Jun 8, 2015, 03:26 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
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Illuminated star fitted.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 282
Likes: 3
From: Bellingham WA
Audi R8
Semi off topic, but considering it involves the center star you guys would be the best to ask.
Basically I am torn whether to do a full blacked out 507 style grille or not. However, if I purchased one that was all black like what's offered online, can't I just swap my factory grille's star over if I decided later to go that route?
If so then I will just buy an all black and see which one I prefer once all the chrome is removed from the vehicle.
Basically I am torn whether to do a full blacked out 507 style grille or not. However, if I purchased one that was all black like what's offered online, can't I just swap my factory grille's star over if I decided later to go that route?
If so then I will just buy an all black and see which one I prefer once all the chrome is removed from the vehicle.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 14
From: dfw
'10 C63
so this kit replaces the star that is already on the grill?
so if you follow the installation instructions, this will work on a prefacelift c63...
i'm a little confused with the always on talk... if you connect it to you parking lights... it will only be lit at night right? and nothing will happen when you lock and unlock the car... but if you connect to SAM, whoever the heck that is, it will go on and off and always be on at night?
any of these options also make it always on during the day other than hooking it up to the DRL? i have drl off on my car
so if you follow the installation instructions, this will work on a prefacelift c63...
i'm a little confused with the always on talk... if you connect it to you parking lights... it will only be lit at night right? and nothing will happen when you lock and unlock the car... but if you connect to SAM, whoever the heck that is, it will go on and off and always be on at night?
any of these options also make it always on during the day other than hooking it up to the DRL? i have drl off on my car
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 670
Likes: 7
From: Alberta
2014 E63 AMG S
so this kit replaces the star that is already on the grill?
so if you follow the installation instructions, this will work on a prefacelift c63...
i'm a little confused with the always on talk... if you connect it to you parking lights... it will only be lit at night right? and nothing will happen when you lock and unlock the car... but if you connect to SAM, whoever the heck that is, it will go on and off and always be on at night?
any of these options also make it always on during the day other than hooking it up to the DRL? i have drl off on my car
so if you follow the installation instructions, this will work on a prefacelift c63...
i'm a little confused with the always on talk... if you connect it to you parking lights... it will only be lit at night right? and nothing will happen when you lock and unlock the car... but if you connect to SAM, whoever the heck that is, it will go on and off and always be on at night?
any of these options also make it always on during the day other than hooking it up to the DRL? i have drl off on my car
i don't think it will fit a pre-fl grill. I think the pre-fl star would twist to remove. the fl illuminated star is held in by 3 tabs.
if you connect it to the parking lights, it will be on only with the parking lights. is this a serious question?
the SAM is a logic controller for the vehicle. the "by the book" installation of the star includes a SAM module to plug into the vehicle SAM so the star can be controlled by the vehicle "computer". This allows whatever functionality your vehicle is programmed for, which by default is something like always on while driving, 1 min after unlock, and 1 min after parking. In Canada the module is programmed differently because a 3rd front light is not road legal.
you can make it always on by finding a ignition wire, splicing it to a relay which turns on your star.
i run mine by splicing my parking light. it is literally two wires, one from my parking light, and a ground. the star turns on to full brightness whenever the parking light turns on, which is unlock/lock, driving with low beams on, or switching to parking lights + DRLs.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 14
From: dfw
'10 C63
it replaces the star.
i don't think it will fit a pre-fl grill. I think the pre-fl star would twist to remove. the fl illuminated star is held in by 3 tabs.
if you connect it to the parking lights, it will be on only with the parking lights. is this a serious question?
the SAM is a logic controller for the vehicle. the "by the book" installation of the star includes a SAM module to plug into the vehicle SAM so the star can be controlled by the vehicle "computer". This allows whatever functionality your vehicle is programmed for, which by default is something like always on while driving, 1 min after unlock, and 1 min after parking. In Canada the module is programmed differently because a 3rd front light is not road legal.
you can make it always on by finding a ignition wire, splicing it to a relay which turns on your star.
i run mine by splicing my parking light. it is literally two wires, one from my parking light, and a ground. the star turns on to full brightness whenever the parking light turns on, which is unlock/lock, driving with low beams on, or switching to parking lights + DRLs.
