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 
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:
- Adapt. main beam system inoperative
- Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus Inoperative
- Intell. Light System Inoperative
- Intelligent Light System inoperative
- ILS ohne Funktion
- Intell. Light System ur funktion
- Intell. Light system virker ikke
- Intell. Light system ne fonctionne pas
- Intell. Light System ohne Funktion
- Intell. Light system no funciona
- Intell. Light system guasto
- Intell. Light system functioneert niet
- Intell. Light system nieaktywny
- Sis. Luzes inteliente inoperacional
- Intell. Light System ur funktion
- Front left indicator
- Front right indicator
- Check front left turn signal
- Check front right turn signal
- Front right parking lamp
- Front left parking lamp
- Check Front Left Parking Lamp
- Check Front Right Parking Lamp
- Front left daytime driving lamp
- Front right daytime driving lamp
- Left Dipped Beam
- Right Dipped Beam
- Check Left Low Beam
- Check Right Low Beam
- Left daytime driving lamp
- Right daytime driving lamp
- Parklicht vorne links
- Parklicht vorne rechts
- Blinker vorne links
- Blinker vorne rechts
- Abblendlicht links
- Abblendlicht rechts
- Tagfahrlicht links
- Tagfahrlicht rechts
- Luz estacionamiento delantera izquierda
- Luz estacionamiento delantera derecha
- Luz de cruce izquierda
- Luz de cruce derecha
- Luz de marcha diurna izquierda
- Luz de marcha diurna derecha
- Feu stationnement avant gauche
- Feu stationnement avant droit
- Feu croisement gauche
- Feu croisement droit
- Clignotant avant gauche
- Clignotant avant droit
- Eclairage de jour gauche
- Eclairage de jour droit
- Halvljus vänster
- Halvljus höger
- Parkeringsljus vänster fram
- Parkeringsljus höger fram
- Varselljus vänster
- Varselljus höger
- Medios direita
- Medios esquerda
- Illumin. diurna esq.
- Illumin. diurna dir.
- Prawe swiatlo mijania
- Lewe swiatlo mijania
- Lewe przednie swiatlo parkingowe
- Prawe przednie swiatlo parkingowe
- Lewe swiatlo dzienne
- Prawe swiatlo dzienne
- Lewy przedni kierunkowsk
- Prawy przedni kierunkowsk
- Parkeerlicht linksvoor
- Parkeerlicht rechtsvoor
- Dimlicht rechts
- Dimlicht links
- Dagverlichting links
- Dagverlichting rechts
- Anabbagliante destro
- Anabbagliante sinistra
- Luce diurna SX
- Luce diurna DX
- Luce di parcheggio anteriore sinistra
- Luce di parcheggio anteriore destro
- Parkeringslys foran til venstre
- Parkeringslys foran til hojre
- Blinklys foran til hojre
- Blinklys foran til venstre
- Drejelys til hojre
- Drejelys til venstre
- Kørelys til venstre
- Kørelys til hojre
- Korelys til venstre
- Korelys til hojre
The most common diagnostic trouble fault codes
- B1FB201 The temperature sensor 2 of headlamp range adjustment (HRA/LWR) control modulel is faulty. A general electrical fault exists
- B285711 The output for standing light 1 has a malfunction. There is a short circuit to ground
- B286011 The output for the daytime runniing light has a malfunction. There is a short circuit to ground
- B238601 Fan 1 of the control unit has a malfunction. There is a general electrical fault
- B178387 Right front LED exterior lighting actuation module fault - missing message
- B1FB201 Temperature Sensor 2 of Headlamp range adjustment has a malfunction. There is a general electrical fault
- B238601 Fan 1 of the control unit has a malfunctio. There is a general electrical fault
- B210F14 Input Circuit 30 has a malfunction. There is a short circuit to ground and an open circuit
- B1FB801 Temperature sensor 3 of the control unit Actuation module, LED exterior lighting, left front has a malfunction. There is a general electrical fault
