Jun 29, 2015, 03:59 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
Browse all: Lighting Guides
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class: How to Install Illuminated Star
Step by step instructions for do-it-yourself repairs
Browse all: Lighting Guides
Illuminated Star Installation help!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 695
From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
actually mine is tapped directly into the fuse panel at fuse 23. You can see where it is connected directly to the fuse No splicing
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 695
From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
It more than likely is touching another fuse where it has been rubbing on and the bouncing of the car is causing it to rub on the other fuse and that causes it to go on some times. There has to be a short somewhere and it is touching something. I would pull the wire out of the panel and tape it and put it back in. Try it and see if it works.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 4
From: Wisconsin
2015 E400 Coupe, and 2011 E350 Sedan
Fuse taps are really a no-no. They spread the fuse clips out and can cause shorts.
The best way to do this for advanced people is to use the lighting wire to control a relay. The contacts on the relay go directly to the battery with a fuse in-line to protect the light up star. Bosch makes automotive relays that are for this purpose that cost <$10
This way you don't overload your lighting circuit or cause any other weirdness to influence the cars computer because you isolate the circuits through the relay.
The best way to do this for advanced people is to use the lighting wire to control a relay. The contacts on the relay go directly to the battery with a fuse in-line to protect the light up star. Bosch makes automotive relays that are for this purpose that cost <$10
This way you don't overload your lighting circuit or cause any other weirdness to influence the cars computer because you isolate the circuits through the relay.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 695
From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
I guess I am really lucky. For over 50 years I have been taping onto fuses. Each and every car I have owned. Not once have I had any sort of problem. I have found that if done properly you can use the fuse that you want to connect to. I would really like to see how the add a fuse works with using the fuse you need to connect to in order to have it go on when you want it to go on. For the illuminated grill I believe it was fuse 23 under the hood. Just a lucky guy when it comes to tapping. I had no idea there was another way to do it. I guess I am just old school and do not keep up with what is new but I am always willing to learn.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 4
From: Wisconsin
2015 E400 Coupe, and 2011 E350 Sedan
dbldpr - When I was in college I used to install automotive electronics. I installed high-end car audio, cruise control, alarm systems, phones, lights, etc... I'm now an electrical engineer.
There are a few issues with using fuse taps.
1. They expand the fuse clips to the point that they sometimes over time will fail to work properly.
2. The fuse tap is sourcing additional power off a circuit designed for 'x' amount of milliamps. Some cars can actually throw codes doing this - especially high end luxury cars with the new LED lighting systems.
The proper way to add ANY new electrically operated device to a car, is to run a new line directly from the battery. You properly size and fuse the new feed. To control the operation of the system tied into another system you drive the new system off of a control relay. The control relay is a small electro-mechanical device that draws very little current and essentially functions as a switch. The power for your new item is fed off the battery then not an existing system.
Connections to the existing system (say for example the lighting circuit) should be opened up where you remove about 1/4" of the insulation off the power wire, solder a new connection to this and tape and shrink wrap up the soldered connection.
There is a proper way to do things in a car environment so the work lasts forever. There are of course short cuts, but I'd caution anyone from doing them in a expensive luxury car. That method may have worked 50 years ago, but since 1990 I've been doing this stuff the correct way and can tell you how you should be doing it today.
There are a few issues with using fuse taps.
1. They expand the fuse clips to the point that they sometimes over time will fail to work properly.
2. The fuse tap is sourcing additional power off a circuit designed for 'x' amount of milliamps. Some cars can actually throw codes doing this - especially high end luxury cars with the new LED lighting systems.
The proper way to add ANY new electrically operated device to a car, is to run a new line directly from the battery. You properly size and fuse the new feed. To control the operation of the system tied into another system you drive the new system off of a control relay. The control relay is a small electro-mechanical device that draws very little current and essentially functions as a switch. The power for your new item is fed off the battery then not an existing system.
Connections to the existing system (say for example the lighting circuit) should be opened up where you remove about 1/4" of the insulation off the power wire, solder a new connection to this and tape and shrink wrap up the soldered connection.
There is a proper way to do things in a car environment so the work lasts forever. There are of course short cuts, but I'd caution anyone from doing them in a expensive luxury car. That method may have worked 50 years ago, but since 1990 I've been doing this stuff the correct way and can tell you how you should be doing it today.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 8
2004 SL500, 2014 E350
These LED stars do not draw that much current and it would not overload ANY circuit that is fused in the car, especially something like a 10A fuse
Does it need a separate ciruit?