i don't think it will fit a pre-fl grill. I think the pre-fl star would twist to remove. the fl illuminated star is held in by 3 tabs.
if you connect it to the parking lights, it will be on only with the parking lights. is this a serious question?
the SAM is a logic controller for the vehicle. the "by the book" installation of the star includes a SAM module to plug into the vehicle SAM so the star can be controlled by the vehicle "computer". This allows whatever functionality your vehicle is programmed for, which by default is something like always on while driving, 1 min after unlock, and 1 min after parking. In Canada the module is programmed differently because a 3rd front light is not road legal.
you can make it always on by finding a ignition wire, splicing it to a relay which turns on your star.
i run mine by splicing my parking light. it is literally two wires, one from my parking light, and a ground. the star turns on to full brightness whenever the parking light turns on, which is unlock/lock, driving with low beams on, or switching to parking lights + DRLs.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 670
Likes: 7
From: Alberta
2014 E63 AMG S
Generally I just don't recommend doing the SAM module at all, because it is twice the cost of just the star, and gives no benefit.
I've been running the star spliced to my parking light for over a year with no issue. It's a no brainer. The star doesn't require any complex circuitry, it's literally just a 12v accessory.
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
95 SL320
I hope you guys didn't pay over 80 bucks for your stars. I got one off ebay, It's BLUE in color, took out the existing star in my grille, ran one wire t,o the fuse box and the other to ground, works great with the par
king lights.
king lights.
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Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
95 SL320
I had to modify mine a little, had to get rid of the hood release lever and go with a string. Since the 99 E320 did not have a star in the grille, had to get the aftermarket sport grille then take the star out of it and put my star in and where the original star on the hood was, replaced it with the MB round badge.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 14
From: dfw
'10 C63
i was thinking of buying the grill from 55tech and maybe do this illuminated star mod...
oh well...
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
95 SL320
The aftermarket illuminated star I got is just a little bit larger then the sport grille, but I just pushed it in, it went all the way in except for about 1 qtr inch, no problem, just super glued it in place and works great.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 670
Likes: 7
From: Alberta
2014 E63 AMG S
55tech grills definitely use ML-Class stars.
I've been down this path before, I asked 55tech as well as every ebay seller I could find that sells 2012 C-Class grilles asking them for the model number of the star they use. They all use W163 ML-Class stars. Illuminated stars exist for W166 ML-Class, but they are a different size.
The only grills that will house a factory W204 illuminated star are the FL C-Class grille (3 fin), and the FL C-Class Coupe grille (2 fin)
I've been down this path before, I asked 55tech as well as every ebay seller I could find that sells 2012 C-Class grilles asking them for the model number of the star they use. They all use W163 ML-Class stars. Illuminated stars exist for W166 ML-Class, but they are a different size.
The only grills that will house a factory W204 illuminated star are the FL C-Class grille (3 fin), and the FL C-Class Coupe grille (2 fin)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 14
From: dfw
'10 C63
55tech grills definitely use ML-Class stars.
I've been down this path before, I asked 55tech as well as every ebay seller I could find that sells 2012 C-Class grilles asking them for the model number of the star they use. They all use W163 ML-Class stars. Illuminated stars exist for W166 ML-Class, but they are a different size.
The only grills that will house a factory W204 illuminated star are the FL C-Class grille (3 fin), and the FL C-Class Coupe grille (2 fin)
I've been down this path before, I asked 55tech as well as every ebay seller I could find that sells 2012 C-Class grilles asking them for the model number of the star they use. They all use W163 ML-Class stars. Illuminated stars exist for W166 ML-Class, but they are a different size.
The only grills that will house a factory W204 illuminated star are the FL C-Class grille (3 fin), and the FL C-Class Coupe grille (2 fin)
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 3
Can you tell me which fuse # that you tap at fuse box? Do you use Add a fuse to manage this?
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
95 SL320
I used one of the fuses in the fuse box located on the drivers side of the dash for the parking lights, so when you turn on your parking lights it turns on the Illuminated Star. You will have to route the wire underneath the hood all the way up the drivers side thru where the drivers door is and down to the fuse box. Use a really small gauge wire because there will not be very much room to for the fuse and the wire in the fuse holder.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 3
I doubt the SAM module would even work in a pre-FL car. I have no idea.
