Hi All,

I am working on a DIY ambient door panel LED light strip to go under the door decorative trim. In my case, I’ll be installing “something” under the pathetically damage-able aluminum wrapped plastic components…

I cut a groove into the panel pleather which will allow the main light source (still TBD) to sit against the pressed board material, and let the minimal light source peek through the airbag section and trim. I don’t want the aluminum trim to be ajar, and I don’t want to really see a “typical” press in LED strip…

I also don’t want all the “features” of such aftermarket kits, which are usually APP driven and have a whole host of wires…

I am planning to tap into (it’s been tested and works) the switch illumination circuit, which, will turn these DIY ambient light strips when the lights kick on. These only will be yellow/amber in my case using 12v LEDs.

I am messing with the idea of handle illumination, map pocket illumination, etc. but, I have to know a limit to the w203 and the potential to overdo it…

I have installed vent dial lights, vent outlet lighting and an illuminated shifter (6 speed)…

Let’s see how it goes…

And a short video…

Not digging the current look…



it’s warped as there is no trim in this test - but I don’t like the fade in the middle…

Unfortunately there's no real good area to stick lights inside the door trim.

How about the area where the front people feet go instead? Or at the bottom on the door armrest. It would require drilling a hole though.

Got some better results…not great…but tracking better…

“Bookmarking” this YouTube video:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_con...ature=emb_logo

Update to rear:
Had to Dremel a slot/hole for zip tie:

All doors have been inspected for rust and with none found - spayed with MB wax preservation.

LED light pipe/ ambient lighting also added to under aluminum trim.

A pretty good technique for removed pressed on clips from door trim posts. Part number A001 994 1245

Tract created by removing pleather and foam down to door card

Detail of front

Detail of rear

Haynes wire diagram indicating Blue/gray = illumination Brown/yellow = ground

OEM wire diagram of w203 DCU between N69/1 and S20/1

Ebay tester to determine 1) brown - ground 2) blue - right rear motor 3) white - left rear motor 4) green - front right motor 5) gray - front left motor 6) no wire 7) red - illumination 8) black/white - trunk open red led indicator 9) black - trunk release 10) yellow - child lock



Aftermarket LED light module being mocked in. Held in place with zip tie as mechanical means. Placed on foam padding to remove any chatter and potential unwanted noises. Once installed, all “fiber optics”’and wires wrapped in OEM style tesa tape. Spot glued with 3M hot melt in certain locations.

Detail in using OEM features and channels to blend/incorporate aftermarket kit.

Night illumination:

Here are some images as the sun prepares to set at 8:35pm:

Front w203 door panel trim light strip

Rear w203 light strip in door panel trim

Very cool.

Thanks, Kevin!
Here are a few more shots:


I am very pleased with how the project turned out and very satisfied in how invisible or difficult to notice they are when off…

A few folks have asked how visible in daylight…

Full sun:

Do you have the exact wiring, how to connect those led strips and where did you buy those strips, how much did they cost?