High beam headlight not working.

[yaffilus]

Hi,

I have a 1993 190E 2.3 and I've discovered that the right high beam light has stopped working. When the high beams are turned on, the right headlight turns off completely and doesn't work at all, even though both headlights work when they're in non-high-beam mode.

Is the problem simply that the bulb in the right headlight needs to be replaced? And if so, is this pretty simple to do? Or is this more likely a symptom of a larger problem?

I'm pretty mechanically ignorant already but I'd feel even dumber if I had to pay hundreds of dollars for having a mechanic change a light bulb, when even I might be able to do this on my own. So any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[JoeR]

Likely that the high beam filament is burned out on it.

Each bulb has 2 filaments (high & low).

[yaffilus]

Thanks Joe. Intuitively that sounds right to me since the bulb works fine except when the high beams are turned on.

So if the high beam filament is burned out, would the easiest course of action be to just the replace the whole bulb?

And if so, could I do this myself or should I take it to the mechanic? Seems simple enough just changing a light bulb - as soon as I figure out how to get inside the headlight to the light bulb in the first place!

[menaceboy]

my sister can change headlight bulbs
no offense :P

[yaffilus]

You want to send your sister over? Thanks!

[barry putnam]

[^]you don't need any tools. just open hood look at back on the light and twist the connector off. then pull the bulb off the connector, it has a plastic base. go to store and buy a new bulb. probably an H17. reinstall. note do not touch the glass part of the bulb with your fingers!

[menaceboy]

i thought the U.S. headlamps for the w201 and w124 were 9004 bulbs
and the euro lamp assemblies were h4
correct me if i'm wrong

[E V12 Nerd]

My moms car once had a similar problem. use the fogs if your too lazy to fix it.