W210 parking light failure / New front lamp wire Harness
 

Hi Folks,
I had a failure of my front passenger side-parking bulb. Replaced bulb and still no light.

Then remove the front lamp assembly wire harness since there was a short circuit on that bulb. Cut off and replace what appears then as a ‘bad portion’/shorted section of the wire. Put it back, light comes on. but it is brighter than the other side.

On closer examination, I discovered that there is a diode or resistor on the cut off wire and not just a rusted wire.

This lead to ask these questions:
1.) Does anybody know what this thing is?.
2.) Having one side of the parking bulb brighter than the other cause any harm?
3.) Can I buy a new wire harness or I have to buy the complete front lamp housing assembly?
I do appreciate any help on this matter

CAn you put the diode back in the new harness? If so I would go ahead and do it rather than buy a new one. If it was in there from the original harness my guess is it is in there for a reason, such as the lamp failure system or something. A Diode only allows current to flow one direction, so that would tell me that it is there to keep the bulb filament from causing a detected short in the system. Good luck!

You removed it from the wiring inside the headlight housing, correct?

I can find no reference to anything like what you described in the schematics I have.

What is it: doide or resistor?
 

Yes, I removed the whole wire harness from the lamp assembly. Hooked the meter to it and there is no voltage to the bulb. so the diode/resistor is dead. I do not know if it is a diode or resistor. For me to put it back on the wire, I need to know what it is and the rating or part number.

I know it is performing some function otherwise it would not be there.
I sure hate to buy a new wire harnes, if it is available separately, when I can simply replace a $0.05 diode/resistor on the wire.

Have you done a search yet? This was recently discussed at length by Gilly (as I recall).

400E,
I did search on parking + bulb +light. Tons of stuff but no right pointers on the subject.

Can you traceback the correct thread.

Thanks

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=113857&highlight=parking+light


See if this helps.

400E,
That linkwas so helpful. Seems like the same parking light bulb problem.
I will call the dealer tomorrow to see if they have a solution for me.
Thanks for the help.

If you just hardwired where the diode burned out (seen this once before BTW) you could buy the kit I mentioned in the other thread and just plug it into the side that is now straight-wired.
Gilly

Gilly,
Yes, I straight wired the burnt-out diode and I was hoping to order the 210-540-55-33 kit to replace it. But alas the dealer wants $129 for the kit.

Do you know what this kit contains? The parts guy does not have the diagram/picture, just price. I am kinda shy to pay $129 for a straight wire with a diode in the middle or is this my rude welcome to MB repair world. Well, she's (E320) been a good gal this far!!

Any hints?

Contains 2 pigtails, 2 bulb sockets for the small halogens, the 2 small halogen bulbs, and for the non-Xenon cars it includes a pair of headlamp bulbs (low beam). You could order a Xenon kit, it doesn't include the low beam bulbs, should be less, or try to determine a part number for the pigtail only, or try to determine what the resistor value is and solder one back in.

Gilly

This Works for Me... Every Time
 

About once every 5 months or so, one or the other of my parking light bulbs goes out and I get that same problem on my '97 E300D. I replaced the bulb the first time and about 5 months later, it went out again (passenger side). I bought another bulb, and in frustration knocked sharply on the lens with the lights on... the bulb came on and didn't fail for at least another 5 months.

Looks like I may have a problem with that socket because when I tested the bulb I had previously replaced, it showed the same resistance as a new bulb. But one or two sharp knocks on the lens brings it back to life every time.

I guess the movement of changing that bulb the first time "simulated" the knock<g>!