W221 headlight retrofit with OEM SAM - 2024
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W221 S500
W221 headlight retrofit with OEM SAM - 2024
Hi!
Back to 2010
in the time of 221...
With reference to this thread I am looking if someone who has bought MBSCA (https://www.ckmcardes********/s-clas...sen-adapterkit) or SonicMS wiring harness with magic black box on that time. Since there are plenty of plug-n-play solutions these days I was wondering if someone has these items in used condition for sale or who can share installation manual and schematic diagram to make it myself. Or if you know any other solution kindly asking to share it with me please. I would pay for a working solution in PM. Below you can find what is going on and what doesn't work.
Long story short:
I have 2008 W221 with 2012 headlights + 2012 SAMF + Magic CAN module to support adaptive light functions. In this combination all light functions were woking properly including DLR, cornering lights, left/right lens rotation, adaptive anti-fog light and all other functions of the original headlights. But non original 2012 SAMF cause a lot of problems to the rest of the car and most important is incorrect batteries management since 2008 and 2012 has completely different batteries in different locations (35Ah vs 95Ah AGM under the hood, 95Ah AGM vs none in the trunk, and none vs ~10Ah in the dashboard).
I was informed by the manufacturer of the CAN module that it was originally designed to work with OEM SAMF so I decided to change it back to original SAMF. Found the correct one in EPC. After all adaptive light functions are woking properly. Low/high beam, night vision, turn signals are ok.
But these doesn't work:
1. DLR: I have changed pinout in SAM from fog light to DLR. They works but not correctly. They work on 100% power and only with headlights. Normal behaviour should be: Work on 100% power without any other lights on daytime and ~60% power with headlights at night. Changing brightness in SCN coding in SAMF does not affect it.
2. Parking / staying lights - doesn't work at all.
You help will be much appreciated.
Back to 2010
in the time of 221...With reference to this thread I am looking if someone who has bought MBSCA (https://www.ckmcardes********/s-clas...sen-adapterkit) or SonicMS wiring harness with magic black box on that time. Since there are plenty of plug-n-play solutions these days I was wondering if someone has these items in used condition for sale or who can share installation manual and schematic diagram to make it myself. Or if you know any other solution kindly asking to share it with me please. I would pay for a working solution in PM. Below you can find what is going on and what doesn't work.
Long story short:
I have 2008 W221 with 2012 headlights + 2012 SAMF + Magic CAN module to support adaptive light functions. In this combination all light functions were woking properly including DLR, cornering lights, left/right lens rotation, adaptive anti-fog light and all other functions of the original headlights. But non original 2012 SAMF cause a lot of problems to the rest of the car and most important is incorrect batteries management since 2008 and 2012 has completely different batteries in different locations (35Ah vs 95Ah AGM under the hood, 95Ah AGM vs none in the trunk, and none vs ~10Ah in the dashboard).
I was informed by the manufacturer of the CAN module that it was originally designed to work with OEM SAMF so I decided to change it back to original SAMF. Found the correct one in EPC. After all adaptive light functions are woking properly. Low/high beam, night vision, turn signals are ok.
But these doesn't work:
1. DLR: I have changed pinout in SAM from fog light to DLR. They works but not correctly. They work on 100% power and only with headlights. Normal behaviour should be: Work on 100% power without any other lights on daytime and ~60% power with headlights at night. Changing brightness in SCN coding in SAMF does not affect it.
2. Parking / staying lights - doesn't work at all.
You help will be much appreciated.
Last edited by Plato; Nov 10, 2024 at 05:52 PM.
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W221 S500
I actually don't know what CGW I have and if it was changed but the previous owner on the time when he changed SAM.
But according to the thread mentioned above changing SAM and CGW was only 1 out of 3 options.
But according to the thread mentioned above changing SAM and CGW was only 1 out of 3 options.
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W213 All-terrain
I made hundreds of headlights retrofit on w221.
Only need facelift SAM ( the one with plastic cover) and the wiring accordingly with the facelift schematics, no any adapters needed.
All functions works, ILS, DRL, even the Battery management can be coded.
There are several wires that need to be added and most of them need to be re-routed on SAM side.to have the facelift configuration.
Only need facelift SAM ( the one with plastic cover) and the wiring accordingly with the facelift schematics, no any adapters needed.
All functions works, ILS, DRL, even the Battery management can be coded.
There are several wires that need to be added and most of them need to be re-routed on SAM side.to have the facelift configuration.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 116
Likes: 14
W221 S500
I made hundreds of headlights retrofit on w221.
Only need facelift SAM ( the one with plastic cover) and the wiring accordingly with the facelift schematics, no any adapters needed.
