Alexdfw

So, I decided to try this mod. Hmm, parts are in.... Plugs are set... Now to figure out the wiring.

Alexdfw

Starting this project at 10PM was a bad idea. My mind wasn't clear at all. Fast forward to this morning. I have one installed! Progress...! Having a Dremel really helps with the trimming.... I hate wiring and I think I need some supplies. Don't feel like driving w/o my bumper AND it would be raining today. *sigh*

Alexdfw

Oh, why does mine look different? Could I just wire a cap into the one connector attached to the LED assy and plug that directly into my fog connector?

snowmuch

Do not drive your car without front bumper they act llke a support for your headlights doing so will risk damage your headlights

Alexdfw

Thanks!

Alexdfw

Lame. Got them installed yesterday, but couldn't figure out the wiring and I had to put my car back together to run errands. At least they look nice.

Naverino

Hey guys I did this mod as well on my 2010 C350 and hooked up the LED's to a Phillips DRL LED controller which makes the LED's function like OEM (bright during the day and dim at night)

I'm in Canada and wanted to know if there is anyone who did this mod and got the main headlights (which is the stock DRL) to be off during the day? so I can keep the LEDs as my DRLs? I have heard that some sort of reprogramming needs to done?

Anyone know how to or know anyone that can help me out?

snowmuch

Ive done this. You need to find someone with access to STARS and flash your software with us spec so you can control your headlights. Right now my headlights are off during the day and auto turns on during the night. If you live in Alberta there is this shop in red deer can do it for $50 and done in 10 mins

Naverino

Snowmuch thanks for the info. Now Anyone in Toronto that can help me out?
Heck I'll even go to buffalo USA to get this done if there is anyone who can help me or guide me in the right direction.

Someone please help me out.

glj12

I would think (and maybe I am misunderstanding your post) that you would turn off the headlight's DRL feature (found in the basic settings of your vehicle), and then you would wire your fog lights (now LED DRLs) to the ignition fuse. That way, it will basically always be on (day and night -- which I believe is how the stock 2011s function, while the headlights come on as well at night).

Also, after some searching, I saw this which may make your life easier? Though, don't quote me on that.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-Daytime-Running-Light-DRL-Relay-Harness-w-Auto-On-Off-Control-Switch-/221267830461?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item33849726bd&vxp=mtr
Best of luck, mate!

snowmuch

Due to some safety law in Canada 08 09 and 10 w204 dont have the option to turn off headlight drl feature even if you turn the dail on the left from A to 0. Thats why I had my car flashed with US spec software to gain control over the headlights

glj12

Ah, my faux pas. Apologies.

Not to hijack the thread /too/ much, but I noticed that you used to have LED DRLs. Did you have to take your bumper off in order to install them?

snowmuch

I did take my bumper off for this operation. Some people on this forum did it without taking off the bumper but having it off does make the job much more easier.

glj12

Thanks. I guess I may either find a shop to do this for me, or I may say to heck with it and get HIDs for my current fog lights. My only concern (other than potential cracking of the lens?) would be which HIDs to get as the wires are for the luxury, and my bumper is a sport, ha.

snowmuch

No problem. My fog light glass broke and light blub went out twice in a year. Thats why I said fwack it and switched to LEDs instead so I hope the leds dont crack because they cost about $175 each.

Naverino

glj12 that what I have installed (Philips lighting version). What I need is like what snow did have my car flashed to US spec so I have control over my headlights.
My LED function perfectly no problems there. Just need the headlight off during the day as they are on currently as they are the stock DRLs.

Got to be someone that can help me out here.

Willis1550

Guys, I already have a 2011 with the LEDs, I just want to mod them so they're full bright all the time. I'm just trying to figure out the best way to do it having already existing LEDs.

I'll probably go the relay route but I'm trying to determine the best +12V source. Ideally, I'd want them on and bright all of the time. I don't want the sidemarkers because I don't want the tails on. Would the ignition hot be the best? Or as Jimmy said, the wipers? Which source would I need to tap to have them come on on unlock?

Thanks. A lot of good info but I'm looking for more than a few guys that had 2011+ that have done this and not just wired from their existing fogs.

Alexdfw

So, I ended up going with some dinky, but so far reliable, cable off of ebay from a seller in CA. The lights aren't on all the time... only when I have my fog light switch turned on. I still don't know if this is going to be a permanent set up, but for now it'll do. No flickering or errors.

The eyelids look more unattractive now. I haven't decided what to do with them as they really throw off the look. I tried adding white LED's a while back, but it never looked white, it looked very blue.

sharkey_lsu

...does anyone know if I would be able to purchase OEM DRLs and install them using this method? I only ask because I was looking at purchasing a kit to retrofit the DRLs on my car, but it is on ebay and the parts are made in China and probably not the quality that I am looking for (also worried that the LEDs might be too blue like the foglight bulbs I bought on there). Any suggestions/success stories?

sharkey_lsu

So from what I can tell after reading all 14 pages of this thread is that yes, the OEM DRLs are what are being used for this modification for all w204's from 2008 and up. However, the wiring is something that I think will be an issue because I actually really like having the fog lights come on when the car is unlocked. In that sense, would a possible solution be to hardwire them to the battery or alternator and have a relay that draws from the license plate illumination lights? (I believe those lights come on when the car is unlocked and also stay on the entire time the car is running)

...Plus it would be really cool if they could fade on and off like the license plate illumination lights.

Jpslikk

I'm still confused on this setup jimmygeek.. I have 2011 with factory drl led. I diconnected the drl led and still confused as to where after that

sharkey_lsu

Thanks for the write-up Blue!! I completed the installation yesterday and am very pleased with the outcome. I took your advice about purchasing the OEM plugs knowing that they do not come with any wiring (thinking i could just solder my own wire to the plug) but there is also no contact in the actual plug. I assume there is a wire with a "spade?" tip that is needed to insert into the actual plug. I couldn't rig anything good so in my haste I just shoved the wires into the plug and hot glued them in place and everything is working fine, but for the next person that chooses to purchase the plugs...MAKE SURE TO ALSO PURCHASE THE CORRECT WIRES NEEDED.

balieztic

Thank u Blue006 for being a pioneer in this. Mine is a C180 standard. I was lucky to buy a 2nd hand oem bumper that come out with led drl with a cheap price and installed it since last year after I read this thread, but only manage to do the wiring last week... and I really love the led!

sharkey_lsu

Okay, I have literally read this entire forum and still dont quite understand the best way to wire the DRLs on my 2009 C350. Currently mine dont come on during the day unless i switch the light control knob to the right one click. I wired them directly to the side markers plain and simple. They work great but I am getting annoyed with having to switch them on/off every time i get in my car. My goal is to have them to have them on all the time and also when I unlock my car and 15ish sec delay when I park and turn of the engine/lock the car (just like the fogs used to do). Also, Im getting the error from my fogs since they are just zip tied behind my bumper...any solutions that are cheap/free?

On a side note...has anyone found a way to actually disable the eyelids and not get an error. I think the car would look really clean with just the DRL and side markers on during the day and DRL, headlights, and markers at night.

jett_ricketts

Okay so i really want to do this on my 2008 sport. Where do i buy the actual DRL's? and do you think someone can do it for me because i have 0% knowledge on how to do things car related but i really want to get theses lights on my car haha!