Everlaster

On my 2003 W211 E55 the factory illuminated door sills were on there way out, on the driver side only the benz part lights up ( Barely) and the passenger side stopped lighting up altogether. There aren't many good quality aftermarket options out there. Recently I saw another W211 E55 from New York (Flint_55's) car and he had actually managed to retro fit OEM W212 AMG sills and get them to work. I got a set of 212 for cheap of ebay, the connectors are slightly different and the positive and negative side on the 212 is switched from the 211 which is no issue because its easy to re-pin the connectors to switch it. The only issue is when plugging it in, it barely flickers for a second and tuns off. I also just tried it in our G55 to see what it would do and it lights up but very dim. Any ideas on how to go about this or what could be causing this?

black06c230

Could be bad sills still. Try direct connect to battery and see if light issues improve or not. That will tell you if they are functioning right and it’s a car CAN issue making them flicker or low light.

Everlaster

They would be ok connecting them directly to the battery? I dont want to fry them.

black06c230

yes they are 12v so a direct connect will be fine

Everlaster

So they do light up and work, you think it could be something with the cars canbus?

Everlaster

In this they are connected to battery
( for some reason photo isn’t working)

TimC300

I would use a multimeter and trace the wires back. I have seen issues with the wiring at sills due to water. Not specifically illuminated sills, I mean with the wiring harness that runs along the sills in general going to other things. Could be a bad connector up the line somewhere.

Fountain35

Are the door sills which say "AMG" suppose to light up?

Everlaster

Yes they are supposed to, and they do light up when connected directly connected to a 12v source.

Fountain35

Hmm...wonder if there is a fuse for them. Mine do not light up.

nd-photo.nl

I never knew this lol. I'm making an assumption that it also applies to CLS55.

Any pictures? Also, where do the wires go?

Everlaster

Part of mine light up, is just that the age. Only the Benz part lights up on one and the other side is just very dim. The wires come up from under the seat and under the plastic cover next to the sill, there is a little passage that leads to the sills. Im not sure if they are fused or not. Ill add some photos later

Everlaster

As you can see they are very dimly light, but the connectors are hidden under the carpets and plastic sill

nd-photo.nl

Thanks for the pics!

ArmoE55

This is new for me - I did not realize the door sills light up. Of the three V8Komp cars I've owned, come to think of it, none of them lit up those sills.

Was this an option or on all standard base V8Komp cars?

Fountain35

No lighting on my AMG sills. Pulled it off and no wires just a sill that snaps on.

nd-photo.nl

I also checked mine, I also have the solid AMG doorsills like @Fountain35 . No illumination there

Everlaster

Yep it was a option on our cars. There was three options, 1 the non light up sill that says mercedes-benz or AMG. 2. the light up Mercedes Benz. and 3. the light up AMG.

eightysixtuned

what is the cost to retrofit?

Everlaster

The easiest way would to be just find a ground and take power from a 12v source like the puddle lights, im not sure the OEM way.