTS-V
Anyone know how the heck my xenon bulb would turn not so xenon? lol
Recently my passenger side headlight went from being a bluish xenon color to looking like a normal halogen bulb. The light always turns on, it is just the wrong color now and didn't even know something like that was possible.
Is this something that can happen to the xenon bulbs and I just need a new bulb? And any recommendations on where to get a replacement? This is the stock xenon system.
Recently my passenger side headlight went from being a bluish xenon color to looking like a normal halogen bulb. The light always turns on, it is just the wrong color now and didn't even know something like that was possible.
Is this something that can happen to the xenon bulbs and I just need a new bulb? And any recommendations on where to get a replacement? This is the stock xenon system.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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ok, the ballast was here this afternoon, R/R and it works! Since it was on the passenger side, I was able to R/R from underneath the hood (just remove the bottom shield, 8 screws). I also open up the ballast and found water in it. It must be the cover fell off last time when I replaced the bulb and water got into the lamp.
1exotic: I think the bulb is going out...
1exotic: I think the bulb is going out...
