2011 LED DRL installed - Having issue
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.
To correct for the fog light out warning, you'll need a fairly large resistor wired in place of the bulbs that used to be there. The h11s that you're replacing draw 55W at 12-15v. Reasonably a resistor that pulls ~35W should do the trick. I can come back and add what it should be, but switching tabs on my iPad makes me lose what I've typed here because it refreshes the page when I come back.
Here's what I'm tackling:
I want my DRLs to function like factory ones for just about any car. This means that they're on full bright during the day, and dim at night. Additionally I want them to dim the side that is blinking when I use the turn signals. My LEDs I got are a direct 12v strip without the need of resistors at all.
I have to post the relay diagram from my computer because I don't have them on here.
From what I've seen, the OEM LEDs run at 3.7v or so. That means you'll need a 4.7K ohm resistor by my guess. Once I'm on my computer I can verify, so that's just a guess for that one.
For the eyelids, you need another relay altogether. You need an eight pin relay to do it. I'll get a diagram for how to wire that too. I don't remember exactly what it's called, or I would just tell you to search it as I'm sure there are plenty of them online already. I didn't want to leave you hanging much longer, as I know how frustrating these things can be.
Make a list of exactly what you want your lights to do in each situation, and I can start a relay setup that should work. I've been working on mine for about a week, and I'm just waiting on the relays to be delivered to my door on Tuesday and then I can make a video showing them completed. Right now I just have pictures of what I have tested using my drill battery (14.4v).
The links work, but I'm not sure why they don't display in the forum now. Sorry you have to go to my photostream to actually see them.
First Relay (this one would dim both sides when using the turn signal on either side):

Then I realized I was over-complicating things and figured I could do 2 on either side and only have one side dim at a time:

Dim mode with a 1K ohm resistor (my lights draw 4 amps at 14v, so a 1K ohm resistor up to 1/2W was perfect for it to bring the load down to about 1.3 amps and 9-10v for a dim mode):

Full Bright mode:

Off but installed in the car. I took the time to pain the housing black because I'm doing a black/red combo throughout the car and eliminating chrome.

Headlight (5000K HID bulb, factory bi-xenon setup) with LED eyelids (5000K also) and DRL on in full bright mode.

And running with headlights on and DRL in dim mode. (I need to replace one of the eyelid LEDs because it doesn't quite match)

One last shot from the front to get an idea of brightness. You can see the drill battery on the windshield that's powering the light.

Brad
Last edited by hondafan; Jan 5, 2014 at 06:42 PM. Reason: Added photos and relay diagrams

I'll figure out which color wire is going in on the connector for the back of the headlight. Hope that will help.
As for the DRLs, I am thinking that I can perhaps accomplish my goal with diodes (I am still not 100% comfortable with choosing the correct diodes). Since diodes only allow current to flow in one direction, I believe I could create a lead from a constant (alternator perhaps?) and a lead from the side marker and splice the two together for the positive of the DRL without getting any errors. See my diagram below.
All I really want is for the LEDs to:
a. always be on when the engine is running.
b. come on when unlocked.
c. delay when parked/ engine off/ doors locked.
c. I would LIKE them to be slightly dimmed at night but not a priority.

