GL Class (X164) 2007-2012: GL320CDI, GL420CDI, GL450, GL550

2010 LED Tail light Swap

Old 04-13-2010, 06:19 PM
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2007 GL450, 2006 Porsche 911, 2004 VROD
any update? i am waiting eagerly for this.
Old 06-08-2010, 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by ksdprasad
any update? i am waiting eagerly for this.
So am I! I'm curious to see this mod as in its completion.
Old 06-08-2010, 12:56 PM
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'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550
Requires new rear SAM
Old 10-14-2010, 05:55 PM
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Guys any update on this. i bought a set of LED tails on ebay, shipped to me tomorrow.

i am curious to know
  • how you installed
  • any errors codes, how you fixed
  • did you bought any resisters
  • any pictures is appreciated.
Old 10-15-2010, 08:58 PM
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2007 GL450, 2006 Porsche 911, 2004 VROD
got mine today, looks like harness connectors from old tail lamp and new LED ones are same. but erros are coming when i connect them. i need some resisters i believe.

any help on where to put the resisters?
Old 10-17-2010, 12:37 PM
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'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550
I thought these looked pretty nice when I saw them on vehicles on the dealer's lot.

When I saw them in action and noted that rear turn signals are red, I lost interest.
Old 10-22-2010, 10:49 AM
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1992 BMW 318is, 2009 GL 320 BlueTec
Upgrade to LED Tail lights

I have been running my LEDs for several months now without resistors. Despite the random error codes that come and go the lights work seamlessly and look great. After multiple attempts with various resistor combinations and continued heat issues (from the resistors) and persisitent error codes, I decided the "plug and ride" option was best for me. It passed the annual NC state inspection with no problems last week.
Also the SAM updates have been done 3 times with no resolution of the error codes. However, I am still holding on to my stock lens just in case some compatiblity issues arise "down the rode".

Also the front LEDs are still running strong as detailed in my previous blogs.
Old 10-24-2010, 10:47 AM
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2007 GL450, 2006 Porsche 911, 2004 VROD
Originally Posted by eurodok
I have been running my LEDs for several months now without resistors. Despite the random error codes that come and go the lights work seamlessly and look great. After multiple attempts with various resistor combinations and continued heat issues (from the resistors) and persisitent error codes, I decided the "plug and ride" option was best for me. It passed the annual NC state inspection with no problems last week.
Also the SAM updates have been done 3 times with no resolution of the error codes. However, I am still holding on to my stock lens just in case some compatiblity issues arise "down the rode".

Also the front LEDs are still running strong as detailed in my previous blogs.

nice, i plugged in yesterday, except regular tail light which is flashing irregularly, all others (turn signal, brake light, fog light, reverse light working fine. is this same for you?

also let me know where you added the resistors before, any pictures of your current setup would be helpfull.

last q, for installing the tail lights do we need to remove rear bumper? or just remove 3 screws (which are on the tail light)?
Old 10-26-2010, 10:08 PM
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GL450
LED Taillights

Same problem here. The LED taillights flash for about 20 seconds and then stop working. The Brake, Turn signal and reverse work well. I had the dealer change the code on start diagnostics but they could not get it to work. The report is that when he changed the programming to LED lighting the lights would not come on at all so they had to change it back.

I am pondering what to do next. Maybe resistors will help.

Ive also read in another thread that we might need a new SAM. I don't know what the SAM is or where it is located. Is this an expensive part? Do we need a SAM for each taillight?

If anyone has any answers please let me know. My vehicle is GL450 2007 but early manufacture. It was built in 06.
Old 10-26-2010, 11:41 PM
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Try the resistors.
Old 10-27-2010, 03:58 PM
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The answer is new rear SAM.
Old 10-27-2010, 07:23 PM
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I remember seeing a coding setting in rear sam for bulb technology (LED or bulb). They may have changed it though...if you have access to an SDS if you play around for a few, or select intitial startup of rear sam, you still may be able to change the setting.

I need to look around in EPC and see what rear SAM's are available.
Old 10-28-2010, 01:00 AM
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Anybody know the part number for the rear SAM?

Thank you in advance.
Old 10-28-2010, 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ksdprasad
Guys any update on this. i bought a set of LED for installing the tail lights do we need to remove rear bumper? or just remove 3 screws (which are on the tail light)?
i got the answer for my Q.

No need to remove the bumper Just remove 3 screws for the light.

How to reach the back of tail light?
So simple,
In passenger side
Just Remove the flap for the FUSE Box (use a coin to unscrew the black nut) and you can see fuse box as well as rear light.

