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Will LED tail set off Error Message?

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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 06:00 PM
  #1  
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Will LED tail set off Error Message?

I've searched but couldn't find what I was looking for...
Looking to upgrade the tail lights to the OEM LED's but I'm not sure if it will set off any errors...
Thanks
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 09:26 PM
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4matic C300
Year and package you have on your car
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 09:31 PM
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Sorry. 08 basic. No lighting package or nav, if that helps
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 10:09 PM
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yes, you will get error codes
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 10:50 PM
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Damnit...I don't think that'll stop me though
So what's the deal with the error message? Every time I turn on the car there's a message and I press "ok" and it goes away or does it stay there?

Last edited by areyouin; Dec 30, 2011 at 11:07 PM.
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Old Dec 31, 2011 | 12:57 AM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by areyouin
I've searched but couldn't find what I was looking for...
Looking to upgrade the tail lights to the OEM LED's but I'm not sure if it will set off any errors...
Thanks
Absolutely not. The OE taillights, LED or stockers are interchangeable without any errors or programming unless you are referring to the new 2012 versions.

The aftermarket LEDs from deepest China or California are another matter.

Personal experience.
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Old Dec 31, 2011 | 10:17 AM
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Originally Posted by areyouin
Damnit...I don't think that'll stop me though
So what's the deal with the error message? Every time I turn on the car there's a message and I press "ok" and it goes away or does it stay there?

Yes that's basically it.
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Old Dec 31, 2011 | 10:24 AM
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Ok cool thanks guys!
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Old Dec 31, 2011 | 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by areyouin
Ok cool thanks guys!
Not so fast! These guys have failed to mention that the LEDs are not likely to work at all! Not only do you get a very annoying error, but the computer will turn power to the light OFF. At best, you will have flickering LED lights. Forget it! You need error cancelers (resistors).
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Old Dec 31, 2011 | 04:28 PM
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So many different answers... I'm hesitant to get them at all now. But there has to be people who upgraded to these lights...right?
Please chime in
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Old Dec 31, 2011 | 05:46 PM
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I changed my tails to oem led and no error mass. 2009 c350 withot lighting pac.
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Old Dec 31, 2011 | 05:52 PM
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With regards to the OEM LED tail lights rather than aftermarket LEDs, I am honestly not sure. Either you get the error, they have load resistors built in to prevent the error, or this last poster had his installed by a dealer who coded the car for LED tails thereby preventing the error.

Someone must know the answer to this question for sure...
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Old Jan 1, 2012 | 12:07 AM
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Originally Posted by acr2001
With regards to the OEM LED tail lights rather than aftermarket LEDs, I am honestly not sure. Either you get the error, they have load resistors built in to prevent the error, or this last poster had his installed by a dealer who coded the car for LED tails thereby preventing the error.

Someone must know the answer to this question for sure...
If the OP had said whether he was talking about the new 2012 lights, the answer is different than if he means the earlier LED versions.

Not enough info.
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Old Jan 1, 2012 | 11:15 AM
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Ok, let's clarify (I had similar question) -- using an OEM '08 to '11 LED tail light in a basic package '08-'11 non-LED taillight car -- will it work without errors? Or if there are errors, can they be removed by dealer programming?

What about the '12 OEM LED tail lights in '08-11 non-LED cars?

Thx!
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Old Jan 1, 2012 | 12:25 PM
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Hot_Fur, who bought Derspeed's C300, has OEM LED taillights without P2 and says he bought it from Derspeed like that, so maybe Derspeed could chime in on what he did to get them to work. I assume you would have to have the dealer reprogram for LED taillights.
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Old Jan 1, 2012 | 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by acr2001
Not so fast! These guys have failed to mention that the LEDs are not likely to work at all! Not only do you get a very annoying error, but the computer will turn power to the light OFF. At best, you will have flickering LED lights. Forget it! You need error cancelers (resistors).
Completely totally false.
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Old Jan 1, 2012 | 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by bnam
Ok, let's clarify (I had similar question) -- using an OEM '08 to '11 LED tail light in a basic package '08-'11 non-LED taillight car -- will it work without errors? Or if there are errors, can they be removed by dealer programming?

What about the '12 OEM LED tail lights in '08-11 non-LED cars?

Thx!
Once again:

Question 1:Yes.

Question 2: See answer #1.

Question 3: Programming required.
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Old Jan 1, 2012 | 11:52 PM
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Originally Posted by RLE
Completely totally false.
Woah lets make sure we are on the same page - I think I was unclear, my fault.

I am stating that if you install LED lights that do not have an error canceler (extra resistor that mimics the wattage of the bulb it replaces) you will very often get flickering of the light, and very often it wont light up at all. This is on top of the error that you get.

If this is what you are referring to, then I promise that I am correct and it will flicker / turn off more often than not.

If you mean with the OEM LED tails that are pre-2012, those are not what I was referring to as I honestly do not have a clue with regard to those -- that's why I had made a second post which addressed the OEM tails to be clear.

Last edited by acr2001; Jan 1, 2012 at 11:57 PM.
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Old Jan 1, 2012 | 11:54 PM
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I might just have to buy them to clear the air in here lol

Last edited by areyouin; Jan 1, 2012 at 11:59 PM.
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Old Jan 1, 2012 | 11:58 PM
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Originally Posted by areyouin
I might just have to buy them to clear the air the here lol
It sounds like RLE knows what hes talking about with regard to the different OEM tails. My post was in regard to aftermarket LEDs. Sorry if I confused.
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Old Jan 2, 2012 | 12:04 AM
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Originally Posted by acr2001
Woah lets make sure we are on the same page - I think I was unclear, my fault.

I am stating that if you install LED lights that do not have an error canceler (extra resistor that mimics the wattage of the bulb it replaces) you will very often get flickering of the light, and very often it wont light up at all. This is on top of the error that you get.

If this is what you are referring to, then I promise that I am correct and it will flicker / turn off more often than not.

If you mean with the OEM LED tails that are pre-2012, those are not what I was referring to as I honestly do not have a clue with regard to those -- that's why I had made a second post which addressed the OEM tails to be clear.
I refer you to the original post which referred to OEM to OEM.

"...I've searched but couldn't find what I was looking for...
Looking to upgrade the tail lights to the OEM LED's but I'm not sure if it will set off any errors...
Thanks.."

So, your posts about non-OEM seem to be inappropriate since they are not the subject of this discussion and just introduced an unneeded fog factor.
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Old Jan 2, 2012 | 12:24 AM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by RLE
I refer you to the original post which referred to OEM to OEM.

"...I've searched but couldn't find what I was looking for...
Looking to upgrade the tail lights to the OEM LED's but I'm not sure if it will set off any errors...
Thanks.."

So, your posts about non-OEM seem to be inappropriate since they are not the subject of this discussion and just introduced an unneeded fog factor.
Well, I did make an additional post to clear that up. No use arguing semantics though, you're right I did probably add confusion. Glad we sorted it out.
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Old Jan 4, 2012 | 10:02 AM
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Will the 2012 taillight PNP on the 08 C ?
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Old Jan 4, 2012 | 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by SuPERSaK
Will the 2012 taillight PNP on the 08 C ?
I GIVE UP.
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Old Jan 4, 2012 | 05:10 PM
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Lol I didn't even attempt
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