To correct for the fog light out warning, you'll need a fairly large resistor wired in place of the bulbs that used to be there. The h11s that you're replacing draw 55W at 12-15v. Reasonably a resistor that pulls ~35W should do the trick. I can come back and add what it should be, but switching tabs on my iPad makes me lose what I've typed here because it refreshes the page when I come back.
Here's what I'm tackling:
I want my DRLs to function like factory ones for just about any car. This means that they're on full bright during the day, and dim at night. Additionally I want them to dim the side that is blinking when I use the turn signals. My LEDs I got are a direct 12v strip without the need of resistors at all.
I have to post the relay diagram from my computer because I don't have them on here.
From what I've seen, the OEM LEDs run at 3.7v or so. That means you'll need a 4.7K ohm resistor by my guess. Once I'm on my computer I can verify, so that's just a guess for that one.
For the eyelids, you need another relay altogether. You need an eight pin relay to do it. I'll get a diagram for how to wire that too. I don't remember exactly what it's called, or I would just tell you to search it as I'm sure there are plenty of them online already. I didn't want to leave you hanging much longer, as I know how frustrating these things can be.
Make a list of exactly what you want your lights to do in each situation, and I can start a relay setup that should work. I've been working on mine for about a week, and I'm just waiting on the relays to be delivered to my door on Tuesday and then I can make a video showing them completed. Right now I just have pictures of what I have tested using my drill battery (14.4v).
The links work, but I'm not sure why they don't display in the forum now. Sorry you have to go to my photostream to actually see them.
First Relay (this one would dim both sides when using the turn signal on either side):
Then I realized I was over-complicating things and figured I could do 2 on either side and only have one side dim at a time:
Dim mode with a 1K ohm resistor (my lights draw 4 amps at 14v, so a 1K ohm resistor up to 1/2W was perfect for it to bring the load down to about 1.3 amps and 9-10v for a dim mode):
Full Bright mode:
Off but installed in the car. I took the time to pain the housing black because I'm doing a black/red combo throughout the car and eliminating chrome.
Headlight (5000K HID bulb, factory bi-xenon setup) with LED eyelids (5000K also) and DRL on in full bright mode.
And running with headlights on and DRL in dim mode. (I need to replace one of the eyelid LEDs because it doesn't quite match)
One last shot from the front to get an idea of brightness. You can see the drill battery on the windshield that's powering the light.
Brad
Last edited by sharkey_lsu; Jan 9, 2014 at 11:12 AM. Reason: forgot image.
I have completed everything but proper wiring and I am not comfortable wiring a relay myself as I am unsure how/where to tap the control lead of the relay into. I am really getting frustrated with this issue and none of the shops that I have visited are willing to "take a chance" on doing the wiring and the dealership was no help. I am really starting to wish I never went through with this project (although the DRL's do look really good)
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Last edited by jimmythegreek; Feb 10, 2014 at 03:41 PM.
http://www.ado13.com/techs/relay.htm
where it says power from ignition u will use power from 30amp wiper
where it says power to headlight,horn, etc u will run that to LEDs, just double ur wire cause u have 2 LEDS that need power
its 4 simple wires and where u see switch u could mount a switch under dash or wherever if you wanna be able to turn them completely off, I have done a few this way for stealth, on mine its on always
Also, I know everything is wired correctly (and Im not using the altrernator for power in) because when I tap into the COMAND fuse, the lights come on at unlock but they stay on forever (or else I didnt wait long enough for them to turn off). Maybe the 2009 doesn't turn the wipers on until the engine is on? Any suggestions?
http://www.ado13.com/techs/relay.htm
where it says power from ignition u will use power from 30amp wiper
where it says power to headlight,horn, etc u will run that to LEDs, just double ur wire cause u have 2 LEDS that need power
its 4 simple wires and where u see switch u could mount a switch under dash or wherever if you wanna be able to turn them completely off, I have done a few this way for stealth, on mine its on always
Also, I know everything is wired correctly (and Im not using the altrernator for power in) because when I tap into the COMAND fuse, the lights come on at unlock but they stay on forever (or else I didnt wait long enough for them to turn off). Maybe the 2009 doesn't turn the wipers on until the engine is on? Any suggestions?
Looking forward to see what you end up with! As I am seeking the same functionality as you. Please keep us updated.
I really hope it's doable
Last edited by Mario204; Feb 25, 2014 at 02:36 PM.
Last edited by jimmythegreek; Feb 26, 2014 at 12:46 PM.
On a side note to others considering this project...I've found the part numbers for the actual wire contacts for the DRL plugs. They weren't cheap at the dealership, but they seem to be much cheaper online. Part number and image below.
A 000 982 30 26
Parts are special order and will be charged at least 10% restock fee. LEDs are none re-refundable.
My question is if it will fit a 2009 c350?
I ran for 1 year with only the front bumper done and it will fit without a hassle except that you will see a minor gap Under the headlamps between the headlamps and the bumper. Nothing too major and no one will probably ever notice. If you decide to swap the headlights and the Hood like I did you will need to also swap the headlight connectors and it will require better electrical skills to figure out what goes where. You will actually need to remove the metal terminals from the connector and insert them back in the new ones and a couple of metal terminals are smaller in the new set up. Also you will need to install a load resistor to one of your eyebrow wires since you will only use one to the new headlamp. I bought an aluminum C63 Hood (retrofit because original will not fit) and a beautiful set of DEPO halogen headlights. You can find those headlights on eBay for around $400 for the set and they are excellent quality and very well detailed. The great part is that they have the projector lens instead of reflectors and they also have a shutter for the hi-beams which means that if you install an aftermarket CANBUS HID Xenon kit you will be able to still have the hi-beams functionnal.
Also I have re-used the stock fog lights which I have installed behind the lower grill of my new bumper so all wires re-used, no error codes and great look for free. I just made some brackets with aluminium flatbar which I have screwed to the aluminum bumper reinforcment.
Also I re-used the bumper corner light wires (since there are none on my new bumper) to install ambient lighting thru the grills of my vented front fenders. I have installed them way behind so that you don't actually see the light itself but only a nice devil red glare :- ) Once again no error codes since I used LEDs with the same watts as the OEM 5W bulbs.
I bought my facelift C63 retro-fit bumper from one of the forum member. His name is gary@suvneer it was a perfect fit and OEM quality bumper made of polypropylene (nothing like the crappy fiberglass schit)
Good luck
Last edited by toxicwaste; Dec 16, 2014 at 03:26 PM.





