Mercedes-Benz Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Convert Low Beam Xenon to Halogen

Jump to Latest
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
P

Paul Nguyen

· Registered
Joined
·
3 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi everyone:

I have a 2004 SLK320 with OEM Xenon low beam headlights. The passenger side low beam is now not working. I have isolated the problem to the headlight assembly unit and the dealer wants $1,500 for the new unit. I did not realize that it's that expensive. I'm thinking about converting both headlights to the non-xenon OEM type (halogen?) hoping that it would be cheaper. I'm asking for your advise and any help you can give me on this subject. Is there a link or previous similar discussion I can look at? How much does it cost for a non-xenon headlight unit and is the electrical conversion simple or very involved? Please help. Thank you very much.
 
#10 ·
Paul Nguyen said:
Hi everyone:

I have a 2004 SLK320 with OEM Xenon low beam headlights. The passenger side low beam is now not working. I have isolated the problem to the headlight assembly unit and the dealer wants $1,500 for the new unit. I did not realize that it's that expensive. I'm thinking about converting both headlights to the non-xenon OEM type (halogen?) hoping that it would be cheaper. I'm asking for your advise and any help you can give me on this subject. Is there a link or previous similar discussion I can look at? How much does it cost for a non-xenon headlight unit and is the electrical conversion simple or very involved? Please help. Thank you very much.
Click to expand...
So is the bulb broken or the ballast? There is no way a replacement bulb or ballast is worth $1500. :eek: You should not need a whole new headlight assembly unless it is totally smashed. Ditch this dealer who is ripping you off and got to someone else who has a clue.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
oztds: The bulb is ok; however, I think the ballast (igniter) is the problem. I thought that it can be replaced, but the dealer said no. Otherwise the whole assemply is intact. Does anyone know how to test/replace the igniter? Like I said earlier, the problem is traced down to the headlight assembly; the wiring/fuse has been checked out ok. Many thanks to you guys.
 
#13 ·
Another ballast should be able to be obtained and fitted without replacing the whole assembly surely. I don't have OEM HIDs but had an aftermarket H7 HID setup fitted and the ballasts were loose. (I now have projectors with H1 HIDs) Have you searched on the Internet for aftermarket parts or even in wrecking yards? Can you post a picture of your OEM HIDs and ballasts so we can see if the connectors are different to after-market ballasts?
Or as suggested, you can replace with the projectors and HIDs for much less than $1500 and give the car a facelift.
 
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
About this Discussion
12 Replies
4 Participants
Last post:
oztds
Mercedes-Benz Forum
posts
7.8M
members
747K
Since
1999
BenzWorld.org forum is one of the largest Mercedes-Benz owner websites offering the most comprehensive collection of Mercedes-Benz information anywhere in the world. The site includes MB Forums, News, Galleries, Publications, Classifieds, Events and much more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
W126 S,SE,SEC,SEL,SD,SDL Class R/C107 SL/SLC Class W163 M-Class W124 E,CE,D,TD Class W210 E-Class