- B1FB801 Right front LED Exterior lighting actuation module temperature sensor 3 fault - general electrical fault
- B285713 The output for standing light 1 has a malfunction. There is an open circuit
- B286013 The output for the daytime running light has a malfunction. There is an open circuit
- U118B00 Communication with Control Unit Right Headlamp Has A malfunction
- U118B00 Communication with Control Unit Right Headlamp Range Adjustment has a malfunction
- U118A00 Communication with control unit Left headlamp has a malfunction
- U118B87 Communication with control unit Right Headlamp range adjustment has a malfunction. The message is missing
- B162E01 Right Low Beam fault - general electrical fault
- B17ED13 The output for the low beams has a malfunction. There is an open circuit
- U120B97 U120B-97 Communication with headlight control unit Limited system operation
- U120B97 Communication with the control unit 'Headlamp' has a malfunction
- B210F14 Input Circuit 30 has a malfunction. There is a short circuit to the ground or an open circuit
- B178313 Control Unit Actuation Modul, Led exterior lightning, the right front has a malfunction. There is an open circuit
- B1783-13 B178313 Control Unit LED Driving Lights Actuation Module has a malfunction. Only Valid with SA Code 640 641 642. There is a an open circuit
- U118B-00 U118B00 Communication with control unit Right Headlamp range adjustment has a malfunction. There is a general failure
Mercedes-Benz cars having ILS headlights
- W246 Facelift
- 2015 2016 2017 2018
- B180 B200 B220 B250 BlueEfficiency 4MATIC Petrol Gasoline
- B160 B180 B200 B220 CDI BlueEfficiency diesel
- CLS C218 Coupe Facelift
- CLS X218 Shooting Brake Facelift
- 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
- CLS220d CLS350d BlueTEC diesel
- CLS400 CLS550 CLS63 AMG Petrol Gasoline
- E class W212 Saloon Sedan Facelift
- 2013 2014 2015 2016
- E class S212 Estate Wagon Facelift
- 2013 2014 2015 2016
- E class C207 Coupe Facelift
- 2013 2014 2015 2016
- E class A207 Convertible Cabriolet Facelift
- 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
- E200 E220d E250d E300 E350d diesel CDI BlueTEC
- E400 E550 4MATIC CGI BlueEFFICIENCY
- Night Edition AMG Line SE
- E300 BlueTEC Hybrid
- GLE W166 Facelift
- 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
- GLE Coupe C292 Coupe
- 2015 2016 2017 2018
- GLE300d GLE350d 4MATIC BlueTEC AMG Line
- GLS X166
- 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
- GLS350d GLS450 GLS500
- Vito W447 Van Bus Tourer 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
- V220d V250d
- W447 EQV Facelift
- 2020 2021 2022 2023
- EQV300 EV Electric Vehicle
- AMG GT C190 R190
- C Class W205 Saloon Sedan Pre-Facelift
- 2013 2014 2015 2016, 2017
- C Class S205 Wagon Estate T-Model 2013 2014 2015 2016, 2017
- C Class C205 Coupe 2013 2014 2015 2016, 2017
- C Class A205 Convertible Cabriolet 2014 2015 2016 2017
- C180d C200d C220d C250d diesel BlueTEC
- C300 C350e Plug-in Hybrid
- C160 C180 C200 C250 C300 C400 C450
- C43 C63 AMG Petrol Gasoline
- 4Matic AMG Line
- S class W222 Saloon Sedan 2014 - 2017
- S400 S500 S550 S600 S63 S65 AMG 4MATIC Petrol Gasoline
- S300h S400h S500e Plug In Hybrid Electric EV
- S350d BlueTEC 4MATIC diesel
- GLC X253 W253 Hatchback 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
- GLC C253 Coupe 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
- GLC220d GLC250d GLC350d diesel BlueTEC 4MATIC
- GLC200 GLC250 GLC300 Petrol Gasoline
- GLC350e Plug-In Hybrid
- GLC43 GLC63 AMG
- 2.0L 3.0L V6 4.0L V8
- AMG Line
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