Need help

[msc5003]

Hi recently I have bought a 2005 E320 cdi and I went to change the front dip beam headlight bulb to find its not a H7 as stated can anyone help not sure if pervious owner has changed them to HID if so how do I change them back please see photos as I am finding it very hard to replace bulb

 

[BillyBoy]

That's definitely a HID lamp, but are you sure it's a conversion and not original? Does the car have stickers by the headlamps warning 25,000 volts etc? Also, there are several VIN checker apps / sites where you can enter your VIN to see the original build sheet and check. There are a few other indicators of original fitment too. Does the car have headlamp washers? If you point at a wall, do the headlights "scan" up and down before settling when you turn them on? If yes to both of these, likely to be original fitment HIDs.
Finally, if it is an H7 conversion, then unless the previous owner swapped the actual headlamp units, then the bulb holder should still be an H7 holder and the original bulb connector present (probably plugged into the HID conversion) The downside is total lack of space, so may be a bumper off and headlight out job to rectify.

 

[msc5003]

Hi Billy boy thanks for the reply the answer to both your questions is yes the headlights do scan up and down before settling and there is a sprayer/ washer I know the rear lights seem to be sealed and have no access to change bulbs from the boot panel

 

[BillyBoy]

It sounds very much like you have factory fitted HIDs in that case. I'm pretty sure the factory halogens don't scan up and down. Download a VIN decoder on your phone ( on Android, search VIN Decoder for Mercedes Benz) or if you like, PM me your VIN and I'll look it up for you. This will tell you what it left the factory with.

 

[msc5003]

Hi here is my vin WBD2110262A784512 Thanks again

 

[BillyBoy]

Can you double check? I get no results for that, but WDB does come back as a 2005 E Class and does have factory HID headlamps.

 

[msc5003]

Hi sorry you are correct with WDB late 2005 Reg WR55LNZ

 

[BillyBoy]

No problem - I'm pretty sure I've made the same mistake myself in the past as WBD just seems to flow off the tounge . Data sheet attached.

 

[BillyBoy]

Looks like it's a D2S for the dipped beam and H7 for the high beam.

My advice is don't waste money on cheap HID bulbs and be very careful changing them.

 

[msc5003]

Thank you very much for doing this and for the advice which I have taken aboard any light bulb changes will be left to the professionals but it's good to know that the previous owner didn't do a after market conversion once again very much appreciated