Hello all,

Checking to see if anyone has successfully installed an illuminated star on their front grille. I'm intrigued by them and would consider one. I have a 2020 E450 Coupe and it appears to be an option if ordered with it.

​​There are several options, both OEM and aftermarket, and they all have a wiring harness as expected. My question is whether I should expect to find the intended power source in the engine compartment, or if I would need to find power for it. If there's power already for it, when does the emblem turn on? Is it automatic with the rest of outside lighting?

Thanks for any advice you might offer.

 

Better check to see if you have to remove the front end to get to it?? If you do it is a big job

 

Thanks E55phil! Although it doesn't look like I have to remove the entire front end (as I did with my E550 to replace the alternator), there's no blank wiring harness anywhere
nearby, so I suspect I would need to run one.

I don't need a glowing star emblem that badly.

Thanks for your input!

 

I connected mine to the right DRL light. Its not a difficult job. These LEDs will consume very little current compared to the bulbs.
See post number 12 here:
https://www.slkworld.com/threads/ill.../#post-4835091

that was for the SLK but it should be similar to all MBs. By that I mean the switching behaviour and current sourcing capabilities of all MB DRLs should be similar.

 

If you can rotate the existing star counter-clockwise (1/2") and it pops loose, the you can obviously install an illuminated star without removing the grille. However, if you have distronic within the star assembly, then you shouldn't install an aftermarket star at all.

Posts in several threads on this topic in the W212 forum do NOT recommend splicing into any OEM wiring for any reason, due to the chances (likelihood) of throwing codes. My aftermarket illuminated star is grounded to the chassis (anywhere), and the positive power wire is connected at the front fuse box using a proper piggyback fuse splice available at any auto parts store. The grille light is powered only when the engine is running, which I prefer.

Installation is easy, using the wiring supplied with the star, and has been going strong for more than 4 years, now.

 

Thank you for this great information. I haven't done it yet, but I'll post an update if/when I install the emblem.

Thanks!