For Driver side
Unscrew First-aid kit box screws(2) with a coin, and you can see the rear light.

Hope this helps...

haven't had a chance to work on adding resisters. will add next week. and post some instructions.
Old 10-29-2010, 10:57 PM
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Ksd- and anyone else. I am looking for the same solution. How to get the tail light working properly. Thanks in advance.

By the way what is "Sam."
Old 10-30-2010, 10:27 AM
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In EPC there are no different part numbers displayed for differance in rear SAM's and bulb technology used. Which means if you go in via SDS you can change the coding of bulb technology.

Originally Posted by Bonzai888
...By the way what is "Sam."
SAM control unit supplies various systems and control units with power, it also is an input location for various sensors and signals, evaluates signals and transmits them on CAN B, controls various systems, actuates components and relays via CAN B requests.

For this instance...your tail lights are wired directly to rear SAM, if you origionally had bulbs and switched to LED's, the rear SAM is looking for a specific voltage drop accross the bulbs...if it does not see that(cause you installed LED's) it will set codes for the bulbs are inop. Sometimes when the codes are set, the rear SAM will shut off power to the bulbs to protect itself.
Old 11-02-2010, 12:20 AM
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I suspect that the tech that worked on my truck did not fully know what he was doing. He mentioned that after switching the software to LED, the actual taillight would not come on. The brake, backup and turn-signal lights did work however.

I was not present when he performed this work and the dealership here is gotten a little uppity as of late. I used to be able to go in the garage with the techs when to see when they were working on my truck but they no longer allow that. I even helped them work on the star diagnostics system when I installed a phone for my old ML.

I need to think of my next move. I don't want to go with the resistors because I don't think that they would work properly. The incandescent taillights use the same bulbs for tail and brake and the difference is that the SAM sends a lower voltage to the bulbs for the tail operation and increases the voltage when braking. The bulbs are mono-filament and not the dual filament type. I am pretty sure that the LEDs operate in separate circuits for the brake and taillight portions. So I need to program the SAM to send voltage/current to the tail light led group separately from the brake led group.
Old 11-26-2010, 09:22 AM
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My dealer tried to do the rear SAM programming..but unable to ...and he advised me to get a new SAM and program that to LED.

i had to order a new rear SAM($380 + $120 programming = $500 + Tax) to make my new LEDs work.

Not worth the money, but they look awesome.
Old 11-26-2010, 12:02 PM
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Old 11-28-2010, 09:11 PM
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here you go...
Attached Thumbnails 2010 LED Tail light Swap-2010-11-28-001_.jpg   2010 LED Tail light Swap-2010-11-28-004_.jpg   2010 LED Tail light Swap-2010-11-29-003_.jpg   2010 LED Tail light Swap-2010-11-29-002_.jpg  

Last edited by ksdprasad; 11-29-2010 at 09:29 PM.
Old 12-12-2010, 07:24 AM
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Question

Originally Posted by eurodok
I found a pair of nicely priced salvaged 2010 OEM GL LED tail lights on EBay. I plan to install them in my 2009 GL 320 BT.... I've already swapped my front foglights to 2010 OEM LED Daytime Running Lights.
Wish me luck on this project!
Hi! How did you do this? Do you have any pics with new look? I'm planning to do the same on my GL500 2009.
Old 12-12-2010, 09:14 PM
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hi eurodok,

do you have pictures on how you upgraded the front fogs. any pictures during the install.

are they plug and play? how they are working or they acting like day time running lights or fogs? any programming done for this?
Old 12-31-2010, 02:06 AM
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I'm trying to replace my front marker lamps on my 2006 E350 but because of the pulse lighting it's not working. Is there any way to get them to work with having to change the settings using the STAR system?
Old 12-31-2010, 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Benzarati
I'm trying to replace my front marker lamps on my 2006 E350 but because of the pulse lighting it's not working. Is there any way to get them to work with having to change the settings using the STAR system?
Sorry, you're in the GL forum. I would suggest you re-post your question in the E forum for best response?
Old 01-14-2011, 05:52 PM
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I did the Swap today take a look at the pics...

I got a pair of LED lights from EBAY for $158.00 out of a wrecked GL450. Today I did swap out my standard lights for the LED and the left side flickered and then stopped and does it once in a while but here is what it looks like.
Attached Thumbnails 2010 LED Tail light Swap-img_2111.jpg   2010 LED Tail light Swap-img_2113.jpg   2010 LED Tail light Swap-img_2115.jpg  

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