Xenon headlights (proper factory ones) - do they have bulbs?

[Ari]

Got in my car tonight only for it to tell me that my nearside headlight is out. Sure enough, it isn't working.

Thing is, my car has factory xenon headlights. Do they actually have bulbs? I've no idea how they work (they look cool though! )

[Magic919]

Something like a bulb, yes.

[sparkyhx]

sort of - its replaceable and its bulb like

[johnthesifu]

Was the xenon pinkish colour before it blew? If not its probably a dodgy ballast. Try switching the bulbs over to check whether its the ballast or bulb.

[Ari]

I've no idea, I never see the outside of the car with the lights on.

It is under warranty (Merc Teir One warranty for used cars) so it will be interesting to see if that covers it. Iguess it won't cover bulbs, but whether a xenon is seen as anything different I've no idea.

[Ari]

Hmmm...

https://www.mercedes-benzwarranty.co.uk/Tier1Summa...

Tier 1 Covers all mechanical and electrical components of your vehicle for defects - except the items listed below:

All service items which will require periodic replacement

Any item that has worn out rather than suffered from a defect after 100,000 miles

Auxiliary drive belts

Brake friction material and discs/drums

Light bulbs and fuses

Diesel glow plugs

Reprogramming/software updates

Hoses, hose clips and connectors

Glass

All hinges

Interior/Exterior trim

Wheels and tyres

Wiper blades

[750turbo]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=772...

Or you could take it to Halfords, as they know how to change "Hot" bulbs without burning themselves...

[ManiacGT]

Pistonheads is going downhill.

[750turbo]

ManiacGT said:

Pistonheads is going downhill.

Do tell...

[lbc]

Xenon bulbs should last the life of the car, but it's not unknown for some to fail.

I have never had to replace a xenon bulb on my 9 year old 160,000 mile car.

[Ari]

750turbo said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=772...

Or you could take it to Halfords, as they know how to change "Hot" bulbs without burning themselves...

That's interesting, thank you. Looks like I'll be shelling out then...

[Impasse]

There's more to the light illuminating than just the "bulb". The ballast units fail just as frequently and should hopefully be covered by your warranty.

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

A pair of replacement D2S bulbs is around £20. No idea is it's a DIY job though- being a Merc I guess it's a main dealer job?

[mcford]

Take it back get them to sort it, warranty or not you should not be paying to have it fixed.

[sparkyhx]

£200 on my Ls430 when I had one replaced.

[Ari]

mcford said:

Take it back get them to sort it, warranty or not you should not be paying to have it fixed.

I like the sound of that but why so? It is a five year old car, would it not be a reasonable expectation of failure at that age?

[Megaflow]

If it's the ballast, that should be covered under warranty. The ballast is effectively a transformer, lifts 12v to the 25kv required by the buld.

To confirm if it is the bulbs, swap them over, if the failure moves it's the bulb, if it doesn't it's the ballast.

If the bulb has gone you can get OE Philips or Osram from HIDs4u.co.uk for £50 inc next day delivery, changing them is no harder than anything other bulb.

[Dodsy]

Mercedes tier1 warranty doesnt cover anything electrical - i know this from recent experience. Worth asking but expect the answer to be no.

[Kolbenkopp]

If it is the bulb (likely) and for the SLK, then not that difficult:

http://slkwiki.com/index.php?title=SLK_R171_Bi-Xen...

Pair of D2S Osrams should be under GBP 100.

[Fox-]

Dodsy said:

Mercedes tier1 warranty doesnt cover anything electrical

Mercedes said:

Tier 1 Covers all mechanical and electrical components of your vehicle for defects