How To Identify Mercedes-Benz Intermittent HID Headlight Issues
High-intensity discharge (HID) headlights sprang into popularity a few years ago. The new design has a much longer lifespan and offers improved light amount and quality. People started installing HID systems into vehicles that weren’t made for these lights as soon as aftermarket kits reached the market, which led to a host of issues and a ton of misinformation.
Drivers all across the world frequently rail against aftermarket HID systems. They frequently beam directly into oncoming lanes, blinding motorists, or sway back and forth. Flickering lights, sporadically functioning bulbs, and abrupt system failure are just a few of the other issues that might occur.
Numerous solutions have been proposed due to the amount of aggravation experienced by drivers and installers who deal with the usual issues with aftermarket HID light packages. Some of the do-it-yourself HID troubleshooting techniques are effective, while others are less so.
This troubleshooting guide was created to assist the typical DIYer or installer who is dealing with issues or wants to install a Mercedes-Benz Intermittent HID headlight system while avoiding typical errors that cause problems.
Problems with Ground Connection
The ground connection should be looked into first. This has to be tightly fastened to a metal structural component of the vehicle. Installers frequently make the error of failing to clean the ground contact point of paint, corrosion, and dirt.
To get clean, shining metal, you should use a wire brush, a grinder, or sanding to remove everything on the surface. Before replacing the bolt or screw, coat the surface with a thin layer of dielectric oil to prevent corrosion and promote good ground.
Instead of modifying the car to accommodate a new ground connection for the headlights, some installers choose to tap into an already-existing ground wire. This strategy does, on occasion, work perfectly but not always.
Improper Crimping Work
You must look at the other connections after ruling out issues with the ground connection. The specific HID headlamp configuration will include at least one power cord that normally makes use of the lamps’ OEM power connections.
Problems are more likely when installers have to replace the stock plug terminals with aftermarket ones. There are a few methods you may use to check for connectivity issues. The first involves just grasping the connector and giving the wire a light twist. If it separates, the connection is weak. Many intermittent light problems, including flickering lights, are caused by loose, improperly made crimp connections.
HID Headlights Bouncing or Shaking
When adding aftermarket HID headlights, this is by far the most annoying problem to fix. The difference in how headlamp housings are constructed is the fundamental problem. In order to focus the light from the halogen bulb, headlights require a thin reflector.
Small electric motors are used in many contemporary automobiles to manually level and steady the light beam. HID headlight projectors weigh a lot more than the original assembly, which is an issue.
The HID assembly’s weight is just too much for the factory self-levelers to support, which leads to the suspension failing. Depending on how the original equipment was built, the solution to this issue may be straightforward or difficult.
Finding a stable mounting solution for the HID light is your best option. This will lessen jiggling and bouncing. Finding a location on the car where straps, hooks, or some other anchoring mechanism can be installed is the key to getting rid of the auto-levelers. You must include a technique for manually adjusting the beam.