Xenon head light problem/xenon control unit removal

[Merc E220]

Hello I have a Xenon Head Light which has stopped working on my 2008 Mercedes E220 CDI,

I have checked both xenon bulbs and they both seem ok, but the head light won't work. I think it may be the control unit.


How do I find out what xenon control unit I have on my car, without removing it, And is there only one type for my car or is there a few different ones?
Also is it safe to remove the xenon control unit myself, and is there anything that should be done before removing the unit, for example disconnecting the battery etc?

Also if anyone has a Guide to Removing the Xenon Control Unit that would be great!
Or if anyone has any idea of what the problem may be I would appreciate it.


All suggestions and advice gratefully received

Thank you.

 

[television]

Hello and welcome, there are 2 parts to this the ECU and the igniter ( this is the bit from the ECU to the bulb)

I may have some info on this any chance of the first 6 vin numbers please

 

[Merc E220]

Thank you Malcolm,

First 6 numbers are 211008.

 

[Merc E220]

Hi MB members, I would appreciate it if members would post some ideas I what my head lamp issue might be.

Thanks!

 

[Naraic]

If the bulb is ok...then the ballast is probably duff.

You can get them from MB...expensive, or from Ebay...cheap. Your car probably has D2S bulbs, so find a ballast that operates a D2S bulb...which is probably all of them.

 

[Merc E220]

Thanks, the bulbs are D1S bulbs.

Also I am I right in thinking that as the xenon bulbs get older the out put of the bulbs get weaker, which in turn makes the Ballast unit work harder to generate the required output for the bulb, and which point in order to stop the ballast causing a melt down it has a safety feature which shuts the ballast down.

So could my issue be down to just needing to replace the xenon bulbs??

Just a thought!


Thanks for the reply Naraic

 

[television]

First, no lamps cannot draw more current when old

There is 3 parts to the lamps, the bulb, ECU and ballast/igniter

First try the one that is not working into the one that is, do fit the other bulb back in or damage can be done like catching fire.

if this does not work then change the ballast/igniter over to see, if no joy then the ECU control unit, as above all on Ebay cheap

 

[Merc E220]

Thanks, what do you mean by the ballast/igniter, what part is this?

And when you say ECU do you mean the control unit that sits under the head light?
Also what info did you find by using the first 6 numbers of my VIN?

And do you have a how to guide on removing the control unit?
And is there any safety precautions to take?

sorry about the questions..

Thanks!

 

[television]

OK the lead that plugs into the ecu is the Ballast the ecu is 12 in the picture, this is why I wanted your vin

 

[Merc E220]

I see, would you have a how to guide on removing the ECU/ control unit?
or know where I could get one?

Also is there any safety precautions I need to take?

Thank you.

 

[toby1]

I would imagine disconnecting the battery would be worthwhile - others will confirm

 

[television]

i have a feeling that the headlamp must be removed and this is a bumper off job,, I will check this evening

 

[Merc E220]

First, no lamps cannot draw more current when old

There is 3 parts to the lamps, the bulb, ECU and ballast/igniter

First try the one that is not working into the one that is, do fit the other bulb back in or damage can be done like catching fire.

if this does not work then change the ballast/igniter over to see, if no joy then the ECU control unit, as above all on Ebay cheap

Is this a picture of the ECU head light control unit, under the head light?

(Ignore the Red Square)

 

[television]

Yes that is it

 

[Rappey69]

just curious but how do you know both xenon lamps are ok ?

 

[Merc E220]

Thanks, Rappey,

I have checked both xenon bulbs, The passenger side is the one not working, the drivers side seems fine.
I swapped the bulb from the non working side to the driver's working side, and the bulb was fine.

So it looks like the bulbs are ok.


If the bulb ignitor was faulty would it stop the bulb working altogether?

 

[Daeths]

I had this problem, before you spend money, swap the ignitors (the square box on the end of the bulb. If it still does not work it is most likely the ECU - which mine was (twice, thankfully second unit covered under warranty) and is ridiculously expensive for what it is.

Would stress, I am not technical, but am relaying my experience.

Hope this helps

A

 

[television]

I had this problem, before you spend money, swap the ignitors (the square box on the end of the bulb. If it still does not work it is most likely the ECU - which mine was (twice, thankfully second unit covered under warranty) and is ridiculously expensive for what it is.

Would stress, I am not technical, but am relaying my experience.

Hope this helps

A

Thank you for you post and this is exactly what I asked him to do at the start, and the next move really. Can you get to the connection on the ecu with the lamp in ???

 

[Merc E220]

Thanks for the post Daeths, appreciated!!

Yes as Television says I need to check the ECU/ignitors.

I have asked this a few times but is there anywhere I can get some instructions on the best way to remove the ECU unit, as it is hidden under the head light,
and is very difficult to get at.

Instructions with pics would be ideal.

Many Thanks.

 

[television]

This is where life gets hard as the bumpers have to come off, I can send you this info unless you can just get to the ecu under the lamp