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7/25/01
- Jon: I have a 1987 Mercedes 300-E (with AMG package) that I
dearly
luv. But I have a problem with the headlights and I need help.
Low beams work fine. But when I switch on the high beams, the head
lights go completely out. Mechanic says the fuses are good, and there
is power to the relays, but he doesn't know why the go out. Any help
would be greatly appreciated. Thanks...Ellen
- Thanks for the email. Most of the time the problem is in the bulbs. I
will
assume that you have changed these already. The second scenario is
that the
plugs for the bulbs have over heated because of the small contact area.
Unplug the socket that connects to the back of the bulbs and look to make
sure there is no melted plastic around the holes for the wire connections.
If you see melted plastic obtain new plugs from NAPA or some other parts
store and rewire them. The third scenario is that the main wiring connection
on the headlight assembly is corroded. Pull the main plug off the back of
the headlight assembly, check to make sure that you are getting power at
least to the plug. Your tech. can use the process of elimination to see
which hole is for the brights using a electrical test light to make sure you
have power that far. The power comes from the lamp control relay located
underneath the cover for your fuse box, remove the screws around the fuse
box to remove the cover. The turn signal arm which switches the power for
the brights works through the relay, then sends the power to the plug on the
headlamp assembly, from there the power is send to the various bulbs,
including the side marker and the fog lights. You can tell which relay it is
after you remove the cover by turning on your hazard lights, the relay will
click. Your problem could be the relay, or where the plug connects to the
assembly. The plug on the headlamp assembly connects to a green connector
mounted in the assembly, most of the time the wires rot off the inside where
you cannot see them. Hope you get it fixed, Let me know, JON
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