Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => Electrical and Instruments => Topic started by: cpmayor on February 26, 2008, 22:49:48
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Which headlight is correct for an early (1968) 280SL? When was the switch made to the other one?
a) Screw in front of amber lens. Larger rectangular bulb directly underneath round bulb, smaller bulb at bottom.
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b) No screw in front. Smaller bulb directly underneath round bulb, larger bulb at bottom.
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I have one of each. Will I need to replace the whole housing to match, or do I only need to replace the door/lens? Thank you much!
1968 MB 280SL (W113)
1987 Porsche 930
1995 BMW M3
2007 MB ML350
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Here's something from the Tech Manual that may help (or confuse). The Manual is not always correct.
"Three types of USA headlights were used during production of W 113 cars: Type "AC" was used until 280SL Chassis 5607 (October 1968); Type "AN" used to 280SL Chassis 11947 (July 1969); and Type "AJ" used to the end of production. The face of each light is stamped with the style type.
Each type had a different internal wiring scheme. The later types had wiring to accommodate the lighted front fender markers found on USA cars.
The foglights found in the early "AC" lights were removed in the AN style. The later USA headlights had no foglights.
Style AN had a "small" amber section at the bottom of the unit while the later "AJ" style had a larger amber section."
The glass face of each lightis embossed with one of the three model designations: "AC" "AN" "AJ"
Richard M, NYC
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quote:
Originally posted by 280SL71
Here's something from the Tech Manual that may help (or confuse). The Manual is not always correct.
"Three types of USA headlights were used during production of W 113 cars: Type "AC" was used until 280SL Chassis 5607 (October 1968); Type "AN" used to 280SL Chassis 11947 (July 1969); and Type "AJ" used to the end of production. The face of each light is stamped with the style type.
Each type had a different internal wiring scheme. The later types had wiring to accommodate the lighted front fender markers found on USA cars.
The foglights found in the early "AC" lights were removed in the AN style. The later USA headlights had no foglights.
Style AN had a "small" amber section at the bottom of the unit while the later "AJ" style had a larger amber section."
The glass face of each lightis embossed with one of the three model designations: "AC" "AN" "AJ"
Richard M, NYC
Great succint description. It is important to understand these distinctions to avoid getting caught with the wrong one as many owners have over the years.
I believe the latest--AJ--is the only one you can buy new today (aside from NOS that a dealer might have). If you get one and your other unit is an AN or AC, it will look funny. (NB--the new NEW ones are Bosch from a factory in the Czech Republic, not Germany...)
If your car is a later model (after July '69) you'll need the AJ and the others won't work as there's no pigtail for the side markers.
Like so many things in life, better to have a matched set.
Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America
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The short answer is, the one on the left side of your car is the correct one. They are a bit hard to find. You can just replace the right side lens (door) because your side markers are reflectors with no wiring.
Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe
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Both headlights are wrong. The correct version from Bosch are LE1657 with clear lens for fog built in fog light and a small orange turn signal indicator light at bottom. These lights changed twice and the factory built in fog lamp was done away in mid 1969 they went to solid amber lenses below the headlight in 1971.
See the technical manual for more information.
Bob Geco
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After looking again, I stand corrected. I thought the one on the right was as Bob describes. I see now that there is an amber lamp in the middle where the clear fog light should be. You will have to replace the whole assembly.
Depending on how correct you want the car to be, you now have four options. From least to most expensive: get one of either that you have so at least they match, replace both to get the correct versions, or get a pair of Euro lights.
Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe
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This is great information. Thank you very much. I'll have to figure out which option to go with. I do like the european headlights. Thanks again.
1968 MB 280SL (W113)
1987 Porsche 930
1995 BMW M3
2007 MB ML350
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Just to clarify, I went and checked the markings on my headlights. They are a bit hard to read but the right side light shows LE1657AJ and the left shows LE1657AN. So sounds like I should have the AC version given my chassis number is pre-5607 as mentioned below.
1968 MB 280SL (W113)
1987 Porsche 930
1995 BMW M3
2007 MB ML350