Generally I just don't recommend doing the SAM module at all, because it is twice the cost of just the star, and gives no benefit.
I've been running the star spliced to my parking light for over a year with no issue. It's a no brainer. The star doesn't require any complex circuitry, it's literally just a 12v accessory.
Generally I just don't recommend doing the SAM module at all, because it is twice the cost of just the star, and gives no benefit.
I've been running the star spliced to my parking light for over a year with no issue. It's a no brainer. The star doesn't require any complex circuitry, it's literally just a 12v accessory.
Another if I use add a fuse to fuse #23 as someone here mention. Does the result still same? I mean led light will always on.
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
95 SL320
On my Parking lights there is a Grey wire and a Brown Wire. The Grey wire is the power wire and Brown is Ground.
When you turn your Light switch it should turn on your Parking lights, Running Lights and the Star. Second position should add your Low beams.
When you turn your Light switch it should turn on your Parking lights, Running Lights and the Star. Second position should add your Low beams.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 3
I tap on fuse #20 and found sometimes its disturb ignition system. I don't want to tap to the parking light because Sam will check voltage and its may be not working someday. The best way is to wire 12 v from socket front/back by using add a fuse.
Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 231
Likes: 31
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
The easiest way is tapping it directly to the parking light, absolutely no fuse box involved.
What I've done was hooking the red wire (+) with a fork-type connector to the parking light's female plug and grounded the black wire (-). There wouldn't be a problem because it draws little power.
What I've done was hooking the red wire (+) with a fork-type connector to the parking light's female plug and grounded the black wire (-). There wouldn't be a problem because it draws little power.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 3
The easiest way is tapping it directly to the parking light, absolutely no fuse box involved.
What I've done was hooking the red wire (+) with a fork-type connector to the parking light's female plug and grounded the black wire (-). There wouldn't be a problem because it draws little power.
What I've done was hooking the red wire (+) with a fork-type connector to the parking light's female plug and grounded the black wire (-). There wouldn't be a problem because it draws little power.
Be careful one day your Front Sam may working not properly because normally it random check how voltage different than normal bulb. if you are luck it will fine.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 56
Likes: 3
W212 Pre-facelift E300 AMG sport package
Can u please share pictures of your aftermartket star look? Found some cheap ones on ebay, and thinking about pulling the trigger.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 56
Likes: 3
W212 Pre-facelift E300 AMG sport package
The easiest way is tapping it directly to the parking light, absolutely no fuse box involved.
What I've done was hooking the red wire (+) with a fork-type connector to the parking light's female plug and grounded the black wire (-). There wouldn't be a problem because it draws little power.
What I've done was hooking the red wire (+) with a fork-type connector to the parking light's female plug and grounded the black wire (-). There wouldn't be a problem because it draws little power.
I dont want to connect to fuse 23, as the star stays on even if the parking lights are off.
Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 231
Likes: 31
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
If you connect it to the fuse and don't want it to stay lit all the time, then you need a relay which needs parking light to trigger it anyway. Do as what I've done, no fuse hookup no relay. I did not splice the parking light wire at all. I just pushed the illuminated star's fork-type connector into the parking light's plug and it's holding up well.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
W208 CLK convertable
If you like a illuminated Mercedes star try this link
Put this on eBay https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F182951334427 Wordpress.com at illuminatedautoembelems/Wordpress.com for those who want something unique
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
C250 CGI
I got this LED star this week (from China) as well but little did I know that it doesn't fit the aftermarket grill that I have (SL type). The diameter of the LED star is perfect and exact same size as the aftermarket one, but the fitting tabs of the black plastic base are completely different 
I really like it, so I am thinking of butchering the existing tabs of my aftermarket grille to make the illuminated star and the base fit and then look at the option of securing it with screws (or something) from the back.
This is the grille I have:
I really like it, so I am thinking of butchering the existing tabs of my aftermarket grille to make the illuminated star and the base fit and then look at the option of securing it with screws (or something) from the back.
This is the grille I have:
