Zenon headlight replacement with standard 05 CDI - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #1 09-26-2018, 08:34 PM

I have a Zenon bulb out on my '05 CDI. The cost for just the bulb is $125. I have a set of regular headlight assemblies. Will the wire connectors work for either headlight assembly? The message on the instrument cluster says "Headlight Cornering". When I turn on the headlights, one shines like it should, the other is dim and slightly red colored. I tried the ballast on the other light, and it works. I assume the bulb is bad, and not the ballast. Anyone have any thoughts?

dieselbenz1 · #2 09-26-2018, 09:22 PM

Several years ago I helped a friend sort out his burn out lamp. My thoughts what a pain. Here's what I recall, no physical fuse rather its a software fuse within the ecu, lamp requires ballast, ignitor and bulb which all must be compatible he burned through several hundred finding that out. In the end it was a broken wiring harness.

chronometers · #3 09-26-2018, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I have a Zenon bulb out on my '05 CDI. The cost for just the bulb is $125. I have a set of regular headlight assemblies. Will the wire connectors work for either headlight assembly? The message on the instrument cluster says "Headlight Cornering". When I turn on the headlights, one shines like it should, the other is dim and slightly red colored. I tried the ballast on the other light, and it works. I assume the bulb is bad, and not the ballast. Anyone have any thoughts?

Sounds like the bulb is bad. Mine turned purple and dimmed. Usually these are replaced in pairs. The star software we will show how many hours are on each bulb.

ROLLGUY · #4 09-26-2018, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chronometers

Sounds like the bulb is bad. Mine turned purple and dimmed. Usually these are replaced in pairs. The star software we will show how many hours are on each bulb.

Come to think of it, it was more purple than red. I will try to find a bulb in a wrecking yard. I don't want to pay $100+ for one.

ROLLGUY · #5 09-26-2018, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselbenz1

Several years ago I helped a friend sort out his burn out lamp. My thoughts what a pain. Here's what I recall, no physical fuse rather its a software fuse within the ecu, lamp requires ballast, ignitor and bulb which all must be compatible he burned through several hundred finding that out. In the end it was a broken wiring harness.

So I probably would not be able to put regular Halogen headlights in without a lot of grief?

pimpernell · #6 09-27-2018, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I have a Zenon bulb out on my '05 CDI. The cost for just the bulb is $125. I have a set of regular headlight assemblies. Will the wire connectors work for either headlight assembly? The message on the instrument cluster says "Headlight Cornering". When I turn on the headlights, one shines like it should, the other is dim and slightly red colored. I tried the ballast on the other light, and it works. I assume the bulb is bad, and not the ballast. Anyone have any thoughts?

This might give you some useful info:

https://www.youcanic.com/guide/mercedes-hid-xenon-headlight-light-bulb-replacement

dieselbenz1 · #7 09-27-2018, 09:49 AM

My guess would be it would cause total grief to swap over. We had tried to verify voltage to both the good lamp and non working lamp by unplugging each supply yet could not measure any voltage, so we had concluded the ecu expects some sort of minimum load after maybe milli seconds to continue supplying voltage.

ROLLGUY · #8 09-27-2018, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pimpernell

This might give you some useful info:

https://www.youcanic.com/guide/mercedes-hid-xenon-headlight-light-bulb-replacement

I tried everything outlined in the article. I know the igniter/ballast is good, because I switched it to the other side. This car was in a side collision, and I assume that is why the bulb is bad.

Frank Reiner · #9 09-27-2018, 11:12 AM

Assuming that the bulb is a D2S, it is surprising that "chronometers" did not mention this thread:

https://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/395221-bi-xenon-bulbs-w211-good-price-i-think.html

chronometers · #10 09-27-2018, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Reiner

Assuming that the bulb is a D2S, it is surprising that "chronometers" did not mention this thread:

https://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/395221-bi-xenon-bulbs-w211-good-price-i-think.html

Well, I figured, it would have already been seen. I'd recommend picking up this set of bulbs from Germany:

Set of bulbs from Germany

While I waited, I got a used bulb for $18 and it worked fine. Still this is so easy to get and a good price.

ROLLGUY · #11 09-27-2018, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chronometers

Well, I figured, it would have already been seen. I'd recommend picking up this set of bulbs from Germany:

Set of bulbs from Germany

While I waited, I got a used bulb for $18 and it worked fine. Still this is so easy to get and a good price.

(for others)

Thanks for the link. That is a great price, but I found an even better price on Amazon. Yes they are probably made in China, yes they probably won't last as long as the German made bulbs, but they have a 2 year warranty. For only $16.99 delivered, I can replace them twice more in the next 6 years, and still be ahead. Also, I will have them Saturday. Thanks, Rich

ROLLGUY · #12 10-01-2018, 01:46 PM

I got the bulbs today. We shall see how they work, and for how long. The packaging looks very professional, and of good quality, so I assume the packaged product is quality as well.

renaissanceman · #13 10-01-2018, 01:57 PM

I got these for my Volvo, and I believe the CDI takes the same bulb (D2S):

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/FREE-SHIPPING-D2S-100-High-quality-2pcs-lot-D2S-35W-12V-Car-HID-D2S-Xenon-Bulb/32814864602.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.60b84c4dFs3R0v