The Mercedes Benz Intelligent Light System (ILS) uses LED adaptive lighting technology to enhance road visibility and make driving in low-light conditions safer. The LED headlights with ILS function helps to illuminate 10m more road than traditional headlamps by using xenon gas discharge headlamps and advanced mechanics to control low and high beam headlight projection. In some models, an active light function also helps to increase the swivel angle of lights when turning corners.

ILS technology has replaced previous generation Xenon and Mercedes Benz Intelligent Light System Inoperative Malfunction Explained

So, how does Mercedes intelligent light system work? Whilst the ILS is usually reliable; it is possible for it to malfunction. An error message will be displayed stating, Intelligent Light System inoperative. If this happens, it is important to understand and rectify the problem even if there is no noticeable difference in headlight performance. Driving without properly functioning headlights is dangerous to all road users and will also result in the car failing its MOT.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced new full LED Intelligent Light System headlights to their new shape cars such as E-class W212 S212 A207 C207 Facelift and W213 S213 C238 A238, B-class W246 W242, C-class W205, S205, A205, C205, CLS C218 X218 C257, GLE ML GLE W166, Vito W447, Sprinter W906, S-class W222, G-class W463, GLC W253 X253 Hatchback C253 Coupe and many other models.

ILS headlamps are factory fitted not for all mercedes cars, it depends on the specification, but we always recommend to upgrade halogen or standard led for Full LED Intelligent Light system headlights, as it will increase visibility at dark time of the day with extreme bright light on the road and of course will enhance the look of the car, specially at the night time you will be amazed how nice your car looks.

The most common cause of a Mercedes Intelligent Light System malfunction is due to a fault with the control module. The control module, LED controller or ballast is an essential component of the Mercedes ILS as it controls the car's main beam functions. Without a fully functioning control module, the Intelligent Light System will not work properly, and the benefits of the system will be ineffective.

Sometimes when module fails it pops out warning light message "check right left front headlamp" and it might cause LED daytime running lights (stripes) stop to work as well.

How to fix Intell. Intelligent Light Inoperative Malfunction ?

When this kind of error message pops-out on your mercedes dashboard, it means that car has detected some kind of malfunction within headlights and ILS function won't work anymore, causing automatic lights, Daytime Running Lights, front LED turn signal (indicator) or low (main), high (dipped) beam to stop working properly as it is supposed to, additionally adaptive lights and automatic light levelling may not work as well.

The main cause of  intelligent light system malfunction is damaged or faulty Continental LED Control unit also known as ballast or either controller.

ILS LED headlights always have two modules per side, one is for powering up and converting power to make LED lights work it is called as voltage converter, it is always smaller in size and length and other one is much more longer shape and it is responsible for Intelligent Light system functions, low and high beam, adaptive function.

Once you replace LED control unit and do coding using MB Star Xentry diagnostics tool,as it is mandatory for all ILS headlamps, this fault code will go away and lights start to properly.

Why LED control units fail ?

Like every other part on the car it has it's life time and it is normal to fail, usually control units, modules and ballasts have factory tested lifespan of 2000 working hours,  but in mostly cases it lasts much more longer.

Another very common issue why LED modules are failing is moisture or damage to the part after accident. It is very important to make sure your car is in top-notch condition, especially places around the headlight units, because for example if you have missing or damaged front arch protection cover you must to fix or install missing one as soon as possible, otherwise moisture and water will destroy module, maybe not instantly, but within few months for sure.

In such cases, it is best to seek out genuine, compatible parts sourced from reputable sellers. Buying cheaper parts sourced from disreputable sellers may end up causing more damage to your car's headlights and cost more to fix in the future. You will typically be looking to replace a Mercedes ILS control unit with a genuine Mercedes compatible LED control module. These may sometimes be called a Continental LED Control Module, ballast or a voltage converter. When the faulty control module is replaced with a compatible one, your Intelligent Light System will be back to 100% functionality.

