Replacement headlight bulbs
 

Hey gang,

I seem to have a problem about every six months on my '97 W210 E420. The headlight bulbs seems to need replacement a lot. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? The last bulbs I put in were from Kragen Auto Parts and are silver tipped. Supposed to provide more light than the average bulb.

Think I could have a short somewhere? It seems that the wires inside the lamp unit are loosing some of the wire coating due to dry weather here in So Cal. Could they be grounding against something or do I just have *&#@ty bulbs?

Thanks in advance.

What brand bulbs? If they are some Indian or Chinese bulb they probably won't last long. Get some quality ones like SilverStar (Made in USA or Germany)....they will last.

A short would blow a fuse, not the bulb.

Drop by your local dealer and ask them for a copy of Bulletin 82.10/257. It includes a parts list and work instructions for a simple wiring modification that should fix your problem.

I have found silverstars to not last very long. I had them on the ML320 and my van and I was always replacing one here and there. Fortunatley I have had no problems with them in my 420sel.

I've used them in a Toyota Rav4 and put them in our 300E a little while ago.....so far so good....none have blown yet and we use them quite a bit.

Silverstars are shot lived. One lasted about 6 months for me (6000 miles)

Silver star bulbs
 

Yes, I have bought the silver star bulbs. I replaced the original bulb with this kind and they just don't seem to last. I will try the bulletin that you have described. What kind of parts are needed? Is this a DIY?

As a last resort I might have to back to the original but was hoping for a better light.

Thanks. :confused:

It's definitely a DIY job, as long as you know how to do some simple soldering. All you need to do is cut out the original sockets and install the improved ones included in the repair kit. Just make sure to use heat-shrink tubing to protect the solder connections. Don't use electrical tape! A few years back we did lots of these with good results.

Ok this is weird.

I replace the sockets on the headlights and all seemed to be good for awhile. Then no matter what I did, when I switched on the lights the dash would tell me I had a light bulb out (defective bulb). I did I could not get the parking light to stay on even after would replace a bulb, thinking it was bad. I just left it as it seemed that the wiring inside the headlamp itself was detiorating like the '93 and '94 wiring harness, so I thought maybe it was grounding itself. So, I replaced the left headlamp unit and now it is good in the low beam and parking light mode but the high beam triggers the dash again to tell me "defective bulb". Fuses seem to be good.

What is up? This is a new unit! I must have a short somewhere but how can I trace this problem?

I still have the the right side of the car headlamp to replace even though the lights are good on that side, its all about the sheating ont the wiring of the headlamp.

Bump.

Can someone assist in this lighting problem??

That would be Sylvania Silverstars, i.e. a PepBoys special.

If you source Osram Silverstars from Europe, you'll find they last just fine. As does everything from Phillips, too.

Don't put crap 'merikun parts on a fine German vehicle or--surprise, surprise--it will behave like a 'merikun vehicle.

http://www.powerbulbs.com

Not talking about bulbs at this point seem to have a shorts somewhere, I think.

Bump.

Can anyone help me?

Has anyone experience this lighting problem in a W210 before??

No high beam in one headlight even after replacing bulbs!!

Break out the Digital Multimeter
 

And go to work Tracing the Power(Or lack thereof) in the Circuit(s).

HINT: If I'd RePlaced the Headlight Sockets with a SOLDER connection,MYSELF.
Would Not that be the first place I'd LOOK for a PROBLEM ?

(That's Why I'll never work any A+P on an Airframe...I Make Mistakes!)
(AND if Youse SCREW up in the Hanger,NOBODY gets to Walk or Swim back.)

I have replaced the whole headlamp unit eliminating the soldering connections.

You can only get the halogen or Xenon for this vehicle. I went with the stock halogen lamps.