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You also need to replace the existing column harness with part 2114404509 (the old harness looks similar, but it will not fit).
When wiring up the harness, some of the existing wires need to be swapped as the wiring changed slightly.
On the new plug:
Pins 1 and 2 are steering wheel heating (they can be ignored if car is not equipt with it)
Pins 3-6 need to be color matched they are the airbag connectors.
Pins 8-13 stay exactly the same don't switch anything.
My notes from my install were:
Original harness pin -> airbag
4 -> yellow 2
3 -> yellow 1
1 -> green 1
2 -> green 2
New harness pin -> airbag
5 -> yellow 2
6 -> yellow 1
4 -> green 1
3 -> green 2
So pins 3-6 need to be matched up with the old wiring so they connect to the airbag correctly. Use a multi-meter and check continuity from the updated column connector pins, to find which pin is the correct airbag wire.
But do not take my notes as fact, and you should verify which wires to swap yourself(!!)
And finally after all of that, use DAS and disable the old paddle shifters under Drive -> Gear Selector Module -> Adjustments
The new shift paddles will work after this.
Credit goes to Mertd93, as he was the one to figure all this out.
Thank you, I will try this and let you know how it goes
THANKS so much for posting this.... been looking to confirm this information forever. This gives me real hope in doing this retrofit. Was it hard to swap out the steering column? Any other tips for the install? Also can you confirm the horn and all buttons work?
Originally Posted by JoeNobody
For 2003-2004 cars, to update the steering column to accept newer steering wheels:
You will need the steering column electronics, from any 2005-2009 W211.
You also need to replace the existing column harness with part 2114404509 (the old harness looks similar, but it will not fit).
When wiring up the harness, some of the existing wires need to be swapped as the wiring changed slightly.
On the new plug:
Pins 1 and 2 are steering wheel heating (they can be ignored if car is not equipt with it)
Pins 3-6 need to be color matched they are the airbag connectors.
Pins 8-13 stay exactly the same don't switch anything.
My notes from my install were:
Original harness pin -> airbag
4 -> yellow 2
3 -> yellow 1
1 -> green 1
2 -> green 2
New harness pin -> airbag
5 -> yellow 2
6 -> yellow 1
4 -> green 1
3 -> green 2
So pins 3-6 need to be matched up with the old wiring so they connect to the airbag correctly. Use a multi-meter and check continuity from the updated column connector pins, to find which pin is the correct airbag wire.
But do not take my notes as fact, and you should verify which wires to swap yourself(!!)
And finally after all of that, use DAS and disable the old paddle shifters under Drive -> Gear Selector Module -> Adjustments
The new shift paddles will work after this.
Credit goes to Mertd93, as he was the one to figure all this out.
The SL63 steering wheel is money. I know what I will be switching to next if I can get the horn to work. I will not drive my car without one. Just for safety concerns.
Anybody else have any more steering wheels that are a sure fit? Also maybe a complete list of which wheels for sure fit our w211 from someone with more knowledge on this subject.
I used a C55/SLK55 wheel in my 2003 E55. I had to buy a 05-09 clock spring on eBay ($45) and the factory harness ($20). I worked everything up using the instructions on the previous page and everything works perfectly except for the shifters. They only work sometimes, but won't hold the gear.
Any new word on this guys? Im trying to retrofit a newer model wheel onto my 04 e55, Something similar to this? Anyone who has experience, it would be appreciated, thanks.
It cannot be done, as the steering rack column is not the same size, and the electronics are totally different. Sorry.
Joe look what i found while searching German forums!! Come on guys lets breath new air into this and come up with more info and answers. Im about tempted to just buy one and play it by ear...
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.
