MurderedE55

My driver side headlight is out but about every 30 sec. it flickers by trying to turn on. Has anyone experienced this issue and/or any ideas on what or how to fix it?
I have removed the "Ignitor" off of the headlight but im not 100% sure thats the problem.

any suggestions is appreciated.
Jonathan

wastedyolk

Check the fuse

MurderedE55

the fuse covers both healights right?
my passenger headlight still works fine and the driver side one doesnt come on but will flicker about every 30 seconds

djrabbi

Check the ignitor, might be burning

jobrund

I have a similar (opposite) issue. My passenger side headlight is mostly on but will flickers every 15 seconds or so. The dealer wanted $1800 ($1200 parts) to change the ignitor. He said the igniter is part of the whole headlamp assembly.

Is this true?

Thanks

E55Greasemonkey

Swap the bulb, then ignitor left to right until you figure out which part is bad. It could also the control module which is mounted under the bottom of the light housing..You'll have to remove the headlamp assembly to access it.

DGSU4EA70

I have similar issue but mine is out completely. FYI, for DIYers you can buy ignitors off ebay for $35-$75 USED/NEW.

JOSHE55

same thing is happening with my car, it started out as pink eye, now it just blinks, the dealer said the bulb has to be replaced and they want $200. so maybe its also the ignitor?

DGSU4EA70

It could be 1 of 4 things;

The bulb (You can find on Ebay)
The ignitor (You can find on Ebay)
The Ballast control module ($145 new on Ebay)
The headlight ECM ($500 new on Ebay)

You can find both new and used on Ebay just make sure its the right MB part number. My issue didnt blink but was OUT completely. Replaced the ballast module and that fixed the porblem. $60 used on ebay!

JOSHE55

thanks for the tip i will try to get it done this weekend, but knowing me and how lazy i am it might be a few months. finally got the D service done after 365 days of that light coming on, i said "Happy Birthday D Service, time to get you a gift by getting that warning removed."

jobrund

UPDATE: I took my E63 for a 2nd opinion at an independent shop (thanks Autoscope). They said it was the control unit, not the ignitor (as Park Place MB Dallas dealer said).
As another poster mentioned, they found this by swapping L and R bulbs first and then ignitor. New control unit was $1000 ($650 parts), which was better than the dealer who wanted $1800 and it wasn't even the real problem. Independent changed the control unit and its worked great since. If I was more DIY, may have tried it myself. Needless to say, I won't be returning to Park Place MB in Dallas after mis-diagnosis and lying about having to do the whole headlamp assembly because it was one piece (it was not). Shameful.

taurran

This sucks because I just started experiencing this same kind of thing myself, but with the driver's side daytime running light. It started by going dim randomly with a slight flicker, and oddly enough, it now stays on (dim) after I turn the car off for a few minutes, even with the lights set to off.

I had a local mechanic suggest checking the control unit, even though it's so expensive. I also need to go through the wiring to see if its melted or grounded out anywhere.

Oh, and I have LED DRL's for a year or so and never had an issue with the other side, or this one, until recently.

Manuyc

wire loose or you ballast is going out and you need to replace it. check junkyard for cheap prices