Lighting system in vehicles is more about safety and communication and includes a variety of lights such as dipped headlights, main beam, full beam, sidelights, high beam, low beam etc but most of the drivers hardly know about each of them. By providing all these lights, brand manufacturers including Mercedes Benz try not to only differentiate themselves with competitors within each category and model range but also to focus on consumer safety.
Mercedes Benz introduced dipped beam lights as an added safety feature first on its C-class models W204 S204 and C204, w205 s205 c205 a205 Facelift coupe and E-class W212 S212 A207 C207 and S-class W221 Facelift cars initially into the lower bumper but later on these lights are redesigned within the headlight assembly. However, these lights are a standard now on all Mercedes Benz models made after 2010.
Dipped Beam Headlights
Locating at the front next to the main beam headlights and sidelights, dipped beam also known as low beam lights are designed to add an additional visibility cue when driving during the night time. These lights can be halogen, LED or Xenon depending on your vehicle but Mercedes C-Class range which includes w205 s205 c205 a205 uses LED lights as a distinguishing feature from many other vehicle brands. Dipped beam lights are pointed down towards the road so as to prevent other users on the road from being dazzled with its bright light.
Use of LED in dipped beam has made it easier for car manufacturers to play with different designs while producing a bright white light that doesn’t only produce a bright white light but also prevent glare.
Why dipped beam lights are necessary?
To ensure that you can be seen at night in built-up areas and in dull daytime weather, you must use dipped beam lights. Dipped beams are supposed to be activated when visibility is low, its darker than normal, it’s raining heavily or the weather is foggy to prevent you from being in an accident; even if not required by the law in some of these situations. The main purpose of these lights is not to illuminate road but to ensure a safe drive by increasing visibility of your car on the road. Therefore, it is necessary that your dipped beam lights are always ON during low visible times and you must keep checking them.
Typically, information cluster display a warning message to the driver indicating if there is any problem with dipped beam light. Message displays as:
- Left dipped beam
- Right dipped beam
- Front left indicator
- Front right indicator
- Left main beam
- Right main beam
- Check Left Low Beam
- Check Right Low Beam
- Luz de cruce izquierda
- Luz de cruce derecha
- Abblendlicht links
- Abblendlicht rechts
- Halvljus vänster
- Halvljus höger
- Feu croisement gauche
- Feu croisement droit
What could happen to dipped beam light?
Although the message indicates the problem but it doesn’t define the problem. Anything from failure of bulb to a fused wire or failed LED control module could be a reason for dipped beam to stop working. It is imperative that first you diagnose the faulty component within the system before attempting to the solution. In Mercedes Benz cars C - class models Pre-Facelift (before facelift model from 2014 to 2018) range, this warning message is particularly related to the failure of LED control module so diagnosis should start from checking LED control module also known as LED Ballast.
A2059004230 control unit is a factory fitted LED module component on Mercedes Benz C-class W205 S205 A205 and C205 Pre-Facelift cars with LED high performance headlamps. However, in addition to this category of Mercedes Benz cars, this module is fitted only on LED High Performance headlamps and not a suitable fit for Intelligent Light System (ILS) LED headlamps.
Reasons for failure of LED control module
A very common reason for the failure of LED Ballast is its lifetime. Like every electronic component it has a life and stops working upon completion. However, it depends on the usage of the car as well. Other reasons might include damage to the circuit due to moisture, water or loose fit wirings due to an accident or any other reason.
What should I look for to diagnose problem?
There are a few different symptoms which should be observed in order to identify and make sure the actual problem. If:
- Dipped beam lamps not turn on, left or right and warning message displayed
- LED dipped beams are flickering
- Dipped beam Lights turn on/off and random times
- Left Right Daytime Driving Lamp / Dipped beam doesn't work at all.
For proper diagnosis, first of all it is recommended that you try changing the sides from working to non-working just to ascertain if the problem is with LED bulbs or its control module.
If dipped light illuminates: LED control module is fine, just the bulb gone faulty
If dipped light does not illuminate: LED Ballast has failed
To further inspect LED module, first check this component for any water or moisture damage. If you find any signs, then simply replace it with a new module. But if there are no signs of water damage, check for the fuses because sometimes the moisture may not be visible enough and cause wirings to fuse.
A quick and direct fix to this issue is the replacement of faulty module with a new module. You can buy A2059004230 control unit for Mercedes Benz C-class W205 S205 A205 and C205 Pre-Facelift cars from xenons4u.
Once the replacement is done, error should ideally be gone. This replacement does not require coding for the new component installed.
Can I Change My LED control module Myself?
If you’re confident in doing automotive stuff then yes, you can! You will find a plenty of videos online showing you how to replace a LED bulb or control module of your vehicle so have a search online to see what comes up. If you find it difficult then contact xenons4u. You can find the right control module for your Mercedes Benz and get it replaced with expert technician services.
