Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-08-2002, 08:35 AM
100lobstahs
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
headlight problem 124 (300te wagon)

I get a problem light on the dashboard and the driverside's headlight burns dim on low but ok on high beam. Replaced the bulb, but didn't change anything. The connector plugs on both sides look a little punky with hard yellowish stuff in and around the sockets. Is the connector the culpirit? Thanks

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-08-2002, 11:35 AM
it leaks, its german
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: raleigh nc
Posts: 1,111
connector, ground and fuse would be my first look.



Joe
__________________
Project Smoker, '87 603 powered wagon
Hauler, 96 CTD can you say torque?
Toy 73 Cougar xr7 convertible
Acme Automotive Inc.
Raleigh NC
919-881-0364
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-11-2002, 04:04 AM
renok7's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Montréal
Posts: 95
I have a `93 300E and recently had a similar problem. I changed the bulb connectors (inexpensive) and all is well now.
__________________
Reno

'93 300E 4Matic
'98 Nissan Altima
'00 Yamaha Road Star Silverado
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-03-2003, 10:46 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Ontario
Posts: 37
Question

Hi Reno,

Did you change the connector yourself? Was it difficult?

Thanks in advance.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-03-2003, 03:15 PM
csnow's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Mass
Posts: 1,127
I had the same exact problem with molten connector plugs.
Headlights go dim. Wiggle the connector, and they brighten again, at least for a while.
These things are incredibly weak from the factory.
I should have snapped a picture.
Check the connectors on any other car and compare how much more beefy the terminals are. Very unusual for MB to have under-built components like this. My car even has stock bulbs. High-wattage bulbs would melt them for sure.

Easy fix! Autozone and NAPA both sell replacement 9004 connectors. I used the Autozone ones because they were in stock, and found they are much beefier than the MB ones.
I think they were around $4 each. I suggest soldering them on, and sealing the soldered joints with heat-shrink tubing.

This is how I did it:
1) Remove factory connector from bulb base.
2) Note the position of each wire in the factory connector by its color. I drew a little sketch.
3) Cut wires where they come out of factory connector.
4) Strip wire ends 1/2 inch.
5) Cut 1 inch strips of heat-shrink, and slide one onto each wire on the new connector (away from the soldering area).
6) Twist new connector wires onto factory wires, being careful to match them up correctly, and fold flat.
7) Solder the wire joint.
8) Slide the heat shrink tubing over the wire joint, and shrink (I use one of those fire-starter butane lighters for this step).
9) Put a small dab of grease on each terminal, just for good measure, reassemble, ...and let there be light!

Best of luck.
__________________
1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.

Last edited by csnow; 04-03-2003 at 04:17 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-03-2003, 04:10 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Ontario
Posts: 37
Thumbs up

CSNOW, thank you so much for the detailed and quick reply.

How can one drives a MB without this Forum!!!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-11-2009, 12:55 PM
Oldwolf's Avatar
124.128/602.962/722.418
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,017
Quote:
Originally Posted by csnow View Post
I had the same exact problem with molten connector plugs.
Headlights go dim. Wiggle the connector, and they brighten again, at least for a while.
These things are incredibly weak from the factory.
I should have snapped a picture.
Check the connectors on any other car and compare how much more beefy the terminals are. Very unusual for MB to have under-built components like this. My car even has stock bulbs. High-wattage bulbs would melt them for sure.

Easy fix! Autozone and NAPA both sell replacement 9004 connectors. I used the Autozone ones because they were in stock, and found they are much beefier than the MB ones.
I think they were around $4 each. I suggest soldering them on, and sealing the soldered joints with heat-shrink tubing.

This is how I did it:
1) Remove factory connector from bulb base.
2) Note the position of each wire in the factory connector by its color. I drew a little sketch.
3) Cut wires where they come out of factory connector.
4) Strip wire ends 1/2 inch.
5) Cut 1 inch strips of heat-shrink, and slide one onto each wire on the new connector (away from the soldering area).
6) Twist new connector wires onto factory wires, being careful to match them up correctly, and fold flat.
7) Solder the wire joint.
8) Slide the heat shrink tubing over the wire joint, and shrink (I use one of those fire-starter butane lighters for this step).
9) Put a small dab of grease on each terminal, just for good measure, reassemble, ...and let there be light!

Best of luck.
How are those Autozone 9004 connectors holding up? It's been over 6 years since you put them in.
__________________
1993 W124 300D 2.5L Turbo, OM602.962
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2.4L DOHC
2002 Ford Explorer, 4.0L SOHC
2005 Toyota Prius, 1.5L

http://www.fuelly.com/sig-us/40601.png
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-12-2009, 12:00 PM
csnow's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Mass
Posts: 1,127
"How are those Autozone 9004 connectors holding up? It's been over 6 years since you put them in."

Never had another problem with the lights, though I sold the car last year.
__________________
1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-12-2009, 12:20 PM
Oldwolf's Avatar
124.128/602.962/722.418
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,017
Good to know. When I was at Autozone last night they pointed out a pair of Heavy Duty High Temperature 9004 connectors. I got those instead and installed one of them last night. The other OEM connector looked fine so I kept the extra connector as a back up.

__________________
1993 W124 300D 2.5L Turbo, OM602.962
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2.4L DOHC
2002 Ford Explorer, 4.0L SOHC
2005 Toyota Prius, 1.5L

http://www.fuelly.com/sig-us/40601.png
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:35 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page