w210 Xenon Flickering - OEM parts - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

michakaveli · #1 02-21-2008, 04:59 PM

Folks,

I am in the process of replacing my custom retrofitted Audi D2S projectors from my halogen housings to OEM, D2R lamps, (via transferring internals and ballast from a damaged headlamp to my halogen lamp housings.

In my initial conversion, using Audi projectors, I also used the Hella ballast as the OEM D2R based headlamps use. Although I noticed the driver-side lamp would flicker if the voltage was lower, i.e. 12-12 volts after starting the vehicle. (diesel uses some juice :-) ) Sometimes it would fire up, sometimes flicker for a little until it fired and sometimes flicker and not fire.

I figured that the ballast was on the fritz...

With the same style hardware but different parts ofcourse I am getting the same effect on the driver-side as I was with my prior retrofit. I installed new Philips D2S Ultinon bulbs at the time. I've swapped the bulbs to other side and no real change. I left it alone and ran this setup for about 3 years.

Note: on my old retrofit I noticed that the passenger side would warm up slightly faster and the color output was slightly darker than the driver-side. I always thought this to be the ballast fault.

So.... I am thinking that I may have a corroded ground that needs some TLC.

In addition my vehicle originally came with halogen based units. I have done nothing to the electrical wiring other than increasing the fuses from 10amp to 20 amp I believe. I was under the impression that the wiring for vehicle w/ xenon and w/o was essentially the same, other then the rear axle sensor that controls the auto leveling of the headlamp....

mbdoc · #2 02-22-2008, 07:59 AM

Xenons take less power than halgons.

Normal H7 bulb is rated at 45-55W & most Xenons are rated at 35W.

ptwheatstraw · #3 02-22-2008, 12:49 PM

programming issues.
ck eis programming

michakaveli · #4 02-22-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptwheatstraw

programming issues.
ck eis programming

how do I do that? I would assume I need someone w/ the STAR Diagnostic Tool?

mbdoc · #5 02-22-2008, 02:27 PM

Headlight switch doesn't require programming! Same part for Halogen OR Xenon.

Most likely a problem with the ignitor.

ptwheatstraw · #6 02-22-2008, 02:30 PM

thats it. i had this problem . it is worth the $ to have it cked
this is why i drive my 83 300td

michakaveli · #7 02-22-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.B.DOC

Headlight switch doesn't require programming! Same part for Halogen OR Xenon.

Most likely a problem with the ignitor.

That's what I understood and figured it was the ignitor in the prior ballast, but a completely separate ballast is doing the same stuff.... so I was wondering also where the headlamps are grounded as potentially the ground is corroded...

ptwheatstraw · #8 02-22-2008, 02:36 PM

the headlight sw is not the issue. its the eis
the central gateway for can communication

mbdoc · #9 02-22-2008, 04:59 PM

Yes the EIS is the interior network gateway!

But on that car has nothing to do with lighting.

The ground point for each headlight is below each headlight.

michakaveli · #10 02-25-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.B.DOC

The ground point for each headlight is below each headlight.

Not to sound foolish, but do you know exactly where the lamps ground? I tried to track the wiring from the harness (the ground runs inside the loom of wires and I lost track). There was a common grounding point in front of the Positive jumping post. I removed these wires to no different effect.

I appears that the right side wamrs up faster, but while playing with it tonight, I experienced no flickering...

Any thoughts?