CLS headlights questions - no, I don't want to fit HIDs!!

[Reefergeezer]

As some of you may know, after collecting my MY2009 CLS, the only two gripes I have are the crappy lights that Mercedes use (inside and out) and the anti-dazzle mirror.

I upgraded the headlight bulbs to the Osram Nightbreakers which many people here recommended and they are much better. I also did the sidelights purely for show

I have a question though about the manual levelling of the headlight beam using the little button under the light switch. From past experience with both BMWs and Audis, playing around with the headlight levelling button resulted in the beam noticeable shifting. This was best seen when parked facing a wall and you could see how the beam adjusted upwards or downwards, accompanied by a little whirr of the motors.

However, on the CLS, I neither hear anything nor see any noticeable shift in the beam. I know these have projector lens which are supposed to shield the beam (I think) so maybe this is why, but I just wanted to ask to make sure there was nothing wrong. Any help/advice would be much appreciated

Also, any thoughts on how easy/hard it is to retrofit an anti-dazzle mirror? Is it already pre-wired for this and just a case of changing the actual mirror unit? I hope so....!!

Thanks again.

 

[ChrisA]

Also, any thoughts on how easy/hard it is to retrofit an anti-dazzle mirror? Is it already pre-wired for this and just a case of changing the actual mirror unit? I hope so....!!

Thanks again.

Simple solution, get the rear window tinted

This alleviates all glaring issues and keeps the car cooler in the warmer days

 

[Major774]

Something is definitely wrong.

Having projectors is not a reason for them not to be working, so you can rule that out.

Both dipped beams not moving at all?

 

[Reefergeezer]

Hi Major, thanks for the reply.

Both dipped beams seem to just stay in the same position regardless of whether the knob is set to 0 or to 3 (or anywhere in between).

When changing the headlights, I did struggle a bit fitting the passenger side one back in (same side as coolant expansion tank) but would have thought that if the issue was caused by that, at least the driver side would move?

Is there any way of testing e.g. remove the bulbs completely and then listen for whirring motors? Not that I fancy sticking my hand in there again....!!!

 

[whitenemesis]

Is the adjustment done electrically or by vacuum? Possibly a vac pipe has come adrift.

 

[Mickybo]

if it is electrically operated, then as it is both sides try checking the fuse for the headlight motors. you should have a noticeable change in height, sounds like they are stuck in the down position.

 

[Alps]

headlights should move noticeably, as for the rear view mirror, fairly easy retrofit

 

[boxbrownie]

Surprised you have not got an auto dimming RVM, mine was and I thought it was standard fitment.
The beam adjustment is indeed electric, check fuses first I reckon then start to worry about switch. or even a bad connection upstream of the lights.

 

[Dieselman]

Surprised you have not got an auto dimming RVM, mine was and I thought it was standard fitment.

Same here, even my ancient E has dipping mirrors.

 

[Reefergeezer]

Thank for the replies, guys...no need to rub it in about no auto-dimming mirror lol

Will check fuses tomorrow as it will be dark by the time I get home - let's hope that's all it is.

On a related note, is the main switch for the headlights (not the beam adjustment) supposed to be illuminated? It's been left in the Auto position since I got it so never really looked at it until last night when I noticed that the knob for the adjustment is illuminated in the dark but the main headlight switch isn't. I just have a green indiator lamp to tell me when they're switched on but the rest of it remains dark.

Again, it may be a peculiar Mercedes design (I'm beginning to see a few of these!) but I would have thought that the headlight switch would be one of the most important things to illuminate! Just wanted to see what I should expect before I go trying to find a fault which may not exist!

Thanks again

 

[Reefergeezer]

...as for the rear view mirror, fairly easy retrofit

Is it already pre-wired, then, and just a case of swapping mirrors? Are they easy to change? I did have a quick look in the How To section but couldn't find anything.

Thanks.

 

[whitenemesis]

The main switch for the headlights does not illuminate.

I'm really surprised your car doesn't have auto dim RVM as standard! But as this 2009 price list shows it was optional on the 320

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&r...o_RUeVb06XvpO5w&bvm=bv.62578216,d.ZG4&cad=rjt


Easy retro-fit as there will be a spare connector in the OCP ready for it.

 

[Reefergeezer]

Thanks for the info regarding switch illumination - not sure if bad design is better or worse than it being faulty, but at least it's cheaper

Believe me, you're not as surprised as I was about the RVM!! I just spoke to MB and they quoted £300 + VAT for the actual mirror, plus wiring loom. I'm assuming by 'OCP' you mean Overhead Control Panel - is there anyway of checking for the spare connector? Not sure how to open it or take the mirror off and dont want to break anything yet....well, apart from headlight levelling which i seem to have done

 

[b1g1an]

The main switch for the headlights does not illuminate.

I'm really surprised your car doesn't have auto dim RVM as standard! But as this 2009 price list shows it was optional on the 320

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&r...o_RUeVb06XvpO5w&bvm=bv.62578216,d.ZG4&cad=rjt


Easy retro-fit as there will be a spare connector in the OCP ready for it.

Only ever ours plus the 500.

 

[b1g1an]

Thanks for the info regarding switch illumination - not sure if bad design is better or worse than it being faulty, but at least it's cheaper

Believe me, you're not as surprised as I was about the RVM!! I just spoke to MB and they quoted £300 + VAT for the actual mirror, plus wiring loom. I'm assuming by 'OCP' you mean Overhead Control Panel - is there anyway of checking for the spare connector? Not sure how to open it or take the mirror off and dont want to break anything yet....well, apart from headlight levelling which i seem to have done

It is a lot but cheaper than many LCD mirrors. You really don't want to clump door mirrors if you have that too.

 

[whitenemesis]

Thanks for the info regarding switch illumination - not sure if bad design is better or worse than it being faulty, but at least it's cheaper

Believe me, you're not as surprised as I was about the RVM!! I just spoke to MB and they quoted £300 + VAT for the actual mirror, plus wiring loom. I'm assuming by 'OCP' you mean Overhead Control Panel - is there anyway of checking for the spare connector? Not sure how to open it or take the mirror off and dont want to break anything yet....well, apart from headlight levelling which i seem to have done

Usually one has to pop out the lenses, as if to change the bulbs, to access the OCP retaining clips. Not done it on the CLS though.

 

[Reefergeezer]

Usually one has to pop out the lenses, as if to change the bulbs, to access the OCP retaining clips. Not done it on the CLS though.

Nothing ventured is nothing gained, I guess...!

Weather is looking good for tomorrow so will be out there checking fuses for headlamp levelling and will also try having a look at opening the OCP and report back.

What's the worst that can happen, eh?

It is a lot but cheaper than many LCD mirrors. You really don't want to clump door mirrors if you have that too.

Not too worried about the driver door mirror, but I will do the RVM if it's pre-wired. Will have to start scouring the web for a replacement mirror which is less than £360!

Problem is, you lot don't seem to trash your cars so nothing at the breakers' yard. What's wrong with you guys??

Thanks again, all

 

[gIzzE]

Just search ebay, I bet they all fit, only difference on most cars is the plastic trim, and you can use the trim off yours.

Mercedes w210 Auto dimming rear view mirror grey | eBay

 

[Reefergeezer]

Thanks gIzzE. I did search eBay but was searching specifically for CLS. Apparently the W210 is a different housing (although, as you say, that could be changed) but the W211 is supposed to be the same part. Now I just have to pull my mirror off to check for wiring...

 

[gIzzE]

I think the main problem is the connector, the bit that attaches to the windscreeen, as long as that is the same you should be fine.
The mirrors will all be slightly different shapes, but who cares about that.