1987 190D turbo - no high beams - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Turbo190D · #1 09-28-2017, 10:11 PM

Hey guys, got my car running again after replacing the lower control arms, tie rods, brake calipers/rotors/etc. Anyway, now it's on to less critical items. My low beams work just fine. Fog lights seem to work (at least the left one does, driver's side doesn't but I'm guessing that's a bulb). However, the high beams do not work. When I pull the stick, the indicator on the dash does not come on and the high beams do not activate. The low beams turn off. When I pull back to "flash" the low beams stay on but the high beams do not activate. I checked the fuses (though I admit I could not really tell from the FSM what fuses are what, the text is too blurry for me to read). I didn't see any fuses that looked obviously bad though. I've replaced the combo switch (the one that came on my car barely worked at all, almost nothing worked) I got a used on on ebay and it seems to work fine.

What should I look for? I'm not a stranger to wiring troubleshootings, but generally I have a nice clear wiring diagram from the FSM to work with instead of a low resolution grainy garbage picture that looks like someone scanned a copy of a fax lol.

Diseasel300 · #2 09-28-2017, 10:55 PM

Have you confirmed that the bulbs are good?

Turbo190D · #3 09-28-2017, 11:31 PM

Seems like it would be weird for both of them to be out, but no I haven't replaced them.

Mxfrank · #4 09-28-2017, 11:41 PM

You want to check your fuses more carefully, using the chart printed on the cover of the box. It's possible that both headlights are bad, but the indicator light would also be bad. Also possible that it's the switch. Finally, the bulb sockets themselves are known to fail.

Where I would start is to pull the bulb socket and check to see whether the high beam side is getting power, then go from there.

dieselmania · #5 09-29-2017, 12:06 AM

A quick check of the fuse layout for the w124 shows fuse #15 for high beam left and fuse #16 for high beam right and the dash indicator.

Mxfrank · #6 09-29-2017, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselmania

A quick check of the fuse layout for the w124 shows fuse #15 for high beam left and fuse #16 for high beam right and the dash indicator.

He's driving a 190DT.

dieselmania · #7 09-29-2017, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxfrank

He's driving a 190DT.

oops. Sometimes I assume everyone drives what I drive.

w123fanman · #8 09-29-2017, 10:28 AM

I agree with the above, possibly the bulb sockets if you have US headlights. The pins on 9004? (Can't remember at this point) bulbs are tiny and can't handle the current needed without getting incredibly hot so the sockets tend to melt. You can get replacements at autoparts stores but if I were you, I'd seriously consider spending the money to get some Euro headlights, the output is considerably better.

Turbo190D · #9 10-01-2017, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w123fanman

I agree with the above, possibly the bulb sockets if you have US headlights. The pins on 9004? (Can't remember at this point) bulbs are tiny and can't handle the current needed without getting incredibly hot so the sockets tend to melt. You can get replacements at autoparts stores but if I were you, I'd seriously consider spending the money to get some Euro headlights, the output is considerably better.

Oh really? Interesting. Thanks for the info. It does use 9004 bulbs. Someone has replaced the sockets in the past. The ones they installed look aftermarket. I'll pull the socket loose from the bulb and check with a multimeter to see if the wiring is hot. If it is, I guess that will tell me that you are correct.

Are these "DEPO" lights the way to go for Euro spec? I've heard mention of them in several places here and on benzworld.

Mxfrank · #10 10-01-2017, 04:34 PM

I have them. The fit is VERY tight in the 190. They work fine, but I think they are a bit less bright than stock. They do look a lot better than yellow plastic.

You do have to change the socket to a six pin to install them, because they are set up for city lights. i don't recall the part numbers.

Turbo190D · #11 12-06-2017, 03:17 PM

Just to update if anyone finds this in the future - the problem ended up being in the fuse box. The fuse was fine (which is why it tested good) but the connections that the fuse goes into had corroded or something. I used electrical contact cleaner and a Q-tip to scrub a bunch of crap off of them and it got the lights working properly. I went ahead and cleaned a bunch of the other fuse holders as well.