Right Side Low Beam Issue

[fherdeg]

I recently purchased my ‘93 500e and both high & low beams were working when I got it . The right side low beam went out 2 weeks ago and I replaced it. It worked fine at first and now the right side low beam is out again. I went through the posts and didn’t see anything on this topic. Does anyone have any idea what might be going on? Maybe it was a bad bulb and I should just replace the light again but wanted to ask first. Thanks in advance.

 

[Glen]

Just the low beam? If the fuse is ok it could just be a bad bulb. If high beam is out too, you may have touched the bulb during installation…this can cause the bulb to crack when it heats up.

 

[gsxr]

Remove the bulb and see if the the bulb has failed already (broken filament). If so, replace again, being careful not to touch the glass with your fingers, as Glen mentioned above.

If the bulb is good, AND your car has USA DOT headlights that use a 9004 bulbs... check and make sure the connector does not look burned / damaged from past use of over-wattage bulbs. See photo below. Hopefully your connector does not look like any of those.

 

[fherdeg]

I removed the bulb again and checked, it appears fine. I installed it (and removed and inspected it) wearing gloves as well so there shouldn't be be any oil on it. I put the MB-specified bulbs in it but I don't know what was used in the past.

The connector does not look though unfortunately. Is it possible that the connector goes bad for the lo beam only and the hi beam still works?

 

[Glen]

Yes, it's possible for just the low beam side of the connector to be bad. Your connector is definitely bad and must be replaced.

 

[gsxr]

Yep, what Glen said. The connector is your problem. It's not sold separately by Mercedes, you'll need to look for aftermarket solutions.

This is typically caused by a previous owner running over-wattage bulbs at some point during the past. With 9004 bulbs, you must use stock 60/55 watt bulbs, nothing more.