Fault on Bi-Xenon W203

[madmacs06]

I have a fault on one of my factory installed Bi-xenon lights on a W203.

It does not come on when I first start the car but will come on after a period of time driving and I switch the lights on and off a few times.

Any clues what's to blame?

It is definitely not the bulb.

 

[Wully]

I'd put money on the igniter, which I'm afraid to say is inside the headlamp.

I have the exact same problem on my passenger side one and over the last few weeks done some major researching.

Option 1 is the MB repair and that involves the installation of a new igniter and iirc is positioned within the rear cover of the light.

Option 2 is the removal of the headlight glass and reassemble after replacing the igniter, source of igniter would have to be ebay. I believe that many igniter's are the same across makers.

Option 3 is source a new headlight from ebay or if you have won the lottery recently the stealers.

 

[madmacs06]

Any ideas about the part no. for the igniter?

 

[Wully]

Finally found the MB doc for the igniter replacement

LINK

Part numbers are on the last sheet, Please do some looking yourself as i wouldn't want you spending money on something i have said.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Had a similar problem. Replacing the igniter didn't fix it in my case although should have based on what the dealer said. Replacing whole headlamp assembly cured it though - thankfully under warranty.

 

[Wully]

Had a similar problem. Replacing the igniter didn't fix it in my case although should have based on what the dealer said. Replacing whole headlamp assembly cured it though - thankfully under warranty.

Are you sure it was the igniter that was replaced and not the ballast which is housed externally to the light on the underside?

Basically the fitting consisits of a ballast, igniter and lamp / holder.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

It was all replaced over three attempts. Initially ignitor pack was diagnosed as source of the problem. IIRC the dealer advised there was a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) on the ignitor, but the same TSB stated they must replace the capsule (bulb) at the same time.

Unfortunately warranty would only cover the ignitor, and not the bulb, so I asked them to present the TSB to warranty claims department, stating that the two must be replaced together. To be fair the warranty then stumped up for both parts, which was a good result.

 

[madmacs06]

Thanks. Will look into it. Unfortunately car out of warranty. probably will look for a replacement lamp.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Thanks. Will look into it. Unfortunately car out of warranty. probably will look for a replacement lamp.

I believe the headlamp unit is in the region of £1000.

I know - I couldn't believe it either!!

 

[madmacs06]

Will try MBenzNL. Otherwise, eBay...

The headlight will still switch on but needed a few 'on and off' sequence... can't be good for the good light...

 

[thejack]

Hi,
I had the same on my c 200 cdi. I had to replace the ballast and the headlamp still works. At the very beginning I have disassembled all the headlamp to reach the igniter but it wasn't the cause.
Try to replace the ballast with a one you can get from ebay at a reasonable price. The best would be to buy complete set (ballast igniter) for few dollars.
Did so, if still not work, try to swap bulbs between the headlamps. Frequently, when the ballast dies the bulb get damaged ( electrode cut ).
Hope this helps.

Marco