I found this post on the CLA forum but they were able to tap into the DRLs and have their illuminated star light up on locking/unlocking and when the engine is on.

http://www.mercedescla.org/forum/62-...tml#post149560

Any techkies here want to see if we can do something similar for our vehicle?

Possible but youll need to open the head light assembly, not recommended.

Well if anybody can figure it out for the w205, it will probably be you :boink:

Illuminated Star 2013 C300 Sport
 

Got mine installed today connected to parking lights and installed toggle switch so I could turn on when I want too. check my post for pic.

Well a W204 is a whole different ballgame no problem there,
the W205 requires a lot more work.

I found a technician who does electrical fitting such as this and headlights who agreed to do it for with oem parts. But he said he will wire it such a way that it comes only at night and also when the door it locked and unlocked. That means he might connect it to headlights rather than drl. What do you guys think is better?

The light is so subtle that I seriously doubt it would even be noticeable if it were connected to the DRL. As far as the star illuminating on lock/unlock...IMO not a big deal since lock/unlock takes a split second. Hope that helps...good luck!

Hi all,

I am new to this forum so hopefully I am not violating any rules with this post... I recently tried these DIY steps on my 2016 C300 (without Distronic) with the OEM illuminated star but I can't get the light to turn on for some reason. Headlights are on auto and I've followed these instructions to the T.

Are there any unlisted steps that I should be aware about? If not, would it be safe me for me to try to plug the red wire at a positions neighboring the slots listed in these instructions (ie: the red wire to S9 instead of S8, the 5A into F124?

Thanks in advance,

F.L

Have you tried swithing the leads from the star unit?. being a LED it is pole sensitive and will only work one way.

Also try hooking it up to a different reliable 12V source so that you can determine that the ligting unit works.

Hi Vic,

Thank you for the quick reply!

I will go to the dealership tomorrow and have them verify that my lighting unit is functional.

"Have you tried swithing the leads from the star unit?. being a LED it is pole sensitive and will only work one way."

I haven't tried this yet. Could you elaborate more on what I should try?

Thanks,
F.L

will installing this void warranty
?

If you have an electrical issue post modification I'd bet $5 MB says the warranty is void.

Thanks for your help!

I'm planning to install the illuminating Star on my 2016 W205. However the driver side engine cover in my car doesn't have an access door above the fuze box. The cover appears to be a single piece hinged under the windshield and trapped under the driver side windshield wiper (see pics). Is there a way to access the fuse box w/o taking off the wiper arm and prying from under the windshield?
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...2fce133b6.jpeg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...124f73bfa.jpeg

Hello all, I'm going to attempt this install myself but I have purchased a non oem version of the star. I've been doing some testing and am confused by how the gen 1 units make the star light up when the headlights come on. I've tested fuse F123B and it only gets 12v when the ignition is powered on. How does the gen1 star get power when the car is unlocked? I want my star to come on when the car is locked and unlocked, any ideas would be appreciated!

Anybody!?!?

Anyone? Can I just tap into one of the wires in the back of the headlight connector?

You need to find ignition power, lift the panel pictured above and youll find the front fuse box, there are several points in there from where you can find ignition triggered 12V

Hey Vic. I've done that, F123B in the fuse box gives me 12v when the ignition is on but I was hoping to get the star to illuminate when the car unlocks and locks. On the CLA, people were able to achieve this by tapping into the grey wire in the headlight connector, this is apparently the wire for the parking light. Would you happen to know which wire I could tap into on my W205?

I tested the wires with a multi meter but couldn't find any that changed voltage when the car was unlocked, there seemed to be 2 wires which had permanent 12v

Not possible, as explained in this thread the headlights on the 205 are only controlled by CAN, the headlight has constant Power and the CAN signals control the lights

You would need to open a headlight to use power fed directly from the internal light control unit to the parking light module.

Another way would be to install the system as intended by Benz with the CAN control module and then add ignition power to the star feed line using a diode.

Fantastic reply, thanks Vic! Absolutely invaluable having people like you on this forum.

Just one final question, are you aware if the genuine star with the CAN control module wires up in the exact same way as described in this thread? From the looks of things, the chap who installed the star in this thread has a star without a control module so therefore is on permanently

It is a bit confusing, but there is actually two different control units available,
The US market can coose from "always on" or just having it light up when locking or unlocking the vehicle.

In Europe it is not possible to install the US control module and get it working, I know this because I have tried.

Ahh i see. Thanks again. Looks like i'll have to go with having it come on with ignition only. Damn, really wanted it to activate on unlock!

Hey MM, how did you access the fuse box? Did you have to remove the driver side plastic panel above the fuse box?

Hello there. Yes, the panel is just held into place with a couple of tabs, press them in to release and then just pull upwards.