M-Class (W164) Produced 2006-2011: ML280CDI, ML320CDI, ML420CDI, ML350, ML500, ML550

Can someone tell me what each wire is for in a 2007 ML350 tail light assembly?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Apr 13, 2010 | 01:09 AM
  #1  
Frisbeeman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
ML350
Can someone tell me what each wire is for in a 2007 ML350 tail light assembly?

I have an aftermarket trailer hitch and wanted to do the wiring and plug for trailer lights. In searching posts I found several folks writing that the only choice is to get the Mercedes hitch and electrical module. It turns out there is an aftermarket alternative made for the 06 - 08 ML350's. Curt 56200 is a powered trailer light converter that works for 06 - 08 ML 350's. It doesn't use the vehicle tail light circuits to power the trailer lights. For instance the brake light. When the vehicle brake light lights there is a wire from the Curt converter to the vehicle brake light, but its only a 1 milliamp draw to tell the converter the vehicle brake light is illuminated. The converter then draws power directly off the vehicle battery to illuminate the trailer brake light.

My problem is, I am having trouble telling which wire is which in the tail light assembly. Can someone tell me so I know which converter wire to hook to each vehicle wire? I know it’s a PWM system. The sockets are numbered in the plug you can disconnect from the tail light. Can someone tell me which wire is which?

Thank you.
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2010 | 11:08 PM
  #2  
GregW / Oregon's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Originally Posted by Frisbeeman
I have an aftermarket trailer hitch and wanted to do the wiring and plug for trailer lights. In searching posts I found several folks writing that the only choice is to get the Mercedes hitch and electrical module. It turns out there is an aftermarket alternative made for the 06 - 08 ML350's. Curt 56200 is a powered trailer light converter that works for 06 - 08 ML 350's. It doesn't use the vehicle tail light circuits to power the trailer lights. For instance the brake light. When the vehicle brake light lights there is a wire from the Curt converter to the vehicle brake light, but its only a 1 milliamp draw to tell the converter the vehicle brake light is illuminated. The converter then draws power directly off the vehicle battery to illuminate the trailer brake light.

My problem is, I am having trouble telling which wire is which in the tail light assembly. Can someone tell me so I know which converter wire to hook to each vehicle wire? I know it’s a PWM system. The sockets are numbered in the plug you can disconnect from the tail light. Can someone tell me which wire is which?

Thank you.
No, but a multimeter and friend operating the various lights would make quick work of identification.
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2010 | 07:48 PM
  #3  
p1800tg's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2006 ML 500
Just had my mechanic install the 56200. Picked up all the wires and power from the rear power box, but you need a test light and meter. Also you may want to install inline fuse. I pull the fuse out when I am not using the hitch, one less thing on the system You can call Curt for help tey are very helpful.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2011 | 12:33 PM
  #4  
hhj6666's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2008 ML350
I know this topic has been killed but I am up against a huge deadline.

Has anyone installed the Curt 56200 in a ML350? The Brake/tail wire out of the converter is one wire but the tail lights have a separate brake and tail light. Does anyone know which wire the brake/tail wire from the converter must attach to? I am desparate for help on this one....many thanks!

-Hans
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2012 | 03:32 PM
  #5  
Mike Butler's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon
No, but a multimeter and friend operating the various lights would make quick work of identification.
Or you could have done that and posted the results.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2012 | 05:32 PM
  #6  
Mike Butler's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by hhj6666
I know this topic has been killed but I am up against a huge deadline.

Has anyone installed the Curt 56200 in a ML350? The Brake/tail wire out of the converter is one wire but the tail lights have a separate brake and tail light. Does anyone know which wire the brake/tail wire from the converter must attach to? I am desparate for help on this one....many thanks!

-Hans
I'm not familiar with the 56200, but here are the color codes on the car, for each plug, from the top on down.

LEFT
Orange=Ground
Black=Turn
Pink=Stop
Gray w/Black Tracer=Tail

RIGHT
Orange=Ground
Green=Turn
Purple=Stop
Gray=Tail

That’s all I know.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2012 | 08:29 PM
  #7  
thunderbirl's Avatar
Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 8
From: near Rochester, NY
2019 GLE400
This is a link to an earlier thread which may be helpful. (look at #6 in the thread)

I was not able to use the 56200 module in my 2008 W164 ML350. The thread above explains that a different module was needed, why it was needed and exactly how it all worked out.

By the way, it's still working great!
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:43 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE