arch85

So I know illuminated star is not an option with Distronic, because the sensors are placed behind the star etc etc.

I found this listing:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-MERCEDES...kAAOSwqk1Zd5Zx

I was wondering if you guys think it'll work while still providing the distronic features? Any thoughts? I really love the look of the illuminated star at night time .. just looks so cool!

Thanks!

Vaboy

If this aftermarket version actually "works", why wouldn't MB make that available too? Why would they discourage customers from adding a $500 option to their car? Seems counterintuitive.

Something doesn't smell right here! Maybe a MB service mgr can shed some light on why an aftermarket version couldn't work.

But, it's only $120 bucks so maybe it's worth that much to you to try it? I'd be more concerned if you'll actually get the Star after you order it. Remember, if something seems too good to be true.......

fabbrisd1

The way I see it - that is a illuminate star for someone who wants to add the "look" of Distronic and have illumination - and from the photos it's not a very good hologram like the gen Distronic Star either

69armando

AkTech

Wow, I am so glad I found this thread I have actually purchased this illuminated star for my 2014 GL with distronic plus.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Illuminated-Car-Led-Grille-BlLED-Logo-Emblem-Light-For-Mercedes-Benz/122316514939?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid =p2057872.m2749.l2649

and after installing it got 3 fault messages - attention assist, distronic and blind spot assist. All were disabled. So i had to remove it. But after looking into construction of the star I think that what blocks the distronic signal is the led lights assembly piece in the center of the star. What I have in mind is to remove this led assembly but keep the plastic grooved ring that spreads the lights around and test it again. If distronic signal can go thru the next step would be to enclose led light module in a separate small plastic box that could be attached somewhere on a side behind the grill and transfer the light from the source to a grooved plastic ring with a set of fiber optic cables, possibly using 2 or 4 for even light distribution. Each cable would attach to the grooved ring from behind thru a small drilled hole. Can be fixed in place with a silicone.

This is just to describe the concept, probably you can recommend better execution. What do you guys think? I would love to have a illuminated star on my GL but don't think have enough DYI skills to pull it. Perhaps this is something we can discuss to pull together?

AkTech

Here the video that display the construction of the star taken apart. The flat, distronic style that I have bought at the link above have the similar structure when comes to the led light source and distribution ring.

https://youtu.be/VO_r30Z4fOo

Jojoe716

69armando

Glad to say that yes it is working on my 2012 S550 with Distronic Plus. I wanted to give it a few more days since I haven't driven it to long on the highway. I did activate the DistronicPlus feature on local back roads and it gave no error message as of yet. Usually it gives the 3 error messages within minutes of driving with the other Illuminated stars, but nothing yet with this one. Like AkTech said, its all about what blocks the signal.

69armando

Glad to say that yes it is working on my 2012 S550 with Distronic Plus. I wanted to give it a few more days since I haven't driven it to long on the highway. I did activate the DistronicPlus feature on local back roads and it gave no error message as of yet. Usually it gives the 3 error messages within minutes of driving with the other Illuminated stars, but nothing yet with this one. Like AkTech said, its all about what blocks the signal.

AkTech

Nice! Looks great! would you mind to share details? Where did you relocated the center electronics piece from the back? What else has to be customized?

69armando

AkTech

do you have pictures of the star back and the customization process?

A330PYLT

I am wondering this as well please advise as I have the illuminated star and my collision system is inop. so if there is a way please let me know

A330PYLT

A330PYLT

Also does anyone one know if these being inop triggers the check engine light.

A330PYLT

69armando

I try to upload photos of the process, but keep having trouble. I ordered a Mercedes Grill for Distronic Plus with the big star in front. I then ordered an illuminated star. Disassembled the star and only used the illumination piece. I used a drimel to cut an exact fitment piece on the back of the hard circular black plate on the grill ordered and placed the illuminated piece in it. Placed the hard circular piece back in place from behind now because the illuminated piece pushes out the chrome star about 1/2 inch in the front leaving an ugly gap, so by placing the black circular plate from the inside eliminates that. Carefully and cleanly, I used 3M tape around the chrome star and used a heat gun to warm it up enough for good contact and that’s all I did. No error message on the dash and no check engine light. Going on week two on my 2012 S550.

A330PYLT

Ok im also wondering if the same could be accomplished without messing with that aftermarket star. If maybe the sensor could be placed on the side somehow. I guess I could try and see

A330PYLT

69armando

Careful messing with the sensor, reason I'm saying that is because you can get false detections/readings if it's misplaced. It may also need to be recalibrated if moved.

AkTech

Not in my case. I just had 3 related systems disabled with corresponding messages.

AkTech

I would definitely do not touch/relocate the sensor.

Point of this modification should be to remove extra pieces from illuminated star enough for the radar beam to go thru.

A330PYLT

Ok sounds good. I have the illuminated star so as soon you can post photos I would love to see it. In my case the sensor, star and all was not with the bumper so I just went with illuminated. I am going to purchase the sensor tomorrow because it is tied into the braking system and I am getting a U0121 code which is a communication error with the brakes. I have ABS issues and since this system is designed to talk to the computer in the event of a pending accident and apply brakes there is no talking so I think its triggering the check engine light.

A330PYLT

ajmtbm

How big is the sensor? Seems like the badge is huge (like other vehicles) when you have distronic / radar cruise

A330PYLT

Whats the part number for this sensor??? I have been trying to find out
A330 PYLT

AkTech

A330PYLT

I found it and my car came the illuminated star so the sensor for my car is on the right front bumper part #000 905 2804 Now I need to see how its mounted and then get it calibrated
A330PYLT

Silverjash