W211 Xenon Dipped Beam Problem (Bulb & Ballast OK)

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Joined
Oct 29, 2007
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20
Location
North Wales
Car
E270 CDI (W211) Silver
I have a 2002/3 W211 e class Mercedes which is showing a malfunction message indicating "Right Dipped Beam Failure"

I have so far trouble shooted the problem by changing the bulbs and the igniter control unit on the back of the bulb (black unit that connects to bulb, Ballast unit?) from left to right.

Those units that work on the left will not work on the right. Whilst those transferred over from the right to the left work fine.

What should i look at doing next?

If i was at home i would take it to the MB Specialist i use to sort out, however i am working out in Holland and can only find a rather expensive looking dealer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
That connector is not the ballast.

The ballast is under the headlamp. It s silver metal box with a connector on it. It could be that that is at fault.

Have you checked the fuses?
 
Thanks for the reply.

Can i swap over the ballast units to eliminate this possibility or are they integral to the light it self? (ie left will only work with left?)

I have searched for information relating to fuses protecting the dipped beam but have not found anything. I have been led to believe the opposite that the dipped beam right is not fused on its own. I have no other electrical problems.
Is there a fuse i should be looking for?
 
Ballasts are identical electrically but will probably have different mounting brackets. easy to do a temporary swap to check.
 
Thanks for the reply.

Can i swap over the ballast units to eliminate this possibility or are they integral to the light it self? (ie left will only work with left?)

I have searched for information relating to fuses protecting the dipped beam but have not found anything. I have been led to believe the opposite that the dipped beam right is not fused on its own. I have no other electrical problems.
Is there a fuse i should be looking for?

Yes...you can swap over the ballast unit under the Head lamp unit...if you follow the wiring diagram wire come from passenger Sam to head lamp unit...so no fuse...mostly the ballast connector Seal leaking cause water come insert and short circuit...
 
Thanks for the help.
Just getting a tool kit together and will tackle the ballast unit swap / test at the weekend.
Looking around the forum and the web it looks like i need to remove the front bumper to access the ballast units? Can it be done without bumper removal?

As i am away from home i will tackle this problem on the drive of a rented house so have limited equipment available and am looking for the simplest method.
Thanks
 
No like most models you need to remove the bumper. Its a 10 min job once you know where it mounts but that may take 2 hours to find them.

you can loosen the bumper to gain access to the mount that goes through the wing but best to remove it fully if you need to get to both headlights.
 
Thanks for the help.
Just getting a tool kit together and will tackle the ballast unit swap / test at the weekend.
Looking around the forum and the web it looks like i need to remove the front bumper to access the ballast units? Can it be done without bumper removal?

As i am away from home i will tackle this problem on the drive of a rented house so have limited equipment available and am looking for the simplest method.
Thanks

Last month I ready changed the ballast for model w211 facelift....so just jack up the car than remove front engine bottom cover....black plastic cover with screw 8mm...from under the car u can changed the ballast...using torque screw driver and remove 3 pc's screw is mounted at under Head lamp unit without remove the bumper...try the best n good luck Bro....
 
Front Sam unit? Located under front passenger floor a possibility...
 
My error message "dipped beam right" went away 2 days ago was replaced with "no malfunctions" and light started working again.
However got myself a small tool kit together and removed bottom plastic engine cover as suggested by Kuazizul. access no problem this way. Removed ballast unit cleaned terminal connections and reassembled.
Every thing still OK.
My question is if the ballast unit was on its way out would it be a bit hit and miss for a while before giving up all together or would it just fail, should i be looking for another fault?
 
Problem solved. Ordered a replacement ballast unit of ebay £25 (from a Renault breaker, these same ballast units used on Mercedes W211 are used on Jags / Lexus / Renault so worth checking around if looking for used replacement.)
For information both left and right are identical and both can easily be accessed from below with the bottom splash plate removed.
Bottom splash plate removal 8mm socket required (8 hex head screws to remove)
Ballast unit removal torx 20 driver required (3 screws per ballast unit)

Thank to every body for help and information.
 
Problem solved. Ordered a replacement ballast unit of ebay £25 (from a Renault breaker, these same ballast units used on Mercedes W211 are used on Jags / Lexus / Renault so worth checking around if looking for used replacement.)
For information both left and right are identical and both can easily be accessed from below with the bottom splash plate removed.
Bottom splash plate removal 8mm socket required (8 hex head screws to remove)
Ballast unit removal torx 20 driver required (3 screws per ballast unit)

Thank to every body for help and information.

do you know the part number for the ballast
 
Hi,
Have a look on Ebay, there are plenty on there, the same unit fits many other makes of vehicles, just use the BOSCH part number which you will see on the unit to get a compatible ballast. A new Ballast from Mercedes is extremely expensive. I bought a used one from Ebay 4 /5 years ago and still going strong. Afterwards, I did cut the old one open and a transistor is blown inside, but it is just not worth the hassle of repairing it.

Steve.
 

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