Below you will find a list of many different OE mercedes-benz, continental and lear part numbers, which we can supply or stock at our shop to replace, some of them we have are genuine parts and some high quality aftermarket replacements made up to oem standards.

In addition when Intelligent lights have malfunction it might trigger the following warning messages on car's dashboard:

  • Adaptive Headlights Inoperative
  • Intell. Light System inoperative
  • Intelligent Light System inoperative
  • Adapt. main beam system inoperative
  • Intell. Light Sys. System inoperative
  • Front right parking lamp
  • Front left parking lamp
  • Left daytime driving lamp
  • Right daytime driving lamp
  • Front left turn signal
  • Front right turn signal
  • Parklicht vorne links
  • Parklicht vorne rechts
  • Blinker vorne links
  • Blinker vorne rechts
  • Abblendlicht links
  • Abblendlicht rechts
  • Blinker vorne links
  • Blinker vorne rechts
  • ILS ohne Funktion

Mercedes-Benz cars having ILS headlights:

  • B class W246 W242 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
  • B class B160 B180 B200 B220 B250 BlueEFFICIENCY 4MATIC CDI
  • CLS class C218 X218 2011 2012 2013 2014 with LED HIGH PERFORMANCE headlamps
  • CLS class W218 C218 X218 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
  • CLS class CLS350 CLS400 CLS500 CLS63 AMG CLS220 CLS250 CLS350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY BlueTEC
  • C Class W205 Saloon Sedan 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 2018 2019
  • C Class S205 Touring Estate 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 2018 2019
  • C Class C205 Coupe 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 2018 2019
  • C Class A205 Convertible Cabriolet 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
  • C Class C180, C200, C220, C250, C300, C350, C45 AMG, C63 AMG, BlueTec, 4Matic
  • E Class W213 S213 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
  • S Class W222 X222 2017, 2018, 2019
  • E Class Coupe C238 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
  • E Class Convertible A238 2017, 2018, 2019
  • E Class E200 E250 E300 E350e Hybrid E400 E450 E43 E53 E63 AMG
  • E Class E200d E220d E300d E350d E400d 4Matic
  • E class W212 Facelift Saloon Sedan
  • E class S212 Facelift Estate Wagon 2013 2014 2015 2016
  • E class C207 Facelift Coupe
  • E class A207 Facelift Convertible Cabriolet 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
  • E class E200 E220 E250 E300 E350 E400 E550 4MATIC CGI BlueEFFICIENCY CDI BlueTEC
  • GLE ML W166 2015 2016 2017 2018
  • GLE Coupe C292 2015 2016 2017 2018
  • GLS GL X166 2015 2016 2017 2018
  • GLC X253 W253 Hatchback 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
  • GLC C253 Coupe 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
  • GLC63 AMG GLC43 AMG S GLC300 GLC350e 4Matic GLC250 GLC200 GLC350d GLC250d GLC220d
  • CLS Class Coupe C257 2018, 2019
  • G Class W463 2018, 2019
  • SLK-class R172 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
  • SLK SLK200 BlueEFFICIENCY SLC200 SLK250 CDI SLK300 SLK350 SLK55 AMG
  • S Class C217 Coupe 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
  • S Class A217 Cabriolet Convertible 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
  • S Class W222 Saloon Sedan 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
  • Vito W447 Van Bus 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
  • Sprinter W906 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Mercedes-Benz part numbers:

