$10 modification, you all can do it~~~~~~~~~~~
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Bellevue, WA
.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
$10 modification, you all can do it~~~~~~~~~~~
Like those Lexus GS w/ White License plate light?
Well............ this modification can last approximately 100,000 hours - That's about 92 years!!!!!!! (3 hours driving a day w/ lights on)
I didn't buy the "Xeon bulb" because it is still gas charged, and it exceed 5W of what MB recommended. LED mod basically has no heat and will not over load your current.
1. Get a pair of 6-LED festoon bulb from ebay. ($8)-size between 36mm to 41mm
2. Get a 100 ohm 10W resistor from Radioshack ($2)
Step 1, replace your license plate festoon w/ LED Festoon.
Step 2, Parallel connect, ONE of the resistor to the Positive and negavie wire of your festoon socket.
(remember, all you need is ONE resistor for both side, because they are in-line current)
********* they are actually brighter than the picture I provided, (it is rainning) and NO MORE "DEFECTIVE LAMP" warning on your cluster **************
Well............ this modification can last approximately 100,000 hours - That's about 92 years!!!!!!! (3 hours driving a day w/ lights on)
I didn't buy the "Xeon bulb" because it is still gas charged, and it exceed 5W of what MB recommended. LED mod basically has no heat and will not over load your current.
1. Get a pair of 6-LED festoon bulb from ebay. ($8)-size between 36mm to 41mm
2. Get a 100 ohm 10W resistor from Radioshack ($2)
Step 1, replace your license plate festoon w/ LED Festoon.
Step 2, Parallel connect, ONE of the resistor to the Positive and negavie wire of your festoon socket.
(remember, all you need is ONE resistor for both side, because they are in-line current)
********* they are actually brighter than the picture I provided, (it is rainning) and NO MORE "DEFECTIVE LAMP" warning on your cluster **************
Last edited by no_clue; May 18, 2006 at 02:03 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,160
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From: New York
14'G63 AMG ,1994 Mercedes E500, 2020 Range Rover HST
Real nice my friend just bought the new GS and the only think i like on it is those lights
, also can you make a picture of how one has to install the resistor.
Thank You
, also can you make a picture of how one has to install the resistor.Thank You
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 606
Likes: 4
From: Bellevue, WA
.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
Originally Posted by hubert
Also wchich bulbs 36 mm or 39mm.
Below is the diagram, hope you understand, very simple.
*** ONLY ONE Side need resistor to "fool" your Car ****
Last edited by no_clue; May 17, 2006 at 11:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 606
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From: Bellevue, WA
.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
Originally Posted by Alexbenz
so basically the resistor gets hooked up to the postive and the other side to the negative and only on 1 side , right?
Just for the side note:
100 ohm 10W resistor draw ONLY 1.44 Watts.
Needless to say, enough to "fool" that car that the bulb still working.
I have tried the 50 ohm 10W resistor which draw about 2.88 Watt, they works fine also. (that is if you can't find the 100 ohm 10W resistor from RadioShack)
Higher the resistant, less current your car use.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
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From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by no_clue
Like those Lexus GS w/ White License plate light?
Well............ this modification can last approximately 100,000 hours - That's about 92 years!!!!!!! (3 hours driving a day w/ lights on)
I didn't buy the "Xeon bulb" because it is still gas charged, and it exceed 5W of what MB recommended. LED mod basically has no heat and will not over load your current.
1. Get a pair of 6-LED festoon bulb from ebay. ($8)
2. Get a 100 ohm 10W resistor from Radioshack ($2)
Step 1, replace your license plate festoon w/ LED Festoon.
Step 2, Parallel connect, ONE of the resistor to the Positive and negavie wire of your festoon socket.
(remember, all you need is ONE resistor for both side, because they are in-line current)
********* they are actually brighter than the picture I provided, (it is rainning) and NO MORE "DEFECTIVE LAMP" warning on your cluster **************
Well............ this modification can last approximately 100,000 hours - That's about 92 years!!!!!!! (3 hours driving a day w/ lights on)
I didn't buy the "Xeon bulb" because it is still gas charged, and it exceed 5W of what MB recommended. LED mod basically has no heat and will not over load your current.
1. Get a pair of 6-LED festoon bulb from ebay. ($8)
2. Get a 100 ohm 10W resistor from Radioshack ($2)
Step 1, replace your license plate festoon w/ LED Festoon.
Step 2, Parallel connect, ONE of the resistor to the Positive and negavie wire of your festoon socket.
(remember, all you need is ONE resistor for both side, because they are in-line current)
********* they are actually brighter than the picture I provided, (it is rainning) and NO MORE "DEFECTIVE LAMP" warning on your cluster **************
If it has no heat then why are you using a 10W resistor.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 606
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From: Bellevue, WA
.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
Originally Posted by benzmodz
If it has no heat then why are you using a 10W resistor.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Bellevue, WA
.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
Originally Posted by cragigotgame
Im planning on doing all my interior lights with led's also.
Last edited by no_clue; May 18, 2006 at 02:33 AM.
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
Sean's Sister--
Originally Posted by no_clue
YES ONLY ONE SIDE NEEDED.
Just for the side note:
100 ohm 10W resistor draw ONLY 1.44 Watts.
Needless to say, enough to "fool" that car that the bulb still working.
I have tried the 50 ohm 10W resistor which draw about 2.88 Watt, they works fine also. (that is if you can't find the 100 ohm 10W resistor from RadioShack)
Higher the resistant, less current your car use.
Just for the side note:
100 ohm 10W resistor draw ONLY 1.44 Watts.
Needless to say, enough to "fool" that car that the bulb still working.
I have tried the 50 ohm 10W resistor which draw about 2.88 Watt, they works fine also. (that is if you can't find the 100 ohm 10W resistor from RadioShack)
Higher the resistant, less current your car use.
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
I still don't get how to do this. lol Would this work on my W124? how do you connect the resistor? do you solder it to the bulb socket or what!? 
Last edited by CDP; May 18, 2006 at 06:17 AM.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Bellevue, WA
.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
Originally Posted by Alexbenz
do you have a link to the ebay section for the bulbs?? i wanted to do this a while ago but just havn't had my car
go to ebay in search box, type in "6-led festoon" or "LED festoon"
Sorry, I don't want to advertise for anyone there...
But the guy call "US HOME Direct" is where I got mine. I am on East coast and get my item in 3 days!
Last edited by no_clue; May 18, 2006 at 11:28 AM.
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From: Bellevue, WA
.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
Originally Posted by ChrisDPham
I still don't get how to do this. lol Would this work on my W124? how do you connect the resistor? do you solder it to the bulb socket or what!?
If it doesnt give you "lamp failure" warning on your cluster, then just install any LED bulb that fit your car w/o resistor.
If it does, then just twist and connect the resistor and seal w/ electrical tape.
Last edited by no_clue; May 18, 2006 at 08:22 AM.
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From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
Great job...I've tried with some festoons which are supposed to have built in resistors but still the warnings came up - perhaps the resistors aren't spec'd right? I might try them with the resistors as recommended by No Clue here...cuz I really have "no clue", hahahaha!
j/k sorry...
Excuse my ignorance No Clue but why don't you get some festoons with 8 or more LEDs? I have the ones with 8 LEDs but heard there are some with 12 LEDs even...the search continues...Also, are those superbright LEDs? The 8-led one's I tried, even without a resistor are quite dim.
j/k sorry... Excuse my ignorance No Clue but why don't you get some festoons with 8 or more LEDs? I have the ones with 8 LEDs but heard there are some with 12 LEDs even...the search continues...Also, are those superbright LEDs? The 8-led one's I tried, even without a resistor are quite dim.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Bellevue, WA
.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
Originally Posted by Whitey
Great job...I've tried with some festoons which are supposed to have built in resistors but still the warnings came up - perhaps the resistors aren't spec'd right? I might try them with the resistors as recommended by No Clue here...cuz I really have "no clue", hahahaha! j/k sorry...
Excuse my ignorance No Clue but why don't you get some festoons with 8 or more LEDs? I have the ones with 8 LEDs but heard there are some with 12 LEDs even...the search continues...Also, are those superbright LEDs? The 8-led one's I tried, even without a resistor are quite dim.
j/k sorry... Excuse my ignorance No Clue but why don't you get some festoons with 8 or more LEDs? I have the ones with 8 LEDs but heard there are some with 12 LEDs even...the search continues...Also, are those superbright LEDs? The 8-led one's I tried, even without a resistor are quite dim.
