allenjdmb

This is the the 4th 210 55 ive owned, and they are still wonderful cars even at this age..
But this is my first that has headlights on like drl, that is ...car on, then lights on. Wondering if i could reprogram or if it needs a Star box.
Anyone know? Thanks...

bbirdwell

Mine has the DRLs but was originally a Canadian car. I am not aware of how to disable in Star but I did once find a write up describing two wires to disconnect in the light control module to disable DRLs. It's out there but it was easily 3 years ago I read it...

RUSTSPOT

ive been doing some research as i need DLR in my newly imported e55 (being canadian) . i remember somebody mention that you need to switch the light switch unit as DLR is hard wired to the switch. perhaps you could jump/cut some wires .

NAFT1

The difference between models with DRLs vs city lights that come on with the first "on" position for the switch is that DRLs are tied into the N7/1 relay module (part of the headlight switch/fuse block) and are supposed to energize low beams any time the alternator is charging and a forward gear is selected. I have heard that some, but not all W210/203/208 cars were wired up with the appropriate signals from the ICM, TCU, and alternator voltage and simply lack a part inside the N7/1 that completes the circuit. If this is the case, purchasing a Canadian headlight switch assembly for any of these, and making sure that the fuse block matches the configuration of the current one will give you properly functioning DRLs. Adding a USA headlight switch will disable your DRLs, and the CAN monitors for continuity and something like 25-30Ohms resistance only when 12V power is present, so should not give a fault indication. Bear in mind that there were at least 5 significant revisions to the wiring of the W210 during its lifetime, but the engineers at Mercedes in the late 90's were sensible ones and usually did as little as possible to change complex systems between markets.

khomer2

Rustspot, if your present setup has NO DRL, you need to change out the light switch with a CDN version. Very easy swap out.
If you do this swap, then you (I presume Factory xenon?) will be ON all the time. I didnt like this setup, so I opted to keep the NO headlight DRLs and added LED lights in the lower grille area beside the fog lights and wired it directly into the fuse box under the hood as shown. Ran the wiring cleanly to follow the existing wiring (tapped in the 15amp fuse) .
The leds light-up when the ignition is turned on.