Amplifiers... Yes. Old style light bulbs... Maybe. Led lights... No way.
Does it need a separate ciruit?
Amplifiers... Yes. Old style light bulbs... Maybe. Led lights... No way.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2014 c250 coupe
Ph350's post is a little bit off, it comes with the star and two different wires,it DOES NOT come with a ballast. The second generation lights up all the time when the engine is on ( Which is the one I have just installed on my car) , it DOES NOT light up when you just unlock the door. ONLY when the engine is on. The brightness of the star is pretty good at night buy far dimmer than the DLR lights, basically,you can't see it at all under daylight.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261447933097...84.m1497.l2649
Above is the ebay store I bought mine, the seller is a NJ Mercedes dealer, but the parts I received were directly sent from MBUSA , not from the dealer, so I guess the dealer sent the order directly to MBUSA.
I have instructions for both the 1st gen star which only lights up when you unlock the door and shuts down when you start the engine. ( But the brightness is same as the DLR LED)
AND the second gen when it lights up all the time when engine is on ( BUT the brightness is far less than the DLR LED, you can only see it at night)
If anyone need these, just send me the email and I'll be happy to send you the instructions.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261447933097...84.m1497.l2649
Above is the ebay store I bought mine, the seller is a NJ Mercedes dealer, but the parts I received were directly sent from MBUSA , not from the dealer, so I guess the dealer sent the order directly to MBUSA.
I have instructions for both the 1st gen star which only lights up when you unlock the door and shuts down when you start the engine. ( But the brightness is same as the DLR LED)
AND the second gen when it lights up all the time when engine is on ( BUT the brightness is far less than the DLR LED, you can only see it at night)
If anyone need these, just send me the email and I'll be happy to send you the instructions.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
W212
Star installation
Ph350's post is a little bit off, it comes with the star and two different wires,it DOES NOT come with a ballast. The second generation lights up all the time when the engine is on ( Which is the one I have just installed on my car) , it DOES NOT light up when you just unlock the door. ONLY when the engine is on. The brightness of the star is pretty good at night buy far dimmer than the DLR lights, basically,you can't see it at all under daylight.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261447933097...84.m1497.l2649
Above is the ebay store I bought mine, the seller is a NJ Mercedes dealer, but the parts I received were directly sent from MBUSA , not from the dealer, so I guess the dealer sent the order directly to MBUSA.
I have instructions for both the 1st gen star which only lights up when you unlock the door and shuts down when you start the engine. ( But the brightness is same as the DLR LED)
AND the second gen when it lights up all the time when engine is on ( BUT the brightness is far less than the DLR LED, you can only see it at night)
If anyone need these, just send me the email and I'll be happy to send you the instructions.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261447933097...84.m1497.l2649
Above is the ebay store I bought mine, the seller is a NJ Mercedes dealer, but the parts I received were directly sent from MBUSA , not from the dealer, so I guess the dealer sent the order directly to MBUSA.
I have instructions for both the 1st gen star which only lights up when you unlock the door and shuts down when you start the engine. ( But the brightness is same as the DLR LED)
AND the second gen when it lights up all the time when engine is on ( BUT the brightness is far less than the DLR LED, you can only see it at night)
If anyone need these, just send me the email and I'll be happy to send you the instructions.
Hello!
Could you send me the1st gen star instruction.
Thanks
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville, TN
White 2015 e350 sport
I also have the LED lights and can hear a control module "Clicking" on/off at the same time as the star randomly turns on. anyone figure this out?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 695
From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
For the star I used fuse #23. What is used now is a piggy back fuse. You can buy them in an auto supply store. It is a fuse that is on top of where the original fuse was. You have a 15 year car mine is a 14. I do not know if that makes a difference. Originally I just slid a clip next to the fuse I needed but everyone said that is a no no so I purchased several piggy back fuses and swapped them out. They work much better.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 695
From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 94
Likes: 26
From: Houston, TX
2018 Lexus LC500, 2020 GLE350 4Matic, 2005 Jeep Wrangler
Just received my lighted star, but need help.........
I see the wire tapped into the fuse location, but what do you actually do to the wire to make the tap? Do you wrap each wire around each metal base of the fuse and reinsert it into the fuse panel. I know nothing about this kind of stuff, but want to do it myself if possible.
I see the wire tapped into the fuse location, but what do you actually do to the wire to make the tap? Do you wrap each wire around each metal base of the fuse and reinsert it into the fuse panel. I know nothing about this kind of stuff, but want to do it myself if possible.
