I have aftermarket (Eagle Eyes) headlights in my 2005 E500. After a few years the P/S one would only work (when it felt like it) so I bought and installed another. The dim and turn signal wouldn't work so I started trouble shooting. I took the bumper cover the rest of the way off and hooked up the working D/S headlight on the P/S. Now the dims don't work on either side even after switching them back. Headlight fuse (66) and bulbs are good. Googling around I found mention of a SAM (signal activation module) causing headlight problems. What is this? Where is this? Can I see and touch it or can I find it with a code reader? Please help. I don't want to take it to a shop.
Bob Holliston
The SAM is the computer that controls your headlights and a bunch of other things. Actually, there are two SAM's up front, one for the left side, and one for the right side. If the SAM detects a problem with a headlight, it electronically shuts down power to that lamp's circuit. Best thing for you to do is hook up a STAR Diagnostic System (SDS) or similar--basically a good code reader--to it and clear those codes. It ain't like the 1990's-era Honda Civics where you connect it back up and it works. Computers control all this stuff now.
Just a note: Eagle Eyes are made in Red China. Depo headlights are made in Taiwan, which nowadays is way better, so I'd consider the latter if you can.
Just a note: Eagle Eyes are made in Red China. Depo headlights are made in Taiwan, which nowadays is way better, so I'd consider the latter if you can.
They're good cars, no doubt, and that drivetrain will last you until well after after the cows come home. 
This should be an easy fix. Do you have halogens or HID (xenon) headlights?
This should be an easy fix. Do you have halogens or HID (xenon) headlights?
Oh, then this this should be an easy fix.
On the subject, I would suggest you consider the HID upgrade. That's exactly what I did with my E320 CDI, and the improvement is stark. I'm in a suburb where there are plenty of deer, and I love this upgrade. Since this was a factory option for the W211, it's totally legal to do it.
Here's the post describing it.
www.benzworld.org
If this catches your fancy, then there are two ways to do it.
1.) Open up your existing headlamp assemblies and do the conversion. That's what I did with my factory MB halogen assemblies, though I had to do a lot of wire insulation repair. The wire insulation used in that era is crap; it crumbles and flakes off, so I had to fix virtually every wire. Took me a while, and I wouldn't do it again. Your Eagle Eyes assemblies might be friendly to this; I don't know.
2.) Pick up a new set with the HID upgrade already in them. I believe Depo actually has this option for their W211 assemblies. If you go this route, don't buy 'em on FleaBay or Amazon; too many counterfeiters. Go to an actual authorized dealer and get the real thing. For our four W220's, I got ours from Unique Style Racing, which is an authorized dealer.
On the subject, I would suggest you consider the HID upgrade. That's exactly what I did with my E320 CDI, and the improvement is stark. I'm in a suburb where there are plenty of deer, and I love this upgrade. Since this was a factory option for the W211, it's totally legal to do it.
Here's the post describing it.
Headlight comparison - Depo vs. refurbished factory, and...
Hi folks, Earlier this year, I finished refurbishing the headlight assemblies on my 2003 S600 TT. These come with bi-xenons. Unfortunately, due to age and use, the silver-mirroring in the bi-xenon projectors had essentially baked away. Additionally, the lenses were kinda yellowed after 13...
www.benzworld.org
If this catches your fancy, then there are two ways to do it.
1.) Open up your existing headlamp assemblies and do the conversion. That's what I did with my factory MB halogen assemblies, though I had to do a lot of wire insulation repair. The wire insulation used in that era is crap; it crumbles and flakes off, so I had to fix virtually every wire. Took me a while, and I wouldn't do it again. Your Eagle Eyes assemblies might be friendly to this; I don't know.
2.) Pick up a new set with the HID upgrade already in them. I believe Depo actually has this option for their W211 assemblies. If you go this route, don't buy 'em on FleaBay or Amazon; too many counterfeiters. Go to an actual authorized dealer and get the real thing. For our four W220's, I got ours from Unique Style Racing, which is an authorized dealer.
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