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

Relay required for factory trailer hitch conversion

Old Dec 12, 2022 | 06:34 PM
  #1  
cabb1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
2010 ML350
Relay required for factory trailer hitch conversion

My vehicle is a 2010 ML350 w/o a trailer hitch. I'm trying to add a factory trailer hitch. I've be having a very tough time finding the part number of the relay circled in the picture below. I've scoured the internet and talked to a dealer, but no luck.


Relay L (pictured below)

Valid for code (550) Trailer hitch:– Trailer circuit 30X relay (F4kL)
Is there anyone who knows the part number or can look at their vehicle and share the part number? I really appreciate the help.


Reply
Old Dec 13, 2022 | 07:34 PM
  #2  
C230 Sport Coup's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,266
Likes: 170
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
If memory serve me correct, an entirely different SAM is needed.
But I could be full of poop.
Just go with an aftermarket setup.
That's what we did. If you get any errors on tail lights after install, clean the contacts on the bulbs
and housings, and all will be well.
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2022 | 07:35 PM
  #3  
cabb1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
2010 ML350
My understanding is the same as yours about the rear SAM. The image is of the rear fuse block. The SAM is located under the right rear seat in the 2010 ML350. Thanks.
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2022 | 06:19 AM
  #4  
Tsumi's Avatar
Super Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 558
Likes: 114
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2006 R500
Take a look at this thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...tched-12v.html

The relay is for trailer 12v accessory power. Not needed if you don't have accessories on your trailer.

Originally Posted by C230 Sport Coup
If memory serve me correct, an entirely different SAM is needed.
But I could be full of poop.
Just go with an aftermarket setup.
That's what we did. If you get any errors on tail lights after install, clean the contacts on the bulbs
and housings, and all will be well.
OP has a 2010, which already has the correct SAM. Only 06, maybe up to 08 need the new version of the rear SAM. Beyond that, it is simply coding the car to recognize the trailer.

One of the most important things you lose out on by going aftermarket is the trailer sway control. There are also other options you may or may not miss out on depending on what your car comes with.
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2022 | 11:47 AM
  #5  
cabb1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
2010 ML350
Originally Posted by Tsumi
Take a look at this thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...tched-12v.html

The relay is for trailer 12v accessory power. Not needed if you don't have accessories on your trailer.



OP has a 2010, which already has the correct SAM. Only 06, maybe up to 08 need the new version of the rear SAM. Beyond that, it is simply coding the car to recognize the trailer.

One of the most important things you lose out on by going aftermarket is the trailer sway control. There are also other options you may or may not miss out on depending on what your car comes with.
Thanks for the reply. I looked at that thread and the relay that the posted mentioned that did not work (A0025421119) is the number that I settled on, although now replace by (002-542-92-19).

Everything I've found indicated that I needed a new rear SAM. I thought it was the same number (
A1649005101) as posted in the thread.

Here is what I currently have.
Rear SAM is a A164 900 67 00
I looked under dash the near the ODB2 connector and could not find a green connector tape to it for electric brake control.

Here is what I think I need in addition to the hitch.

164-900-54-01 Exchange Control Unit (for trailer support) $364.30
00164-440-15-39 Cable Harness. (trailer harness) $64.80
Product ID: 164-440-25-13. Wiring Harness (to provide length to reach rear SAM and Green plug under dash) $54.00
Product ID: 002-542-81-19 U slot relay $15.38
Product ID: 002-542-92-19. L slot relay $13.53

Does this seem right?
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2022 | 12:40 PM
  #6  
Tsumi's Avatar
Super Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 558
Likes: 114
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2006 R500
Looked up your SAM part number and you're right, it does not look like it has the connector for trailers. Yes, you will need a new SAM in order to enable OEM trailer functionality. If you check the link I posted, there's a picture of the SAM. You need the version with connectors in the A slot. Yours is blanked off in the A slot.

Everything else looks correct, though can't be 100% certain on the wiring harness. No pictures of it available on the internet to tell what is actually there.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 07:26 PM
  #7  
shawndh's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
2011 ML350
I gave up on this and just went aftermarket. Very interested to see if someone can get an existing SAM to work or recoded. I have a 2011 RWD. I bought the OEM wiring harness but never used it because all threads led to buying a new SAM.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 07:53 PM
  #8  
Tsumi's Avatar
Super Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 558
Likes: 114
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2006 R500
Originally Posted by shawndh
I gave up on this and just went aftermarket. Very interested to see if someone can get an existing SAM to work or recoded. I have a 2011 RWD. I bought the OEM wiring harness but never used it because all threads led to buying a new SAM.
As I posted above, only if you have a SAM with the pins in connector A. Some versions of the SAM will have that connector blanked out.

The rear SAM in my R500 was replaced by the previous owner for some reason and fortunately it had the populated A connector. All I needed to do was jump into Xentry and enable trailer recognition in the central gateway and rear SAM.

In one of the W251 threads, it mentioned that W251s newer than 2009 had the SAM with the A connector. Couldn't find much other threads to corroborate that though. Clearly W164 did not come standard with the SAM for trailer connectivity since OP's 2010 did not have it.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo

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

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:19 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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