Is there an ignition switch 12v inside the doors?
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1997 c230, 1999 e320 4matic
Is there an ignition switch 12v inside the doors?
Does anyone know if there is an ignition switch 12v wire inside the doors of my 1999 e320 4matic? I am trying to install some lights that need to go on and off with the ignition. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 245
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From: Los Angeles
1997 E420
Sounds like you are looking for a "switched positive wire" not an ignition switch -- that's a totally different thing LOL.
The short answer is yes but you'll have to look it up on a schematic somewhere unless someone knows off the top of their head what you can tap.
Are you pretty good with electrical? If you don't know how to tap a wiring harness cleanly then it might be better to run your own switched wire, maybe off the stereo wiring harness -- which is oftentimes already butchered anyway.
The short answer is yes but you'll have to look it up on a schematic somewhere unless someone knows off the top of their head what you can tap.
Are you pretty good with electrical? If you don't know how to tap a wiring harness cleanly then it might be better to run your own switched wire, maybe off the stereo wiring harness -- which is oftentimes already butchered anyway.
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 245
Likes: 11
From: Los Angeles
1997 E420
By the way -- are you sure you want this light on ALL the time when the ignition is turned on? That seems pretty odd. What kind of light is this and how much power does it draw? If it is substantial, you'll probably need to run a dedicated power line from the fuse box (or a fused line directly from the battery) and then use a relay to turn it on and off.
My first thought was that you were installing lighted sill plates but those generally only need to be on when the door is open and maybe also with the headlights. But they also wouldn't need to be keyed with the ignition. So I don't really know what you are doing and what kind of light needs to be on all the time.
My first thought was that you were installing lighted sill plates but those generally only need to be on when the door is open and maybe also with the headlights. But they also wouldn't need to be keyed with the ignition. So I don't really know what you are doing and what kind of light needs to be on all the time.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2015
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1997 c230, 1999 e320 4matic
Yes, I am good at electrical, so that wouldn't be a problem. I have checked almost every wire with my meter and cannot find an ignition switched 12v wire.
The reason that I need such a wire is I have installed some el wire that accents the lines of the door, similar to what they are now doing with todays modern MB cars. It does not require much power, but does require a switched 12v source. Basically I want the lights to operate like the radio, turning on and staying on once the ignition is enabled. I am trying not to install a new line because I imagine that it is a big job trying to fish the line through to the door. I want to make sure that there is not a 12v ignition switched wire first.
The reason that I need such a wire is I have installed some el wire that accents the lines of the door, similar to what they are now doing with todays modern MB cars. It does not require much power, but does require a switched 12v source. Basically I want the lights to operate like the radio, turning on and staying on once the ignition is enabled. I am trying not to install a new line because I imagine that it is a big job trying to fish the line through to the door. I want to make sure that there is not a 12v ignition switched wire first.
Last edited by bossmoney; Mar 21, 2015 at 12:16 PM.
