How to Deal with Mercedes-Benz Headlight Flashing and 'Stop Operation' Warning?
2 Answers
1. During daytime or nighttime engine startup, listen for any abnormal noises when the lights automatically adjust, and observe whether the light beams on the ground are shaking. After the shaking stops, check if the 'Intelligent Light System Stop Operation' warning appears. 2. Open the engine compartment. There are two white adjustment screws above each headlight (left and right) for adjusting height and width. Use a long Phillips screwdriver for adjustments. 3. Avoid excessive adjustments. After each adjustment, turn off and restart the engine, then observe the adjustment effect after the light self-check. 4. If abnormal noise or shaking occurs, identify which side is affected and adjust it by referring to the opposite side. Note the automatic adjustment trajectory—if noise occurs when turning right, adjust left; if noise occurs when turning up, adjust down. 5. After completing adjustments, test with high and low beams during left and right U-turns. If the 'Intelligent Light System Stop Operation' warning appears, the beam pattern of the problematic headlight will change. Note the steering direction that triggers the warning, then adjust the affected headlight in the opposite direction after stopping.
When the Mercedes headlights flash to indicate a malfunction, my first reaction is always to find a safe place to pull over and inspect them. I turn on the hazard lights to warn other vehicles—it's too risky to keep driving at night. After turning off the engine, I check the fuse box, usually located under the driver's seat or in the engine compartment, and refer to the manual to locate the headlight fuse to see if it's blown. If it is, I replace it with a spare—a simple fix. If the flashing persists, it might be due to a worn-out bulb or poor contact, so I remove the lamp cover to inspect, clean the connector with a cloth, or replace the bulb. For Mercedes' LED lighting systems, I avoid tampering as it could damage the control module. Last year, I recall an instance where the flashing was caused by unstable voltage, and the dealership later diagnosed it as a generator issue, costing a lot to repair. During routine maintenance, I always remind the technician to test the lighting system to prevent sudden failures. Safety comes first—get professional repairs as soon as possible.
