Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
Browse all: Lighting Guides
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class and AMG: How to Replace Tail Lights
Step by step instructions for do-it-yourself repairs
Browse all: Lighting Guides
2012 W204 LED Taillight Retrofit DIY
#401
Super Member
Ah so there will be an "out of place" light on..thats what I was fearing. Was hoping that there wouldn't be a lower rear tail light or anything of that nature on but sounds like there will be w/o the SAM. Thanks for your replies guys.
Yeah you actually disconnect the green wire on both sides harnesses and connect them together to the trunk light above the rear SAM. This will switch off the fog light and clear the error message on your dash.
But you will still have the lower part of the tail light on.
As i mentioned in post #392 the ultimate fix is to get a 2012 rear SAM already programmed or getting it programmed in a facelift car.
But you will still have the lower part of the tail light on.
As i mentioned in post #392 the ultimate fix is to get a 2012 rear SAM already programmed or getting it programmed in a facelift car.
#404
Member
has any one tried the SPYDER aftermarket led's or these other ones? they claim to not give any error codes:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-2011-Me...e9c3f3&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-2011-Me...e9c3f3&vxp=mtr
#406
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2009 C63
#410
Super Member
I regret not getting this done earlier. Is there anyone who re-programs the SAM? or will I have to look for a SAM from a FL. I think they also bumped up the prices on parts.com
#411
Super Member
Anyone ordered these yet?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171247605691...S:1123&vxp=mtr
The description says:
These taillights fit all 08-14 models.
Dash check light for rear fog light will illuminate for 08-11 models. It can be eliminated with load resistors (Not included) .
LED tail light may trigger dash check light. LED load resistors not included.
So does that mean, I dont have to get the SAM reprogrammed if I install load resistors?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171247605691...S:1123&vxp=mtr
The description says:
These taillights fit all 08-14 models.
Dash check light for rear fog light will illuminate for 08-11 models. It can be eliminated with load resistors (Not included) .
LED tail light may trigger dash check light. LED load resistors not included.
So does that mean, I dont have to get the SAM reprogrammed if I install load resistors?
#412
MBWorld Fanatic!
Anyone ordered these yet?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171247605691...S:1123&vxp=mtr
The description says:
These taillights fit all 08-14 models.
Dash check light for rear fog light will illuminate for 08-11 models. It can be eliminated with load resistors (Not included) .
LED tail light may trigger dash check light. LED load resistors not included.
So does that mean, I dont have to get the SAM reprogrammed if I install load resistors?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171247605691...S:1123&vxp=mtr
The description says:
These taillights fit all 08-14 models.
Dash check light for rear fog light will illuminate for 08-11 models. It can be eliminated with load resistors (Not included) .
LED tail light may trigger dash check light. LED load resistors not included.
So does that mean, I dont have to get the SAM reprogrammed if I install load resistors?
#413
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Toronto York-R, Canada
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
E92 335i / C63 AMG / GSX-R 600
I heard the quality of the ebay lights are crap so I picked up some OEM ones.
I found a shop locally who can program them "offline", but doesn't have the subscription to make the change "online" in mercedes' database.
This is the 1st time I have heard about online/offline programming. Does anybody know if the programming will be good enough if done offline only?
I found a shop locally who can program them "offline", but doesn't have the subscription to make the change "online" in mercedes' database.
This is the 1st time I have heard about online/offline programming. Does anybody know if the programming will be good enough if done offline only?
#414
MBWorld Fanatic!
That would be me. They look and act like OEM so SAM reprogram is required and just like OEM my 2010 cannot be programmed. Fog light lit and brake light half lit.
Last edited by aznmode; 03-28-2014 at 09:47 PM.
#415
MBWorld Fanatic!
#416
If someone knows how to decode the sam using XENTRY developer program please contact with me...Since 2012, DAS software is not compatible with W204 chasis...
I am willing to pay any info, I am located in europe...
I am willing to pay any info, I am located in europe...
#417
MBWorld Fanatic!
Also, if you are in the bay area and have a 2009, I know a shop in Santa Clara that has a 2008 DAS and it looks like he can access the menu to reprogram a 2009 SAM. This is from Sid's 2009 c63 when we took it there.
I gave him the PDF found here. Thanks to MBENZTECH!
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ights-how.html
His info below:
Chris Bassett
President
Precision Motorworks
408-985-2316
Info@precision-motorworks.com
Last edited by aznmode; 03-28-2014 at 09:50 PM.
#418
Thank you thank you thank you , ........ I have a 2009 c63 and this PDF should work right ? I need to find someone who has das or can the dealer do this for me? I have the oem 2012 lights bought from dealer
Anybody in the Vancouver B . C . Area that can do this ???
Anybody in the Vancouver B . C . Area that can do this ???
