xxnonamexx

Is this install for the 2008 C Class to convert to the 2011 LED DRL?

PalladiumC300

Parts.com sent me 2 of the same part and it's too big of a pain in the *** to return to them if anybody wants it $25 shipped

Part # 204 885 28 74

blue00r6

yes

chrlbake

Can anybody talk about how they covered up all the wiring connections( so they are safe from outside elements)? Also do you have to cover up the entire portion of the capacitors? Any pictures would be great!
Thanks!!

jimmythegreek

if you do a relay setup theres nothing to cover up. When u tap the existing lighting system u wanna shrink tube all your connections and solder them, thats the pro way of doing. Alot of guys do butt connectors that are heat shrinkable, thats a decent way. I do straight runs back to the relay by the firewall battery side, and use solder/shrinked connections. If you do the relay install you dont need capacitors, u can straight wire them, thats how I do all the installs. On my personal car (2011) I retrofitted mine to be bright all the time. I cut my factory harness and soldered right to the factory harness a foot back from LEDs and shrunk by connectors, theres no better way than solder/heatshrink. depends on how nice a job you wanna do and how much time you're willing to put in on the job

chrlbake

I used to always wire things with soldering then heat shrink. I am goin to wire these into te side markers bc I want then to turn on at night when I hit unlock on they key.... So I guess that's why I wondering how to shrink over the capacitors when I run them in parallel. Any ideas?

Launchstation

Hello, my name is Jay and I am new to the forum. I am retrofitting my '09 C350 to the DRL upgrade. Does anyone know which wire/relay you would have to connect these OEM DRLs to in order to run them at partial brightness at night like the 2011's? The OEM modules appear to have the ballasts encased in the assembly. I was wondering if they were auto-switching with voltage, or switched by the vehicle's software. I was considering buying a set of Hella LEDayflex (7-module) DRL's and using the ballasts that came with the kit. They have connections that allow the LEDs to automatically switch from full to partial brightness depending on the setting of the headlight switch (like the 2011). Just checking to see if there's an easier solution before I pull the trigger and spend $345 on this light kit. Thanks!

jimmythegreek

The LED's are controlled by voltage to dim them. If you run 12volts to them they will be full bright, I think 7volts is the dim setup. It might be 4 volts, cant remember, I actually tested mine when I first got my 2011. U can do the relay setup like I have and just use a resistor to knock down the voltage to less than 12v, if you wanna have them switch like a 2011 you would need some type of aftermarket part. I will tell you that most of us that have 2011's want them full bright, they arent very bright at night, I love the way mine look at night and get lots of compliments and comments on them. They give off a little ambient light at night and kinda help like fog lights do.........

Launchstation

Thanks Greek. I still have a few parts on the way here before I can do the install. Looks like I'll be getting the aftermarket ballasts to replicate the functionality of the 2011 model. The aftermarket ballast has the capability of auto-switching to dim the LED's as a park light. If I want them full bright at a later date. I'll just disconnect that particular wire. I believe this ballast can also be wired into the turn signal wiring to cancel or dim the LED module on the side of the activated turn signal (similar to the Audi and Chrysler vehicles). When you cancel the blinker, the LEDs on that side would go back to full brightness again (in theory). I think I'll experiment and see what setup I like best. The kit does come with two separate ballasts. I think I could get that idea to work (Hmmmmm.....LOL!).

jimmythegreek

just remember the bumper cover has to come off to do the retrofit. Its easy to take off theres good videos on youtube if your not sure how to. personally I like full on all the time, but its your car. I wouldnt bother w the light signal feature, thats handy for audis and such cause the LED is in the headlight and masks the turn signal when on. Ours are so far away it doesnt even matter really, but again your car u do whats best for you bro. Good luck and post if you need anything

PalladiumC300

You don't need to remove the bumper cover I didn't but you do need to be extra careful if you don't remove it

vanbong84

ok lets start with the worst day ever!

The goods, my 2011 LED DRL and all the stuff i needed to install are in.

so as i was skipping happily to my car to get started on the awesome work i'm about to do i come to realize... my foglights slot is smaller than the bracket for the DRL.... WTF?

so heres what happen. i have a 2008 C300 4matic sport but after tons and tons of research i come to the conclusion that my bumper is from the luxury model. i ran to MB and start asking all these question and come to find out that they have luxury, sport elegance, and sport AMG. i have sport elegance which have the sport hood and grill but luxury bumper. wow!!! now i have to wait til monday to buy the bumper and then have it painted and then i can put in the LED lights. i'm gonna go shoot myself now.

SuPER__S

Tooo much to read ! =0(

Wish someone would re-organize this. I'm too stupid !

pnoyworx

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned.... is there a way to wire this through the car's DRL feature. I have an 08 C300, I noticed an option for DRL when I play with the settings on the dash. This feature turns on my headlights as DRL's when I put the key in. Is there a way to tap into the wire that turns on the headlights under DRL mode?

PalladiumC300

That's how mine are wired I also tapped the + from the fogs to turn the low beam and led on when I unlock the car

pnoyworx

great that would be the best way then. I will have to this mod soon!.
It would be great if someone could do a diagram and pictures of the methods they used to wire up. It would be much easier to relate to the text instructions.
I am no electrical wiz, and possibly limited to + - of things. But thanks for all of the things you guys share on here.

pnoyworx

Palladium- when you wired yours up to the DRL feature, does it light up full brightness?

PalladiumC300

They are full bright all the time. I have aftermarket hids so I wired it after the canbus adaptor there was no need for a relay or capacitors

vanbong84

Just a thought here. Since I need to get a new bumper, couldn't I just get the 2011 bumper and not have to cut stuff out? Would a 2011 bumper fit my 08 without having to mess with the mounting points?

blue00r6

Yep, i'd go this route.

jimmythegreek

the 2011 bumper mounts just the same. IF you gotta get a new bumper anyway get a 2011 and then you dont have to hack anything out......

vanbong84

NICE GUYS! Lucky the local dealer has it in stock!

dadangman

hey blue, nice job on the mod and nice job on the write up.. i've been reading your post and i am going to do this to my c350 also!! but i was wondering if i would have any issue similar to Vanbong84? I have a c350 AMG sport package, thanks !

jimmythegreek

there is no issue really. ur sig doesnt say what year your 350 is. if its a 08-10 u just gotta remove some bumper plastic where your fogs are to fit the LED's into, takes like 5 minutes. If you have a F'd up bumper cover and u wanna change it or are gonna anyway you just get a 2011 cover, its the same except the tiny difference in the fog bezel part. I can do these installs in my sleep now

dadangman

thanks greek!!! yeah sorry mine is a 2009 c350.... i can't wait to get this mod on then b/c one of my fog is cracked... and the capacitor can be found at radio shack correct?
.... even thought this is off topic... why are all the fogs made of glass and it's place low near the ground? (i don't get that...) haha