Illuminated Star with Distronic?
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 47
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Illuminated Star with Distronic?
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!
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!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 417
Likes: 48
From: Virginia
'17 BMW X3, '18 GLC300 4Matic
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!
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!
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.......
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A gaggle of MB's
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
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 52
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2011 mercedes e350
2012 S550 with Distronic plus
I am currently customizing an illuminated star grill to work with Distronic Plus. 1st phase is completed by testing the assembly on the vehicle with the Distronic enabled. It worked. No message on dash. Next phase is to test with illuminated star lit, but have to wait till grill comes back from custom fitting the clear illuminated star assembly to the black plate and grill and then mount the chrome Mercedes Star....will keep everyone posted.
Last edited by 69armando; Jan 29, 2018 at 07:19 PM. Reason: Mispelled word
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 45
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2011 GL350 (Sold), 2014 GL350
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?
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?
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 45
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2011 GL350 (Sold), 2014 GL350
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
https://youtu.be/VO_r30Z4fOo
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2018
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Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG S
I am currently customizing an illuminated star grill to work with Distronic Plus. 1st phase is completed by testing the assembly on the vehicle with the Distronic enabled. It worked. No message on dash. Next phase is to test with illuminated star lit, but have to wait for grill comes back from custom fitting the clear illuminated star assembly to the grill and mount the chrome Mercedes Star....will keep everyone posted.
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Junior Member
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2011 mercedes e350
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.
Last edited by 69armando; Jan 29, 2018 at 07:38 PM. Reason: Added photo
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 52
Likes: 6
2011 mercedes e350
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 45
Likes: 4
2011 GL350 (Sold), 2014 GL350
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.
would you mind to share details? Where did you relocated the center electronics piece from the back? What else has to be customized?
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 52
Likes: 6
2011 mercedes e350
Test drove the car for 3 miles on the highway and no error message. Today is day 5, so I’m guessing my custom illuminated star grill worked. Hope this helps all the DIY’rs getting theirs done and working. Any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 45
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2011 GL350 (Sold), 2014 GL350
do you have pictures of the star back and the customization process?
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 53
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2016 CLS550 4matic
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 52
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2011 mercedes e350
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
2016 CLS550 4matic
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
Junior Member
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2011 GL350 (Sold), 2014 GL350
Junior Member
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2016 CLS550 4matic
A330PYLT
Last edited by A330PYLT; Feb 13, 2018 at 05:34 PM.
Super Member
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From: Trumbull, CT USA
Mercedes-Ben GLC300 4Matic
How big is the sensor? Seems like the badge is huge (like other vehicles) when you have distronic / radar cruise
Junior Member
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2016 CLS550 4matic
A330PYLT
