212 trailer wiring
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
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From: Philadelphia
2016 e350
212 trailer wiring
Does anyone know of or have any tail wiring diagrams? Not towing past 200lb tongue and trailer is around 250lb with a 300lb load so within the limits of the class I but does anyone know how to wire up a 4flat connector for trailer lighting?
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'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
The wiring depends on MY, so a VIN would help. I haven't finished the wiring on our '11 E350 wiring after installing a Stealth Hitch, but the marker/brake lights are PWM and the turn signals are dedicated 12V circuits. You'll need a trailer wiring converter and one that does 2-wire, 3-wire, PWM would be preferred.
Ultimately, you should probe the taillight connector and verify color and function of the wires.
Ultimately, you should probe the taillight connector and verify color and function of the wires.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia
2016 e350
The wiring depends on MY, so a VIN would help. I haven't finished the wiring on our '11 E350 wiring after installing a Stealth Hitch, but the marker/brake lights are PWM and the turn signals are dedicated 12V circuits. You'll need a trailer wiring converter and one that does 2-wire, 3-wire, PWM would be preferred.
Ultimately, you should probe the taillight connector and verify color and function of the wires.
Ultimately, you should probe the taillight connector and verify color and function of the wires.
Vin is WDDHF8JB6GB255594
All I've been able to find is the pwm for 250-300, was trying to see if I could away with T taps into the wiring just get the trailer transported for roughly 2weeks until I have the spare cash for it. The t taps aren't going to stay, just a temporary thing is possible. Germans always have to make things difficult, im used to just soldering into the existing wiring for most vehicles I've had. Sorry for the noob question
Last edited by dream_breakerr; Jul 19, 2021 at 12:07 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,225
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
No US sedans come with trailer wiring.
I used several MB sedans for towing and making trailer harness is very easy when you buy powered light converter.
This way it will not light errors.
I always managed to find powered wire in the trunk. Newer models have power plug, who serves the purpose.
Did not do it on W212, but the only problem on W211 was that it marker lights operated on 6V, while switching to 12V with fog lights, so I had to remember switching fogs when towing at night.
I used several MB sedans for towing and making trailer harness is very easy when you buy powered light converter.
This way it will not light errors.
I always managed to find powered wire in the trunk. Newer models have power plug, who serves the purpose.
Did not do it on W212, but the only problem on W211 was that it marker lights operated on 6V, while switching to 12V with fog lights, so I had to remember switching fogs when towing at night.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia
2016 e350
No US sedans come with trailer wiring.
I used several MB sedans for towing and making trailer harness is very easy when you buy powered light converter.
This way it will not light errors.
I always managed to find powered wire in the trunk. Newer models have power plug, who serves the purpose.
Did not do it on W212, but the only problem on W211 was that it marker lights operated on 6V, while switching to 12V with fog lights, so I had to remember switching fogs when towing at night.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I used several MB sedans for towing and making trailer harness is very easy when you buy powered light converter.
This way it will not light errors.
I always managed to find powered wire in the trunk. Newer models have power plug, who serves the purpose.
Did not do it on W212, but the only problem on W211 was that it marker lights operated on 6V, while switching to 12V with fog lights, so I had to remember switching fogs when towing at night.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Or just get the pwm kit?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,225
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
What's pwm kit?
Again, I had those converters working on several of my MB and the only issue was lower voltage in W211.
Don't know if W212 might have the same issue, but doesn't take much to pull the left taillight cover and test the wires.
Again, I had those converters working on several of my MB and the only issue was lower voltage in W211.
Don't know if W212 might have the same issue, but doesn't take much to pull the left taillight cover and test the wires.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 12
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From: Philadelphia
2016 e350
yea I just ordered a powered converter, should be here tomorrow, ill just run out and test the wires and get it hooked up when the sun goes down and gets cool out
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
A powered trailer light convertor properly converts the vehicle's marker/brake/turn signals to the trailer's combined brake/turn and marker lights (in the case of 4-pin) as not every car uses the same signaling arrangement. Second, it prevents faulty trailer lights from blowing vehicle fuse/s and thus disabling them [vehicle lights]. Third, MBs for the last 3 decades have systems monitoring for faulty lights and hooking up directly (without the converter) can interfere with that.
This Curt converter does 2-wire, 3-wire and PWM:
This Curt converter does 2-wire, 3-wire and PWM:
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia
2016 e350
forgive my ignorance, im not used to anything German to be honest. I need to tap into the wiring from the Sam unit and not the 4wire connector that plugs to tail light? I appreciate the help and patience with my stupid ***.
Hitch is installed and convertor is powered with a 15 amp fuse and grounded, ready to go but not getting any lighting to transfer to the trailer using the wiring from the 4 pin connector at the tail light.
Hitch is installed and convertor is powered with a 15 amp fuse and grounded, ready to go but not getting any lighting to transfer to the trailer using the wiring from the 4 pin connector at the tail light.
