Hi I have a 2006 W164
One of the headlamps has developed a very red tint and is really noticeable.
Typically is this the bulb, the ballast or something else?
I haven't been to a dealer as I'd like to be armed with some info before I go that far - is this something that can be fixed myself?
If it were my car, I would swap over the bulb to the other headlamp (and ballast) to check if it has the red tint there, if so then the bulb is the problem.
You may be able to figure it out, so here's a diagram to help.
WARNING: Xenon headlamp systems have an extremely high voltage, so be sure the lights are not on. better still remove the fuse/s or disconnect the negative side of the battery.
Click on image to enlarge
thanks again
I had a quick look last night, undid the water seal cap, untwisted the bulb, then saw all the warnings and stopped! Put it all back and now the bulb doesnt work at all, so either it was on its way out, or I have broken something else....
Now I am looking for the correct fuse to isolate before I start... except the Owners Manual (Australian version) refers you to a page to detail which fuse is which, but that doesnt exist, so my next question is.....
Has anyone got a layout which shows me which fuse does what? there are three fuseboxes - one next to the glove box, one in the engine bay and one in the boot - am guessing its the one in the engine bay?
If you have the lights off, you shouldn’t need to disconnect the battery. If nothing else, unplug the harness from the Zeon ignition module (the normal looking wires). This way there isn’t any way to develop high voltage to the bulb. I would swap the easiest items from side to side, be it the bulb or the module and see if you can get the problem to move. My guess you just need a bulb. Also note a new bulb will be a different color until it has been used for 100 hours. It’s best just to do them in pairs and be done with it if you can afford the $180.00 list price ea. Note there is a power module under the headlamp assy. as well, Have fun
Jim Nelson
Nelsons Automotive Pewaukee WI
managed to find some cheap bulbs online (worryingly they werent anywhere near the price you said!!!) so thought I'd give them a go - couldnt get the battery lead off (all tools in storage - long story) so was going to remove the correct fuse..... looked everywhere for this piece of paper telling me which - including under the spare wheel - no luck!!!!
So, 2nd question - does anyone have a scan of this piece of paper telling me which is which - I dont want to be caught short in the middle of nowhere with something simple like a fuse diagram holding me up!!!! Or does it vary depending on year/variant/region?
@ Jim - thanks for the tips - will give it a go when I get some daylight back
thanks for your responses - I managed to buy two new bulbs on ebay for AU$50 and disconnected the battery last night and swapped one bulb, and it works fine. The bulb was a D2R/S I think.
For anyone else doing this:
Disconnect the battery (under the driver's seat/RH front seat), unscrew the waterproof cover behind the headlight. Carefully twist off the ballast, the cable will ping out and disconnect as you turn it as it has a little plastic nib. Remove the ballast. The bulb is held in by a hinged wire. Unclip the wire, pull out the bulb and replace. The ballast is fiddly to clip and twist back on. Then finally once it is in place you have to plug in the wire connectors which is fiddly. I have spades for hands so I enlisted someone with tiny hands to do this!
Patience and care are needed so as not to snap any of the plastic nibs.
Good luck!
Oh and if anyone has a fuse diagram for the car, that'd be great!
Hi Alex, I'm glad you got your lights sorted out. I meant to say too that it is best to change both bulbs because of colour differences.
Many source their replacements from places like eBay because of the price difference between OEM parts and eBay spares.
When I had a problem with a ballast unit, I bought a HID kit from eBay.
I used one ballast, and now have one other spare ballast unit, and two spare bulbs. The whole HID kit cost less than one replacement OEM bulb.
Re. the ML fuse layout, I don't know why MB doesn't give this very basic information in the handbook.
I looked on my copy of WEB ETM with Starfinder, and although some fuses are referred to, there is no fuse layout diagram.
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