2003 SL500 R230 - Dipped Headlamp Fault

[kevh]

Can anyone please suggest a solution to my problem. - I have an intermittent issue with my Left dipped headlight. There are times when them the lamp does not illuminate when switched on, and I also get a fault message on the multi function display. In the past this has eventually rectified itself without any intervention whatsoever. My problem is that the car is booked in for MOT on Thursday 24th May, so I need to make sure that the lamp works. The car has bi-xenons (option 618).

 

[EmilysDad]

Could be the 'bulb' or the ballast, though bulbs tend to go gradually & turn pink first.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Classic ballast failure...

 

[star]

Or N/s front sam?

 

[Craiglxviii]

Or N/s front sam?

Shhh I’m trying to keep his morale up!!

 

[kevh]

Thanks Guys,

Where can i find the ballast and is it easy enough to replace. An idea of cost would be useful. What is sam?

 

[EmilysDad]

Thanks Guys,

Where can i find the ballast and is it easy enough to replace. An idea of cost would be useful. What is sam?

SAM .... Signal Acquisition Module ... an expensive box of electrickery

 

[star]

Thanks Guys,

Where can i find the ballast and is it easy enough to replace. An idea of cost would be useful. What is sam?

Guessing is not a good idea with fault finding.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Ns front Sam was my first thought......seeing as I had that issue on mine too...corroded fuse box didn’t help either

 

[kevh]

Guys,

SAM sounds expensive - can anyone give me an idea of cost?

I'm going to go down the cheaper route by replacing the ballast. Can anyone advise me how I find the ballast/how to replace it and how much its likely to cost me. Thanks

 

[EmilysDad]

Guys,

SAM sounds expensive - can anyone give me an idea of cost?

I'm going to go down the cheaper route by replacing the ballast. Can anyone advise me how I find the ballast/how to replace it and how much its likely to cost me. Thanks

The ballast is what powers tho bulb, so follow the wir8ng back. Swap the ballasts over & see if the fault moves.

 

[00slk]

Good call to try the right hand ballast first, if they are like my Laguna and Jag the ballast's were under the headlight.
Renault cost £388, Jag was £275, needless to say I purchased to S/H ones for £88. I know not much help for you but Mercedes parts will be priced a bit more

 

[John Laidlaw]

Guys,

SAM sounds expensive - can anyone give me an idea of cost?

I'm going to go down the cheaper route by replacing the ballast. Can anyone advise me how I find the ballast/how to replace it and how much its likely to cost me. Thanks

My SAM IIRC was c£300 (going back a couple of years and don’t have the files any more!), obviously plus labour to fit if you don’t do it yourself. I was pleasantly surprised when it did not need coded on Star