C-Class (W204) 2008 - 2014: C180K, C200K, C230, C280, C300, C350, C200CDI, C220CDI, C320CDI

2012 tail lights/unknown rear SAM mod

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Apr 29, 2011 | 01:03 AM
  #1  
RLE's Avatar
RLE
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
2012 tail lights/unknown rear SAM mod

This is a question for Vic Viper.

I intend to buy a pair of 2012 tail lights for my '08 C300 but in order for them to work properly, a change must be made in the rear SAM programming. The light supplier doesn't know what that would be and the C63 owner in Dortmund doesn't either. His local dealer couldn't help but a local independent shop was able to do it. Here is part of his answer:
______________
You also can use the tails without encoding. But it looks a bit different to mine when you turn them on. To make them work right you need someone who has the "Star Diagnostic Developer Software".
______________
See the YouTube video of his car below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwK1oDi_uNw

Any ideas?
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2011 | 12:11 PM
  #2  
kuraishin's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
c-300
This sounds like a good thing. I would like that on my 09 c300
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2011 | 11:34 PM
  #3  
tcm2008's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
C300 4MATIC 2009
I want buy too for my c300,how can get them?
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2011 | 03:07 PM
  #4  
blue00r6's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 770
Likes: 9
2017 C43
I imagine you would need to get the updated bootload and config file for that module. If you found a smart tech at a dealership I'm sure they could update it for you.

Those tails look really nice, though btw - I'm sure this will be all the rage in 6 months when they become available more easily.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2011 | 04:19 PM
  #5  
RLE's Avatar
RLE
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Originally Posted by blue00r6
I imagine you would need to get the updated bootload and config file for that module. If you found a smart tech at a dealership I'm sure they could update it for you.

Those tails look really nice, though btw - I'm sure this will be all the rage in 6 months when they become available more easily.
US dealers do not have access to the country code dvd to convert the whole thing which is what I'm told by a friend who is a local dealer's parts & service manager.

For those who want to buy right now, I'd say hold off until some conversion info surfaces here.

The cost for a pair of lights (euro version with yellow LEDs as shown in the video) is 400 Euros delivered to my door by international parcel post.

MBenzNl.nl does not accept Paypal and requires a USPS money order. I've purchased from him twice and it went well with the items delivered to me in about three weeks. I have no hesitation ordering again and paying this way.
Reply
Old May 2, 2011 | 09:58 AM
  #6  
hannes's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
C320 CDI 4Matic
Originally Posted by blue00r6
I imagine you would need to get the updated bootload and config file for that module. If you found a smart tech at a dealership I'm sure they could update it for you.
It's not that simple as the rear SAM module is responsible for more than just the rear light cluster. So a complete update would break other things on an older car.
That's why the Star Diagnosis Developer Kit is required. I know of two smart German C-Class drivers that have the kits who have figured out exactly which parameters to change to make the new LED rears work properly. At least in Germany dealers can only work on C-Classes with Mercedes Xentry Diagnostics which does not allow for changes in individual parameters, only wholesale updates.

If I remember correctly the problems with the LEDs if you do not recode are that the top LEDs are on permanently and the brake light (which btw is still a regular bulb) is always on in a dimmed mode.
Reply
Old May 2, 2011 | 12:21 PM
  #7  
jctevere's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 7
From: Dix Hills, New York
2012 C250 Coupe
Yeah, a guy with a c63 got this done. He said that you need someone with Star Diagnostic Developer Kit to program the car with the new 2012 software for just the tail lights. Otherwise he says that the rear foglights are always lighted.
Reply
Old May 12, 2011 | 12:38 AM
  #8  
whipplem104's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 837
Likes: 25
From: seattle
1990 300ce supercharged and intercooled
So we did the coding on the lights tonight and were able to get everything the way he wanted except the led strip at the top is still on. No warning lights though before or after.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

 
story-1

7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 12, 2011 | 12:45 PM
  #9  
jctevere's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 7
From: Dix Hills, New York
2012 C250 Coupe
I think that is the lighting pattern on the 2012 tailights. The top and bottom stay illuminated when the lights are on, then one should get brighter when you apply the brake. At least that is how someone's c63 lights up with the 2012 tailights. The top portion isn't brighter correct?
Reply
Old May 12, 2011 | 03:56 PM
  #10  
RLE's Avatar
RLE
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
All wrong

Originally Posted by jctevere
I think that is the lighting pattern on the 2012 tailights. The top and bottom stay illuminated when the lights are on, then one should get brighter when you apply the brake. At least that is how someone's c63 lights up with the 2012 tailights. The top portion isn't brighter correct?
I think you had better take another look at the Youtube video of that C63. The rear fog (four LEDs at the top, left side) does NOT stay on all the time, obviously.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2013 | 05:22 PM
  #11  
LandSeaAir's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 816
Likes: 21
2008 W204
Anyone know if I can take a SAM pulled from a 2012 car and install it in my 08 to get the new tail lights working properly?
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2013 | 02:50 AM
  #12  
dolvio's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 449
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver Canada
2010 C250 4Matic
Originally Posted by LandSeaAir
Anyone know if I can take a SAM pulled from a 2012 car and install it in my 08 to get the new tail lights working properly?
Did you try this?
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:13 PM.

story-0
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-4
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-5
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-7
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE