w204_Generic

Here is a picture of what the rear SAM looks like. As you can see, it is behind the rear fuse box. Yes, it is in the trunk location on the right. It is the rectangular box with the rectangular plug-ins where the connectors go.



And here is a tutorial on how to remove it:

https://mbworld.org/forums/5161899-p...tml?styleid=19

aznmode

And here's my quick diagram. Red outline is the sam. Needs to be detached from the fuse box if you're going to remove/swap it.

jmar

You guys are great, thanks to the both of yous... I was in the right location, but by looking at the fuse box prior to receiving the info you provided, the fuse box didn't appear to be more than one piece, now that I have a visual, I understand completely.

jackolee

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MercNJ

I'm sorry to bring this topic back from the dead but can someone confirm there is truth that even if you get someone to program the SAM you can't on a 2010 Mercedes C-Class? Also the dealer wouldn't even be able to do it because they don't have the codes? Why does Mercedes have to be a pain in the butt.

95Sinned420

Correct. I've did some researching and it seems that the 2010-2011 SAMs are different..in that you cannot reprogram them, not even the dealer. You will need a 2012+ SAM and that'll need to be programmed by the dealer. The dealer still isn't able to program it manually either, instead, the software downloads the information based on VIN(a 2012+ car's VIN) to the SAM.. Even then, you may have issues with the sunshade not working..tough luck for us 2010-11 owners...

kman2k

Great DIY, Thanks for sharing

BlurryBenz

Can you provide me with the part number for the 2012 rear SAM unit that you put in your 2011? I've got a 2011 as well and would like to take the same route as you. I have the lights on my car now but getting all the annoying check lights messages.

mattisere

Don't know if anyone still needs advice on this. But I am in the UK and going to buy some 2012 genuine MB lights for my 2010 C350 and try this method.

Before you go screaming, yes I can see that the brake lights are PARTIALLY lit! but it makes no difference to me when I can't even get it coded by MB anyway as I have tried with my local dealer.

I am going to try what our friend adamrotor suggested (buying some canbus led bulbs for the brake lights) as he might be on to something there and that would solve all the issues completely!

I'll come back and let you know with pictures when I get this done for those who are unlucky enough to have been screwed by MB's 2010 & 2011 cars.

pauleferrar

instead of going through all that book into a place called london code they will program out the rear right fog light issue .and it will work as face lift 02085912121 post code IG119PG HOPE THIS HELPS.

Minesh236

Just had a good read of this thread.

I own a 2010 c250 cgi here in the U.K.

Ive been to prestige car specialist and surprise surprise they can't program my sam.

Just had a thought. If I use load resistors to remove the always dim fog light led, can I not do the same for the 4 brake light bulbs to remove the dim lit lights.

I tried the cree can bus leds and they are always on albeit dim with tailights on and a little brighter with brake lights on.

hope someone can help.

Minesh

AussieC250

I read this entire thread and am still non the wiser about what actually needs to be done for my 2011 C250 CGI if I do decide to upgrade but it does seem like a lot of work if I go the OEM facelift option, so I might just cut all the crap and go Depo Taiwan lights which are supposed to be error and SAM (or Ivan) free

pauleferrar

get geuine rear led w204 lights you dont need and new rear sam 500 plus fitting ...just buy some genuine w204 rear lights get them coded in from london code 30 mins fitted and coded chinese rear lights are pants .

AussieC250

Thanks mate, London Code is a bit far from me in Sydney

Can any Mercedes specialist with access to STAR, code the lights for me?

pauleferrar

Hi sorry didnt know you where in oz lol mercedes cant help you there not allowed and will only help you if you buy a new rear sam they then code it to your car so its compatable , you need some body that has xentry star with developer mode for coding through a program called vediamo the hard part is finding some body that has it but if they do, it is a 20 min process programing your back lights in if you find some body with star xentry and there worth there salt you could phone london code and connect your car via net and they will program your car in i know its hard doing any kind of retro fits to a merc but good luck 👍

AussieC250

Thanks for the advice and as I already found out Down Under, it's not an easy process at all, as not even my local Mercedes Specialist (whom I visited today) could communicate with my exiting SAM and he advised me not to upgrade.

DEPO Taiwan seems to be the most convincing solution thus far..... for us Australians that is

pauleferrar

ok no worrys he doesent have the correct codeing machine ask him if he has star xentry you could connect remotley to london code and that will do it ,or advice him to get star xentry with vedimo developer or go chinese 🤔

Minesh236

Hello Paul

Am I right in assuming that you can code my rear Sam. I have a 2010 pre facelift
Where in London are you and how much will it cost me for the 20 min job if successful.

I have genuine facelift lights on my car at the moment.

Regards.

Minesh

pauleferrar

hi minesh i didnt say i could code them my self i said there is a place in london that does , called london code . they are on ebay also 👍

Minesh236

Apologies paul. I thought it was your company. Couldn’t find them on ebay but googled them I have sent them an email.

Thanks for the recommendation.

Minesh

Colin G

If I read this correctly, I can do this LED tail light conversion on my 2008 with OEM LED tail lights and get a used SAM unit out of a 2012?

pauleferrar

you dont need a different rear sam your original one is all you need ,your original rear sam will be reprogramed to your 2012 led rear lights to stop the rear right led fog light issue 👍 london code

Colin G

What is London Code? If that is in the UK then not really cost effective to send a SAM from Canada and would take forever.

Minesh236

Many thanks to Paul for recommending London Code. Ask for Faheim. He knows his stuff. Well worth the trip!

For all those who have said that you need to buy a new SAM from a facelift model and then program it, Its all BS. No need for that. You just need a competent mechanic who can program your 2010 SAM with the new face lift rears.

The last pic is with tail lights and fog lights on working as they should and most importantly no stupid Fog light error!!

My car is C250 CGi first registered on 30/12/2010 (I'm in the UK)

Thanks

Minesh

AussieC250

Sorry mate but the comment above about not needing a new SAM is not applicable to all models and it seems to be directly related to the country you are in.

i finally found a mechanic in Sydney who has the right coding tools to communicate with the car and the SAM so when he changed over the lights he told me that my existing SAM simply refused to allow him to do any changes when it came to the rear lights configuration. He put the replacement SAM from the facelift model and bingo, he could program everything. All working now with the facelift LED tail lights.

Australian 2011 C250 CGI