No Headlights after changing bulbs
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 79
Likes: 6
W211 E63
No Headlights after changing bulbs
My bi xenon equipped 2007 e63's headlights have been dimming over time so I replaced the bulbs today (both the xenon low beams and halogen high beams). I noticed the wires running to the halogen high beams (the smaller center pair of lights) was frayed and missing some of its insulation. I got the bulbs in (which was a PITA due to lack of space), fire it up, stand back, get ready to admire, anndddd absolutely nothing! No headlights at all now
It seems like the degrading headlight wiring is pretty common. I'm assuming it's cause a short which is why I now have no headlights at all. I just don't get why the low beams don't work since the wiring to them seemed in good order.
Has anyone dealt with anything like this before? I want to make sure I'm not overlooking something before I order new headlight housing
Also, if anyone has any input on retrofitlabs's headlight housing it'd be appreciated. Seems like they have good reviews
It seems like the degrading headlight wiring is pretty common. I'm assuming it's cause a short which is why I now have no headlights at all. I just don't get why the low beams don't work since the wiring to them seemed in good order.
Has anyone dealt with anything like this before? I want to make sure I'm not overlooking something before I order new headlight housing
Also, if anyone has any input on retrofitlabs's headlight housing it'd be appreciated. Seems like they have good reviews
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 406
Likes: 147
From: Toronto
2025 AMG G 63 SUV /// 2025 AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4 Door Coupé
They might have to be coded into the car’s systems. The car might need to know the data matrix of the new headlights to perform properly. Do you have any warning lamps on the dash? Also I assume the car came with Xenon not the standard halogen??
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 79
Likes: 6
W211 E63
The dash says each of the lights are out just as if they burned out (front left low beam out, front left high beam, ect..) but no other warning lights. Yes, the car came with xenon lights so it's a like-for-like straight up bulb replacement
Thanks for the response
Thanks for the response
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,969
Likes: 1,317
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
This is puzzling. I do remember the Xenon high-voltage connectors are a PITA to re-connect. Sounds stupid, but are you sure the connectors are seated? I remember they were an absolute ***** to get seated. An extra inch of wire would have made it much easier...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 79
Likes: 6
W211 E63
I'm almost positive they are connected, the low beam HIDs weren't to bad to get to compared to the high beam halogens. Plus all the wires for the low beams look healthy
I'm going to start by putting liquid electrical tape on the frayed high beam wires and hopefully stop any potential short.
The more I research the more it seems like this is a very common problem on all w211 cars as they age
I'm going to start by putting liquid electrical tape on the frayed high beam wires and hopefully stop any potential short.
The more I research the more it seems like this is a very common problem on all w211 cars as they age
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 241
From: Usa
mgLipGD
The issue is certainly common and the non facelift uses D2S bulbs and the facelift D1S style if I recall. So double check the wire plugging into the igniter is best place to start. Is the current exposed wire “new” since you started the swap of bulbs or was it there before you started?
I have a 2005 and wanted to upgrade mine 5y ago and once I opened them had wires breaking insulation. Had to source all new OE active headlights in 2020 which was a major pain. Once I had them I tore the new lights open and still did my swap to Morimoto EVO projector.
good luck with solving don’t know how much I can help but post and can chime in.
I have a 2005 and wanted to upgrade mine 5y ago and once I opened them had wires breaking insulation. Had to source all new OE active headlights in 2020 which was a major pain. Once I had them I tore the new lights open and still did my swap to Morimoto EVO projector.
good luck with solving don’t know how much I can help but post and can chime in.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 79
Likes: 6
W211 E63
Yes, you are correct the post facelift cars use the DS1 bulb which has the igniter built right into the bulb. Doing anything with these headlights is a headache because there just isn't any room to access much. That being said the liquid electrical tape, which was a long shot, didn't work. Just couldn't get my hand in far enough to apply it.
So today I'll take the front bumper off and the headlights out and go from there
Thanks for the responses
So today I'll take the front bumper off and the headlights out and go from there
Thanks for the responses
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 79
Likes: 6
W211 E63
At this point it looks like the best step is replacing the headlights entirely.
My car has the AFS or active curve lighting system (option code 615) but it seems like finding replacements for this is basically not going to happen. Not even the dealers can get new AFS equipped lights for both sides anymore. At least none in my area.
So my question is; has anyone gone from AFS equipped Bi exenon back to regular bi xenon lights without the AFS feature? Will it work at all? And if so will it throw a code?
My car has the AFS or active curve lighting system (option code 615) but it seems like finding replacements for this is basically not going to happen. Not even the dealers can get new AFS equipped lights for both sides anymore. At least none in my area.
So my question is; has anyone gone from AFS equipped Bi exenon back to regular bi xenon lights without the AFS feature? Will it work at all? And if so will it throw a code?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,969
Likes: 1,317
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Code out the AFS feature to use the non-AFS headlights. I would have to search my Xentry system to find it but I know it is there.
I was able to locate and purchase AFS headlights literally three years ago. I do not know the current status of availability but they were not cheap at $1256.
I was able to locate and purchase AFS headlights literally three years ago. I do not know the current status of availability but they were not cheap at $1256.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 79
Likes: 6
W211 E63
After looking around the internet for a while I might be able to get a pair with AFS if I order from two different vendors. They are very rare at this point it seems and I assume are only going to get rarer.
Is coding a non AFS light to a car originally equipped with AFS something any dealer can do? And if I am able to find a set with AFS would that need to be coded to the car anyway?
Is coding a non AFS light to a car originally equipped with AFS something any dealer can do? And if I am able to find a set with AFS would that need to be coded to the car anyway?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,969
Likes: 1,317
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
If your car came with AFS and you install AFS replacement lights, it is plug and play. If you install non-AFS lights in your AFS car, you will get an error message on the instrument cluster. You set the code configuration to AFS "Not installed" to prevent the error message.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 79
Likes: 6
W211 E63
Just to update what ended up happening here: I had a friend at a collision shop put me in touch with a wiring/electrical repair guy they use who rewired the headlight internals for about $200. Basically he just replaced the wiring harness within the headlight housing. Everything is now working well. So maybe if anyone runs into this issue in the future you can look into this option. Especially since new headlight housing are about 1200 to 1300 bucks each and apparently no Mercedes dealer in the US have both driver and passenger side headlights.
Also, just so it's clear, post facelift cars equipped with bi exenon option use the DS1 bulb which has the igniter box attached right to the bulb. The high beam uses a standard halogen H7 bulb.
Headlight housing part numbers for bi xenon cars with AFS (aka active curve headlights) which is option code 615 on your build sheet:
Driver's side
Mercedes: 211 820 5361
Hella (the company that makes them for Mercedes): 009260651
Passenger side
Mercedes: 211 820 5461
Hella: 009260661
Id look for the Hella ones if you go this route since they are half the price and more available. You will have to reuse the AFS module from the bottom of your headlight housing if you do tho, so don't throw that out when replacing
Also, just so it's clear, post facelift cars equipped with bi exenon option use the DS1 bulb which has the igniter box attached right to the bulb. The high beam uses a standard halogen H7 bulb.
Headlight housing part numbers for bi xenon cars with AFS (aka active curve headlights) which is option code 615 on your build sheet:
Driver's side
Mercedes: 211 820 5361
Hella (the company that makes them for Mercedes): 009260651
Passenger side
Mercedes: 211 820 5461
Hella: 009260661
Id look for the Hella ones if you go this route since they are half the price and more available. You will have to reuse the AFS module from the bottom of your headlight housing if you do tho, so don't throw that out when replacing