Yes, they have 8 or 9 LED festoon.
8-LED also works w/ the same resistor. (it is just bit too long and I have to jam into the socket)
Bare in mind, 6-LED is bright enough, just that your license bulb lens, may be too "yellowish" or "not clear" due to time.
Also "RESISTOR" I recommend to install has NOTHING to do w/ the performance of these LED bulb. Its sole purpose is just to "fool" your car that license bulb are working perfectly.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Richardson, TX
'04 Cobra & '04 S430
Remember a few things about LEDs = they only allow current to flow one direction - so if it doesn't light up, install the bulb the other way around.
I think the main purpose of the resistor is to allow more current flow in order to trick the car into thinking that it has a bulb there. The LEDs are a very low power (low current) components, so because of the very little amount of current flowing the car assumes no bulb is there. That's what I'm gathering at least.
I think the main purpose of the resistor is to allow more current flow in order to trick the car into thinking that it has a bulb there. The LEDs are a very low power (low current) components, so because of the very little amount of current flowing the car assumes no bulb is there. That's what I'm gathering at least.
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From: Bellevue, WA
.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
Whitey.....
BTW, I use 6-LED just want people to go... "WoW"
Not to seduce Cop to write down my plate number. blaha....
Also...I don't know about you guys...
if too bright, that make your Mercedes looks like....... Civic
(no offense here, Civic is a great car)
BTW, I use 6-LED just want people to go... "WoW"
Not to seduce Cop to write down my plate number. blaha....
Also...I don't know about you guys...
if too bright, that make your Mercedes looks like....... Civic
(no offense here, Civic is a great car)
Last edited by no_clue; May 18, 2006 at 11:16 AM.
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From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
Oh yes, by the way its configured (in parallel), of course its not going to affect the brightness...my bad, sorry...wasn't thinking right, haha.
But are they the super bright ones? cuz my 8 LED ones (which are too short actually, I guess the length of housing really depends on the brand u get) are definitely not as bright as the original halogens....certainly no where near rice nor acceptable for that matter.
Thanx.
But are they the super bright ones? cuz my 8 LED ones (which are too short actually, I guess the length of housing really depends on the brand u get) are definitely not as bright as the original halogens....certainly no where near rice nor acceptable for that matter.
Thanx.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Bellevue, WA
.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
Originally Posted by Whitey
Oh yes, by the way its configured (in parallel), of course its not going to affect the brightness...my bad, sorry...wasn't thinking right, haha.
But are they the super bright ones? cuz my 8 LED ones (which are too short actually, I guess the length of housing really depends on the brand u get) are definitely not as bright as the original halogens....certainly no where near rice nor acceptable for that matter.
Thanx.
But are they the super bright ones? cuz my 8 LED ones (which are too short actually, I guess the length of housing really depends on the brand u get) are definitely not as bright as the original halogens....certainly no where near rice nor acceptable for that matter.
Thanx.
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
Originally Posted by no_clue
I am not sure about w124. It may not even need a resistor. (try take out one of your festoon bulb and see if it give you the warning light)
If it doesnt give you "lamp failure" warning on your cluster, then just install any LED bulb that fit your car w/o resistor.
If it does, then just twist and connect the resistor and seal w/ electrical tape.
If it doesnt give you "lamp failure" warning on your cluster, then just install any LED bulb that fit your car w/o resistor.
If it does, then just twist and connect the resistor and seal w/ electrical tape.
So basically just bend the resistor arms around the bulb socket? lol I'm so electrical illiterate so please bare with me!
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From: Bellevue, WA
.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
Originally Posted by ChrisDPham
thanks for the update. I just purchased them. So basically just bend the resistor arms around the bulb socket? lol I'm so electrical illiterate so please bare with me!
So basically just bend the resistor arms around the bulb socket? lol I'm so electrical illiterate so please bare with me!Really, I am NO rocket scientiest!!!!
I don't even like solder. blaha..
JUst twist connect one end of the resistor to Positive, and one end to the negative of your bulb socket.
p.s. have you tried remove one of your festoon bulb to see if your car give you "lamp defective" warning light?
You might not even need the resistor if W124 doesn't has current detector on the license blub?
pps. W124 might also good cool w/ White side market? Since you have the clear lens?
Last edited by no_clue; May 18, 2006 at 03:33 PM.
