Headlamp misting up inside

[gnj588d]

In wet conditions the headlamps on my 230SL mist up I found the rubber cable boots are letting in a small amount of water.would this be atricky job to replace them,as the connectors would have to be removed? Should there be drain holes in the bottom of the headlamp bowls,if yes someone has used them to earth the lamps  many thanks    Mike [Liverpool]

[Naj ✝︎]

quote: Should there be drain holes in the bottom of the headlamp bowls

There are no drain holes at the bottom of the headlamp bowls.
My guess is the moisture is getting in from the rubber seals between the glass lens and headlamp chassis. Some clips could be missing or rubbers deteriorated??

Download Attachment: HLbucket.jpg
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naj

[George Davis]

Naj is probably right, but regarding the rubber cable boots, they may be pretty easy to replace.  The electrical connector blocks come apart pretty easily; just pop the top off, and all of the wire ends can be pulled out.  Make a diagram of their order, but really it would be hard to mix them up.  I'd think you can finagle them through the holes pretty easily, although I can't say I've actually done it.  Make very sure nothing is on!  Good luck!

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

[bpossel]

George is correct.  To replace the rubber boots on my 280sl (I have 2: 1 for the headlight; 1 for the side marker), I simply popped off the top of the connector and removed the wires from the plastic connector base.  Make sure to document the placement of the electrical pins so they go back in the same holes.  Push the old boot back into the wheel well area.  Need to work from wheel well at this point.  To slide the wires back into the new rubber boots, I sprayed a bit of silicon spray into the boots.  This made the wires slide in easily.  Once the wires are in the new boot, push the boot lip into the headlight bucket from the wheel well area.  Gradually work the lip of the boot into the bucket until the groove in the boot sits in the bucket and the boots' lip is fully inside the bucket.

I believe the Euro lights also have a rubber seal that sits between the headlight bucket and the light housing???  Do you have Euro lights?  

Good Luck!
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[gnj588d]

Thanks for the help one
                   
Thanks everyone for your advice its been very helpfull,the rubber seals are all new between the glass and frame ,but one clip is missing, Ive been told that you can't buy them without the complete frame, any suggestions.The car is RHD euro spec GB
                 Cheers [Mike Liverpool]