#421
Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mercedes c220 Cdi Sport Blue Efficiency
The 2012 facelift taillights I ordered from Germany finally arrived from a seller I found on eBay after 3 weeks. Thanks to member DOME for being the first to retrofit these lights, I felt comfortable knowing these would work. As you can see from the pics, the surface of the lights are smooth compared to the originals which are recessed in areas.
Also, the turn signal on these lights are orange, compared to the red signals on North American W204s. Who knows if the 2012 W204s will have orange or red for the U.S., but I have zero preference either way. But the orange provides a better contrast when signalling so I'll take it.
The new taillights are noticeably brighter than the old ones. The illumination on the back of my garage door was obvious when comparing side by side, even though as of now the rear fogs are illuminated as well. Even with the fogs programmed to be off, these are brighter taillights.
Comparison shot:
Here are the part numbers if anyone is interested:
Installation was fairly simple. You need to remove the plastic cover just above the rear bumper when you open the trunk so that you can in turn move the trunk liner a bit. There are two push pins and a tie hold down on both sides that need to be removed from the trunk liner so you can peel it back just enough to get your hand behind it to remove one of the nuts holding the taillights in place. The other 3 nuts you can access easily enough by removing the covers.
As you can somewhat tell from this picture, without being programmed, the rear fog lights are illuminated. There is a single LED near the top corner, and 4 LEDs above the top light strip. I am not 100% positive if the 4 LEDs above the light strip are indeed the fogs or simply part of the normal illumination. But these LEDs are found on both LEFT and RIGHT taillights. Other than that, the lights work flawlessly and the wiring harness plugs right in, with no error codes displayed on the dash.
There is a shop local to me that does have the developer software to program these lights which I will eventually take to him, the only problem is the language is in German and the translations aren't always direct so it may take some time to find the right menu, etc. BUT, I think they look great even as they are now and would not be upset if for some reason I could not get them programmed to turn off the rear fogs.
So there you have it! All in all I'm very happy with the new tails. It gives the car a fresh modern look, and I love the LED strips. Next on the list is the 2012 front bumper and LEDs, which I'm told might be available sometime in May, although I'm not holding my breath on that.
Also, the turn signal on these lights are orange, compared to the red signals on North American W204s. Who knows if the 2012 W204s will have orange or red for the U.S., but I have zero preference either way. But the orange provides a better contrast when signalling so I'll take it.
The new taillights are noticeably brighter than the old ones. The illumination on the back of my garage door was obvious when comparing side by side, even though as of now the rear fogs are illuminated as well. Even with the fogs programmed to be off, these are brighter taillights.
Comparison shot:
Here are the part numbers if anyone is interested:
Installation was fairly simple. You need to remove the plastic cover just above the rear bumper when you open the trunk so that you can in turn move the trunk liner a bit. There are two push pins and a tie hold down on both sides that need to be removed from the trunk liner so you can peel it back just enough to get your hand behind it to remove one of the nuts holding the taillights in place. The other 3 nuts you can access easily enough by removing the covers.
As you can somewhat tell from this picture, without being programmed, the rear fog lights are illuminated. There is a single LED near the top corner, and 4 LEDs above the top light strip. I am not 100% positive if the 4 LEDs above the light strip are indeed the fogs or simply part of the normal illumination. But these LEDs are found on both LEFT and RIGHT taillights. Other than that, the lights work flawlessly and the wiring harness plugs right in, with no error codes displayed on the dash.
There is a shop local to me that does have the developer software to program these lights which I will eventually take to him, the only problem is the language is in German and the translations aren't always direct so it may take some time to find the right menu, etc. BUT, I think they look great even as they are now and would not be upset if for some reason I could not get them programmed to turn off the rear fogs.
So there you have it! All in all I'm very happy with the new tails. It gives the car a fresh modern look, and I love the LED strips. Next on the list is the 2012 front bumper and LEDs, which I'm told might be available sometime in May, although I'm not holding my breath on that.
#422
How much did it run you ?
#423
Junior Member
Ok so I have good news for those who still want to upgrade to LEDs. I just did what was suggested by whipplem104 a few threads above. I bought an used rear SAM coming from a facelift model (thanks ebay germany!). I received it yesterday and just installed it tonight.
It's working perfectly so far. Plug and play. I just replaced my OEM with the FL one. No more fog light permanently on neither the bottom part of the tail light
Obviously you need to make sure the SAM has been already coded in a facelift car. That is why I recommend to buy a used one. Plus it cost me 235$ which is a lot less than MSRP.
For those willing to go this route here is the part number to look for :
A204 900 56 01
It's working perfectly so far. Plug and play. I just replaced my OEM with the FL one. No more fog light permanently on neither the bottom part of the tail light
Obviously you need to make sure the SAM has been already coded in a facelift car. That is why I recommend to buy a used one. Plus it cost me 235$ which is a lot less than MSRP.
For those willing to go this route here is the part number to look for :
A204 900 56 01
Many thanks in advance.