All functions works, ILS, DRL, even the Battery management can be coded.
There are several wires that need to be added and most of them need to be re-routed on SAM side.to have the facelift configuration.
Only need facelift SAM ( the one with plastic cover) and the wiring accordingly with the facelift schematics, no any adapters needed.
All functions works, ILS, DRL, even the Battery management can be coded.
There are several wires that need to be added and most of them need to be re-routed on SAM side.to have the facelift configuration.
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 116
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W221 S500
By basic functions I mean headlight (low/high beam), turn signals, night vision, parking/staying lights, DLR.
I have everything listed above currently working on original 2009 SAM except DLR and parking/staying lights.
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W213 All-terrain
DRL, Fog, Cornering, curve light, etc are functions inside the ILS.
Maybe the IHC ( Intelligent High beam Control) could be a problem, I don't remember as when I did those retrofit the IHC was not so popular on w221.
For doing all that, only need to install facelift SAM and do the wiring. No adaptor is needed.
With original non-facelift SAM none of those functions will work. I have no experience using the CAN adaptor.
Maybe the IHC ( Intelligent High beam Control) could be a problem, I don't remember as when I did those retrofit the IHC was not so popular on w221.
For doing all that, only need to install facelift SAM and do the wiring. No adaptor is needed.
With original non-facelift SAM none of those functions will work. I have no experience using the CAN adaptor.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 116
Likes: 14
W221 S500
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 116
Likes: 14
W221 S500
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 490
From: Spain UTC/GMT +2 hours
W213 All-terrain
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 116
Likes: 14
W221 S500
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 116
Likes: 14
W221 S500
DRL, Fog, Cornering, curve light, etc are functions inside the ILS.
Maybe the IHC ( Intelligent High beam Control) could be a problem, I don't remember as when I did those retrofit the IHC was not so popular on w221.
For doing all that, only need to install facelift SAM and do the wiring. No adaptor is needed.
With original non-facelift SAM none of those functions will work. I have no experience using the CAN adaptor.
Maybe the IHC ( Intelligent High beam Control) could be a problem, I don't remember as when I did those retrofit the IHC was not so popular on w221.
For doing all that, only need to install facelift SAM and do the wiring. No adaptor is needed.
With original non-facelift SAM none of those functions will work. I have no experience using the CAN adaptor.
PS: IHC cannot be activated since it require a facelift camera and windshield.
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W213 All-terrain
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 116
Likes: 14
W221 S500
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W213 All-terrain
Before installing a CAN module I had a facelift SAM but ILS functions didn't work. A facelift SAM only enable basic functions I believe. Later I have installed CAN module and everything started to work properly all functions. But as I mentioned before I decided to revert to old SAM. Now everything works beside two things above.
PS: IHC cannot be activated since it require a facelift camera and windshield.
PS: IHC cannot be activated since it require a facelift camera and windshield.
If you want, I can help you to enable everything if you are willing to read my messages and to re-route wires
Last edited by trigital; Nov 10, 2024 at 06:04 PM.
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W221 S500
I of course will do everything you say, thanks for trying to help me. But first please check below pinout. It's for the left side. The right one done the same way.
PS: I was looking for diagram of this solution: kmcardesign[dot]com/s-class/w221-06/klarglas-faclift-framlsen-adapterkit
The prise was extremely high but W221 is old now so was looking if someone could share it... According to the picture there is some box and resistors (probably used for parking lamps). Was curious what's inside black box and how it all was connected.
Last edited by Plato; Nov 10, 2024 at 06:13 PM.
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W213 All-terrain
For me, to add 2 wires and to re-route some on the SAM side accordingly to the Mercedes W221 facelift schematics is the correct way of doing a retrofit. Coding is also something simple and safe than using resistors.
Sorry, I am a trained technician at MB and my experience is limited to WIS schematics,
Sorry, I am a trained technician at MB and my experience is limited to WIS schematics,
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 116
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W221 S500
For me, to add 2 wires and to re-route some on the SAM side accordingly to the Mercedes W221 facelift schematics is the correct way of doing a retrofit. Coding is also something simple and safe than using resistors.
Sorry, I am a trained technician at MB and my experience is limited to WIS schematics,
Sorry, I am a trained technician at MB and my experience is limited to WIS schematics,
Could you please send me instructions inc coding so I can check if it's done. If it's not done yet on the car I will do it.
Last edited by Plato; Nov 10, 2024 at 06:26 PM.
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From: Spain UTC/GMT +2 hours
W213 All-terrain
Of course, I can post here schematics for facelift headlights, but this schematics will work with the facelift SAM ...without adaptor if adaptor is not only for IHC. Do you have any link for your adaptor?