  • A2059006905 - A205 900 69 05
  • A2059005716 - A205 900 57 16
  • A2059005110 - A205 900 51 10
  • A2059008604 - A205 900 86 04
  • A2059004330 - A205 900 43 30
  • A2229008105 - A222 900 81 05
  • A2229000806 - A222 900 08 06
  • A2229004505 - A222 900 45 05
  • A2229006610 - A222 900 66 10
  • A2189006604
  • A2189009904
  • A2129005424
  • A2129008222
  • A2189000406
  • A2189007306
  • A2129005311
  • A2129008324
  • HW: A2139017900
  • SW: A2139022703
  • SW: A2139026106
  • HW-NR A2059013203
  • SW-NR A2229024107
  • HW-NR A2059011305
  • SW-NR A2229021114
  • HW-NR A2059011305
  • SW-NR A2229022205
  • HW-NR A2189012101
  • HW-NR A2189012501
  • SW-NR A2189025303
  • HW-NR A2129014406
  • SW-NR A2129024908
  • SW-NR A2129024008
  • SW-NR A2129020205
  • HW-NR A2229012900
  • SW-NR A2229022900
  • HW-NR A2189012401
  • SW-NR A2189025308
  • HW-NR A222 901 42 01 A2229014201
  • SW-NR A212 902 40 08 A2129024008
  • SW-NR A2189026201
  • SW-NR A2129028707
  • SW-NR A2189027901
  • SW-NR A2189025403
  • A2189008108
  • HW-NR A2189012501
  • SW-NR A2189021706
  • A2139005206
  • A2139006104
  • HW: A2139015303
  • SW: A2139023302
  • A2229008812
  • HW: A2229010305
  • SW: A2229028311
  • A2139003911
  • A2059006905 - A205 900 69 05
  • A2059005716 - A205 900 57 16
  • A2059005110 - A205 900 51 10
  • A2059008604 - A205 900 86 04
  • A2059004330 - A205 900 43 30
  • A2189007206
  • A2129005324
  • A2129008122
  • A2129008224
  • A2129005211
  • A2129003417
  • A2229003600
  • A2229004812 - 504212R13 - 504212R14
  • A2229000702 - 504212F07 - 504212F03
  • HW: A2229017901
  • SW: A2539028900
  • HW: A2229017901
  • SW: A2539020200
  • A2539000700 - 504211F03
  • HW: A2539010500
  • A2539007000 - 504211F07 - 504211R14
  • A2539050900 - 504111F03
  • A2059004230
  • HW-NR A2059011205
  • A2229000115
  • HW-NR A2229013403
  • A2479004104 A2C7530782200
  • HW-NR A2479018302
  • SW-NR A2479026401
  • A2479001702 - A247 900 17 02
  • A2479000202 - A247 900 02 02
  • A2479003603 - A247 900 36 03
  • A2479003403 - A247 900 34 03
  • A2479003904 - A247 900 39 04
  • A2239001521 A2239011613 A2239022612
  • A2239007718 A2C76025416
  • A2139007933 A2139015314 A2139025123
  • A2239005220 A2239011313 A2239022612
  • A2139003133 A2139013614 A2139027022
  • A2139003233 A2139013714 A2139027022
  • A2479004104 A2479018302 A2479026401
  • A2069002605 A2069015504 A2069026601
  • A2069003908 A2069012105 A2069025302
  • A2239009015 A2239018205 A2239024308
  • A2189008108 A2059009534 A2139002334
  • A2139002434 A2139002433 A2139002534
  • A2139002634 A2139002734 A2139002834
  • A2139003133 A2139003233 A2139005035
  • A2139007833 A2139007933 A2479002113
  • A2479002213 A2479002810 A2479002910
  • A2479004105 A2479004205 A2479004807
  • A2479004907 A2139002634 A2139002834

Continental and LEAR part numbers:

  • A2C73927609 A2C73610905
  • A2C74252905 A2C73610906 A2C74767504
  • 50DF11F06 E02 PXL213
  • 50DF12F04 E01 PXL2 50DF11F08
  • 5C6111F01 A2C73613507 A2C73943112
  • A2C73943109 A2C74913005 A2C73680105
  • A2C30752305 A2C73680104 A2C74767503
  • A2C73610904 A2C74252903 A2C74767506
  • HLI Max PSI LCU PXL2 Plus
  • PXL213 A2C73927612 73927612