Wiring problems of the 2000 Mercedes Benz CLK430

The interior of the headlamp assembly was melted and burnt. Upon close examination all of the wiring inside and outside of the headlamp enclosure was deteriorated. The protective plastic covering over the wires were crumbling and had fallen apart, bare wires had been touching inside of the housing. The wiring on the interior of the housing is not exposed to the elements. The wiring on the exterior of the housing exposed to the elements exhibits the same failure, in that the protective insulating plastic coating is deteriorated and exposed copper wires are touching each other.