Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG Ballast Resistor Replacement at your home or office.

Our mobile mechanics offer services 7 days a week. Upfront and transparent pricing.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(7)

Included for free with this service

Online Booking

Mechanic comes to you

12-month / 12k-mile warranty

Free 50 point safety inspection

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Customer Ratings

(7)

Ballast Resistor Replacement Service

How much does a Ballast Resistor Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG Ballast Resistor Replacement is $430 with $335 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMGV8-5.5LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$784.53Shop/Dealer Price$976.92 - $1497.83
2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMGV8-5.5LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$764.53Shop/Dealer Price$956.96 - $1477.90
2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMGV8-5.5LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$764.53Shop/Dealer Price$956.96 - $1477.90
2010 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMGV8-5.5LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$764.53Shop/Dealer Price$956.90 - $1477.80
2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMGV8-5.5LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$764.53Shop/Dealer Price$957.00 - $1477.97
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMGV8-5.5LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$764.53Shop/Dealer Price$956.96 - $1477.90
2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMGV8-5.5LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$769.53Shop/Dealer Price$961.62 - $1482.30
2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMGV8-5.5LService typeBallast Resistor ReplacementEstimate$769.53Shop/Dealer Price$962.55 - $1483.93
Show example Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG Ballast Resistor Replacement prices

What is the Ballast Resistor all about?

Modern ignition systems use electronic circuitry to control voltage during engine starting and operation, but it wasn’t always this way. Older vehicles with points and coils did not have the benefit of circuit boards and computers, so another way to control voltage was needed. The ballast resistor coil was the solution. Think of it as a giant fuse in a way, although it serves a much greater purpose.

The ballast resistor coil plays several roles in your engine and charging system. In terms of position, it’s located between the ignition switch and the positive battery cable. During engine operation, the ballast resistor is responsible for lowering voltage applied to the coil to ensure that it doesn’t overheat and burn out, or damage the battery. During cranking, the ballast resistor allows normal battery voltage into the coil to ensure a good, strong spark for starting the engine.

The ballast resistor is subjected to significant amounts of heat during operation (the resistor’s resistance level increases or decreases with the application of heat and voltage). Over time, it will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.

Keep in mind:

  • The ballast resistor is not inspected during normal maintenance.
  • The ballast resistor is subject to significant amounts of wear and tear.
  • Ballast resistors are not generally found on fuel-injected engines.

How it's done:

  • The Ballast Resistor is verified that it needs to be replaced. The battery and battery tray are removed.
  • The defective Ballast Resistor disconnected and removed.
  • The new Ballast Resistor is installed, secured, and connected.
  • The battery tray and battery are reinstalled. The Ballast Resistor is tested for operation.
  • The vehicle is tested to ensure proper operation of the Ballast Resistor and road tested to ensure fan operation.

Our recommendation:

Over time and through normal use, the ballast resistor is subject to a great deal of wear and tear, and heat. This can cause it to fail unexpectedly. When this happens, your vehicle will experience unwanted, and perhaps dangerous, operation. It may crank but then stop running immediately after. Have any starting problems immediately diagnosed by one of our expert mechanics.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Ballast Resistor?

  • Engine cranks, but dies immediately when the key is moved back to the run position from the start position

How important is this service?

Without a ballast resistor, your engine will not operate unless you jump the resistor, which is dangerous, as it will eventually burn out the points, and is not recommended. If your engine dies immediately after turning the key back to run from start, likely the ballast resistor needs to be replaced. If the engine runs with the key in the run position, you may have another issue. Have it properly diagnosed by one of our expert mechanics immediately.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Mercedes-Benz mechanics

Real customer reviews from Mercedes-Benz owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(7)

Rating Summary
6
0
0
1
0
6
0
0
1
0

Chris

22 years of experience
2266 reviews
Chris
22 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG V8-5.5L - Check Engine Light is on - Corona, California
Knowledgeable. Was able to determine the problem fast.

John

27 years of experience
1057 reviews
John
27 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG V8-5.5L - car is damaged - Baytown, Texas
John was 100% , very professional and helpful! I would recommend him to anyone needed car help!

Raul

5 years of experience
47 reviews
Raul
5 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG V8-5.5L - Oil Change - Corona, California
Knowledgeable mechanic.

David

10 years of experience
193 reviews
David
10 years of experience
Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG V8-5.5L - Oil Change - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I got a good feeling about the service and David. He was prompt courteous friendly professional and insightful about the particulars of my specific vehicle.

Excellent Rating

(7)

Rating Summary
6
0
0
1
0
6
0
0
1
0
Number of Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG services completed
77+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Mercedes-Benz MECHANICS
1100+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

How Long Does a Timing Cover Last?
A A timing cover protects parts such as the timing belt, timing chain, and gears inside of your vehicle. They are made from either plastic, metal, or a combination of synthetic materials. In modern vehicles, the covers are designed to...
How to Lubricate Doors
When When a door hinge or detent rod becomes dry, they will squeak. You may see grease (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-get-rid-of-grease-stains-in-a-car-by-joyce-morse) on the door hinge and believe it is well greased, but the key to a properly lubricated door hinge is getting the...
How to Clean Evaporator Drain Tubes
The air conditioning system on a car has evaporator drain tubes than need cleaning if there is dirty air in the car or it is not blowing consistently.

Recommendation about window tinting

As for the window tinting--there are a million places to get window tinting. Ask your friends who they use and see if you like the job they did. People that do window tint come and go so often. You might...

Need to no how to bypass lamp failure sensor for tail & brake lights to work

Hello. Bypassing the lamp failure sensor involves locating the correct signal and ground wires and splicing them together to bypass the circuit. The actual cutting and splicing process is rather simple, however, you must make sure that the correct wires...

I wanna buy this bmw 325i but the airbag and seat belt lights are on on the dash. Do you think i should get?? Its accident free

Hi there. You might find it very helpful and cost effective to have one of our mobile mechanics complete a pre car purchase inspection (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/pre-purchase-car-inspection); so they can inspect the vehicle and determine the condition of the vehicle and whether...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com