K5 forum is not the first place you would think to ask about a Mercedes, but that is a fairly mild deviation compared to some questions that get answered around here......
So, here goes...
1998 M320 four wheel drive SUV. The headlights have two bulbs in the center. An H1 for the high beam, and an H7 for the low beam. They are behind a plastic panel in the back of the headlight assembly.
There is also a large rubber cap towards the outside of the unit. Behind it is a socket for a third bulb with capped off wires. From time to time, I would think about finding a bulb to fit and see what would happen, but never did.
Then, coming home the other day, I dodged 4 out of 5 deer as they ran across the road........
Not all in a bunch, one at a time over about an hour's drive. The darn 5th one, I actually dodged, but she turned around and ran back into the left front of the car.
Minor dent in the wheel well, which I will clean up and will be almost invisible, some trim damage, but her head swung around and broke out the left front headlight lens.
Like my luck usually runs, that very day I had bought some polishing wax and a pad to buff out those lights because they were getting so yellow it was hard to see at night.
So, ordered two new assemblies, installed them yesterday. These have the third bulbs in them wired up to the main harness. This car has one plug for both headlights off to the side, and has the wires for the third bulb in there also.
That bulb is behind a completely different lens pattern than the regular bulbs.
Not sure if its a fog light, driving light, or a daytime running light. But, since its a 55 watt H1, I doubt its a DRL.
Got the two new assemblies installed, that bulb does not come on in any way I can figure out.
The newer cars had a driving/fog light switch on the dash. Some of the Mercedes forums talk about having to take it to a dealer and having that bulb function activated in the computer.
But, I do not seem to have a switch. My headlight switch is on the turn signal stalk, and does have a position that does not seem to do anything. Forward one click is parking lights, two clicks is headlights. But you can turn it one click backwards from off, but nothing happens.
All the fuses in the box that pertain to lighting are there.
I doubt that it is a programming issue. This is one of the first models, and I don't think it is that sophisticated.
I can certainly wire in a switch to power those up, but I am curious as to what they are.
If they are long distance driving lights, I want them. If they are low fog lights, I may rig something up, but not right away.
I have a mechanic friend who has the Snap-On version of Aldata, so I can hopefully find a schematic on Monday to see how they are supposed to turn on.
But, in the meantime, I was hoping someone here might know. I need to get out tonight and set them. When I tried last night, they were pretty much pointing at the ground.
So, here goes...
1998 M320 four wheel drive SUV. The headlights have two bulbs in the center. An H1 for the high beam, and an H7 for the low beam. They are behind a plastic panel in the back of the headlight assembly.
There is also a large rubber cap towards the outside of the unit. Behind it is a socket for a third bulb with capped off wires. From time to time, I would think about finding a bulb to fit and see what would happen, but never did.
Then, coming home the other day, I dodged 4 out of 5 deer as they ran across the road........
Not all in a bunch, one at a time over about an hour's drive. The darn 5th one, I actually dodged, but she turned around and ran back into the left front of the car.
Minor dent in the wheel well, which I will clean up and will be almost invisible, some trim damage, but her head swung around and broke out the left front headlight lens.
Like my luck usually runs, that very day I had bought some polishing wax and a pad to buff out those lights because they were getting so yellow it was hard to see at night.
So, ordered two new assemblies, installed them yesterday. These have the third bulbs in them wired up to the main harness. This car has one plug for both headlights off to the side, and has the wires for the third bulb in there also.
That bulb is behind a completely different lens pattern than the regular bulbs.
Not sure if its a fog light, driving light, or a daytime running light. But, since its a 55 watt H1, I doubt its a DRL.
Got the two new assemblies installed, that bulb does not come on in any way I can figure out.
The newer cars had a driving/fog light switch on the dash. Some of the Mercedes forums talk about having to take it to a dealer and having that bulb function activated in the computer.
But, I do not seem to have a switch. My headlight switch is on the turn signal stalk, and does have a position that does not seem to do anything. Forward one click is parking lights, two clicks is headlights. But you can turn it one click backwards from off, but nothing happens.
All the fuses in the box that pertain to lighting are there.
I doubt that it is a programming issue. This is one of the first models, and I don't think it is that sophisticated.
I can certainly wire in a switch to power those up, but I am curious as to what they are.
If they are long distance driving lights, I want them. If they are low fog lights, I may rig something up, but not right away.
I have a mechanic friend who has the Snap-On version of Aldata, so I can hopefully find a schematic on Monday to see how they are supposed to turn on.
But, in the meantime, I was hoping someone here might know. I need to get out tonight and set them. When I tried last night, they were pretty much pointing at the ground.
