[UniquelySanFrancisco]

Hello:

I have a 2002 ML500 with Halogens. I switched them with aftermarket Hella Xenons in 2003. I guess they are the OEM Hella Xenons. Anyhow, the right bulb is now just starting to flicker. The color output is now blue-ish as compared to the left bulb, which is more white. It looks as though the bulb is dying.

What can I do to resolve this problem? I think I need to get a replacement bulb and that should fix it. Can anyone please point me to the right direction? Also, if I do need to replace the bulb, where can I get the replacement?

Any input is totally appreciated! Thank you in advance!

- David

 

[pointman]

Sounds like a bad bulb. Make sure you swap both at the same time, or your color output will almost never be the same again. Aftermarket HID kits are getting less and less dependable lately as companies go under. Did you just install ballasts and bulbs? Or the complete housing with HID's built in?

 

[UniquelySanFrancisco]

OEM Hella

They're the OEM Hella Bi-Xenon with the entire housing. They're from Performance Products. I installed them in 2003. After 4 years, it is now dying.

They're not the cheap aftermarket kit you may be referring to. But thank you for the heads up on ordering a pair instead of one bulb. I think you are right that the color will be impossible to match.

I've checked with Mercedesshop.com and they don't carry the OSRAM D2S 35w 4200K bulbs.

Anyone know where I could get these bulbs besides the dealers? Thanks again.

 

[rp41]

www.xenonvalot.

 

[supradupe]

ebay is your friend. I bought a pair from ebay and it has been working great. Cost me about $60.

 

[JimB]

Hi David

www.authohaaz.com is where i got all my parts. FREE shipping with $50.00 order and no tax either.

 

[AC_ML]

Hella Xenon right bulb is dying. Any input will help lots

The HID bulbs have an average life of around 2,000 to 3,000+ hours. I had my BiXenon lamps first on my former 2001 ML 320 and then I installed them on my 2005 ML 500. I had one of the bulbs began to flicker and had to change it.

Though, the HID bulb on the other side is still working fine and may already have around 4,000+ hours. I always drive with my headlights on.

I bought the OEM HID Osram bulbs from the BMW dealer for $195.00.. Make sure you don't touch the bulb's quartz when you install them or it's life span may be shorter.

Funny thing is that the BiXenon assembly, the one that had the burnt HID bulb, is the same one that I had to reseal because it got all fog out and with large water condensation in it. The light beam became so scattered/diffused that the headlight will not iluminate the road correctly. The seal that joins the clear case and the black casing is poorly/cheaply sealed; it may be a common manufacturing defect..?. I put silicon around the seal of the lens and never again I had any case of fogging in that headlamp. I posted long time ago how I did that repair. I wonder if all that condensation/water causes a reduced bulb life.

There are some other owners that had some of the headlamp ventilation tubes fall down and they think that caused their fogging problems. In my case, it was a poor sealing around the lens/casing.

AC

 

[JimB]

I was thinking those Bi-X we got from PP are all reject for MB use,then they sell it as a surplus they are all made in Mexico. I had to reseal all around edges on mine also, but i did it before i acctually installed it, maybe that's why I didn't have a foggy problem.

 

[supradupe]

JimB it's wise of you to reseal it prior to install. I did the same on my reflector xenon. The easiest way out is to use a hair dryer and warm up the edges (to soften the black tar) then use a lot of small clamps to clamp it down along the perimeter. It worked well, I can tell that the gap between the clear lens and the housing decreased, i.e. better sealing capability. Running a bead of silicone along the perimeter also works too but I prefered the cleaner method.

 

[UniquelySanFrancisco]

this is off topic.....but I stopped using eBay ever since PayPal screw me over on a particular purchase. I bought something from a seller through eBay and paid thru their PayPal system. I never received my purchase from the seller. PayPal would not refund my money. I dispute it with my credit card. Luckily, they gave back my credit. After the refund, Paypal refuse to close my account after requesting them to. They said they'll close it only when I pay them back.

 

[UniquelySanFrancisco]

Hello Jim!

Wow...it's been a long time. How are you? How is your daughter? She must have graduated from Berkeley by now. Congrats!

Anyhow, thank you for your suggestion! Your referral is exactly what I'm looking for. However, I think the correct web address is: Auto Parts at AutohausAZ - OEM Auto Parts - Discount Replacement Parts, Resources and Car Care Tips

I know I've been MIA on this forum for a long time. I just started a family (8 week old baby girl) so I've been pretty tied up. Well, I hope all is well with you and your family.

Thanks again, Jim!

 

[UniquelySanFrancisco]

:: XENONVALOT.COM :: CAR 6000K XENON HID CONVERSION KIT / XENON UPGRADE KIT :: EUROPE - EU

I don't know if I could trust an overseas retailer. Getting stuck at customs is an unnecessary worry I don't want to deal with. Thanks for your input, tho!

 

[UniquelySanFrancisco]

hello AC_ML

It's great to see on this forum still! It's been a long time!

You know...your reply above was copied and paste from your other thread because I remember reading it during my search for past topics on xenon bulbs replace before I made this post.

Anyhow, you're definitely right about condensation and about touching the bulb. I will definitely keep them in mind when I replace the bulbs!

Thanks again.

 

[JimB]

Hi David

glad to hear from you and a BIG congratulations on your baby girl. anyway, yeah my daugther graduated 2 years ago, and now she's on her 2nd year of Podiatric Medicine @ Samuel Merrit College in Oakland. I was in Emeryville when the gasoline truck exploded under the bridge.(McArthur Maze) I bought her a condo near IKEA.

regards,
Jim

and by the way you can browse to BW when your daughter wake you up at 3 AM to feed her. lol j/k
seriously enjoy her while she's a baby.