Author Topic: AN Headlights  (Read 3547 times)

john.mancini

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AN Headlights
« on: April 16, 2017, 17:10:02 »
While looking over the "Headlights" in the Technical section I noticed the pictures of the 3 types of U.S. headlights, AC, AN, AJ.  I own a very low mileage 69 280SL, # 11208. It should, and does have the "AN" type headlights. My "AN" headlights have a larger amber section than the "AN" shown on our 113.org website. My headlights are clearly marked "AN". Were there two variations of the "AN" headlights, where later "AN"'s possibly looking closer to the "AJ" type? I have tried to attach a photo of my car's headlights.
John
65 230SL 519 Red 4-sp
98 911 cab
56 Ford F100
08 Porsche RS60 Spyder
23 Z4M40i

mnahon

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Re: AN Headlights
« Reply #1 on: April 17, 2017, 03:59:29 »
Hi John,

I've seen quite a few of these headlights and I believe yours have the correct look for AN headlights. I also think that the front picture of the AN headlight posted in the technical manual is incorrect.

The construction of the AN headlight is very similar to that of the AC headlight---while the AJ is quite different. The main difference between the AC and AN, as pointed out in the technical manual, is that the middle unit has no fog light. In addition to this, in any AN headlight I've seen, that middle unit has an amber face on its reflector; and this is what gives the headlight the look of a larger amber section, when seen from the front.

I believe that that AN headlight in the manual did have that amber face, because you can just see the telltale amber swage in the bottom picture (see arrow in picture below). Maybe the front picture in the manual got confused with an AC picture---it's not possible to see in that picture a clear AN or AC marking. It's also possible that in the headlight in the manual, someone broke off the amber face in order to make it look like an AC.

If you're interested in what the internals look like, I have an AN headlight in pieces that I could send you pictures of. You'd have to send me your email address.
Meyer Nahon
Montreal, Canada
1968 MB 280SL Auto Euro LHD Silver
2021 Tesla Model 3

john.mancini

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Re: AN Headlights
« Reply #2 on: April 17, 2017, 12:23:00 »
Hi Meyer,
Thanks for the response. I suspected that the picture of the AN headlight in the Technical Section was incorrect. I have been looking for a couple of NOS AN headlights to have as backups should anything happen to mine, but they are now impossible to find. I too have a couple of AN's that are in pieces.
I would assume that the AC type will fit AN cars because the plug looks the same.
Thanks again Meyer,
John
John
65 230SL 519 Red 4-sp
98 911 cab
56 Ford F100
08 Porsche RS60 Spyder
23 Z4M40i

mnahon

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Re: AN Headlights
« Reply #3 on: April 17, 2017, 13:30:24 »
Hi John,

Yes, I think the AC would be interchangeable---it's mechanically the same. Electrically, I'm guessing there would just be a connector pin that is wired for the fog light, but not active in the plug of an AN car like yours.

Note that all three types of headlights are now being made new by Mercedes, so you don't need to worry about availability replacements for now (apart from paying for them). See:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=24675.msg176474#msg176474

Meyer
Meyer Nahon
Montreal, Canada
1968 MB 280SL Auto Euro LHD Silver
2021 Tesla Model 3

john.mancini

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Re: AN Headlights
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2017, 22:18:55 »
Thanks again Meyer,
John
John
65 230SL 519 Red 4-sp
98 911 cab
56 Ford F100
08 Porsche RS60 Spyder
23 Z4M40i