New customer rolled in with 2003 Mercedes e320. Right head lamp out...stopped by cop.....she previously had local NAPA install new bulb...still not working...I found no power to bulb and no fuses blown anywhere. ( Under hood, in side panel and trunk.)

Test light proved no voltage to socket...btw... NAPA had mistakenly re installed old blown bulb.... Doh ! Tried the new one...no change.

Is there a bulb controller like the BMW somewhere or am I looking at doing some detective work.

Have checked the front and there are no signs of crash damage or repainted panels.

Any ideas folks ?

2001 E320 W210 HEAD LIGHT OUT
REPLACE BULB BOTH SIDES H7 , ALSO FOG LIGHT OUT, CLEAN PLUG IN CONTACTS AND NEW BULB, REMOVE TWO BOTTON PANELS

Well, on that car and MOST MB's after 2000...there is a control unit for the lights in the front fuse box, MB calls it the front "SAM" (signal activation module).

A code in that module should show where the problem lies.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Thanks for the information . I looked for a module like the BMW type in the under hood fuse housing. There is nothing that lookes like a module.

There is a small relay at the front and a few multi pin wire connectors and then the fuses.

Any pointers to the location of said H/L relay ?.

"2001 E320 W210 HEAD LIGHT OUT
REPLACE BULB BOTH SIDES H7 , ALSO FOG LIGHT OUT, CLEAN PLUG IN CONTACTS AND NEW BULB, REMOVE TWO BOTTON PANELS "

RAYMOND...is this suggesting I replace both bulbs ? Need a little better explanation of what this means.

The drivers side head lamps, hi and lo are all operational.

2001 E320
CHECK THE GRN WIRE, THE MERCEDES SHOP BANG ON THE LIGHT MY FOG LIGHT WAS WORKING AT TIMES AT THE MERCEDES SHOP, I REMOVE THE TWO BOTTOM PANELS AND FOUND THE PLUG CONTACT USE CONTACT CLEANER, THE LEFT H7 HEAD LIGHT WAS OUT REPLACE AND A WEEK LATER THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT OUT, REPLACE

Like I said....SAM controls the lights...if there was a replacable relay, I would have said so.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Sorry MB DOC...didn't mean to step on your toes.

Would the SAM not run just one head lamp though ?

Thank you RAYMOND.

BTW...Notice you use CAP's a lot...any reason why ? Anyway...I will trace the wiring back to the SAM later and report back.

...My 'Mercedes' Snap-On is only through 2000 yr. Am updating it soon, although am looking at the LaunchX for better interrogation of Mercedes.
World Pac does them I believe.