W205 Taillight Conversion

How to Convert Old Half-LED Taillight to

Facelift Full-LED Taillight

What You Need

Full LED Taillights, left & right (Facelift, 2019+) (MB Part#: A205 906 5003, A 205 906 4903)
10 Pin Taillight Connector (2 EA) (15 EA pins of 1.8mm x 1.8mm x 13.7mm outside, 0.63mm x 0.63mm inside)
Dupont connector female pins (2 EA) (1.8mm x 1.8mm x 16mm outside, 1.2mm x 0.6mm inside)
Crimping Molex Tool
20 or 22 AWG Stranded TXL Wire (10ft x 4 EA)
Friction Tape (Harness Tape)
Tools: 8mm deep socket, T40 star bit, flat head precision screw driver set, utility knife.
Software: Windows 10 x64 Notebook, J2534 PassThru or SD C4, Xentry 2021.x~, DTS Monaco 8.x~

What You Need Details

Full-LED Taillights (Facelift, 2019~): Genuine OEM lights are available at online Mercedes dealerships for
about $440 including tax and shipping. EU version (amber turn signal) will cost more in the US.

10 Pin Taillight Female Connectors: It’s a TE(Tyco) AMP connector. It’s a kind of Dupont connector.

4-2177198-1 for Exterior Housing (or 3-2177198-1; you can remove the tab, or 3-929171-1 with no tab). (2 EA)

(3-2177198-1. You need to remove the tab)

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1-968562-2 for Inside Frame of the taillight connector. (2 EA) (or MB Part#: A 002 545 49 40)

(Inside frame of the taillight connector)

5-963715-6 (inside 0.63mm x 0.63mm, outside 1.8mm x 1.8mm x 13.7mm, silver contact) for Taillight pins. (15EA)

(Pin for the Taillight and the Rear SAM HL & HR)

These parts are available at electronic components distributers in the US, or on a few online markets.

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Rear SAM’s Connector Pins: Rear SAM’s HL & HR pins are the same with the taillight pins, but Rear SAM’s
HD pins are different; 1.8mm x 1.8mm x 16mm outside, 1.2mm x 0.6mm inside, #20~#24 AWG (US vehicle only).
ROW vehicles need only HL & HR pins (4EA total).

5-963715-6 for HL, HR pins. (Same pins with the taillight connector) (2 EA for US, 4 EA for Non-US)
7-1452665-1 (inside 1.2mm x 0.6mm, outside 1.8mm x 1.8mm x 16mm, tin contact) for HD pins. (2 EA for US Only)

(Pin for the Rear SAM HD Connector)

Crimping Molex Tool: You need a crimping tool for AWG 20, 22, 24, or 0.35mm2 and 0.5mm2.

20~22 AWG Stranded TXL Wire: TXL wire (XLPE Cross-link jacket, thin wall, temperature range -40°C ~
125°C) is a minimum requirement.

MB OEM spec is ACW wire, 22 AWG, 3A 36W, outside diameter 1.3mm, conductor size 0.35mm2, temperature
range -40°C ~ 150°C (Example: ACW0219-0.35). On the MB WIS wiring diagram, it’s 20 AWG (2014~2018) & 22 AWG
(2019~) but MB installed 22 AWG wires in the real vehicles (2014~2021).

Wire Type Spec (60°C) Spec (75°C) Temp (°C) Outside Dia. Wire Size Insulation Note

20 AWG GXL 5A 11A -40 ~ 125 2.1mm 0.5mm2 0.29mm

20 AWG TXL 5A 11A -40 ~ 125 1.8mm 0.5mm2 0.20mm I chose

20 AWG ACW 5A 11A -40 ~ 150 1.5mm 0.5mm2 0.22mm Manual (~2018)

22 AWG TXL 3A 7A -40 ~ 125 1.6mm 0.35mm2 0.20mm You may try

22 AWG ACW 3A 7A -40 ~ 150 1.3mm 0.35mm2 0.20mm MB installed

2019+ Taillight power consumption was measured as follows; Therefore, 22 AWG wire will be enough.

Lights Pin # Current (A) Note

Brake 1 4 0.36 Upper brake light

Brake 3 6 0.09 Bottom outside brake light

Brake HGB 5 0.10 Bottom inside HGB light

Tail Light 2 0.41 Running light

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Backup 7 0.25 Reverse light

Fog Light 8 - Fog light at driver side

Wire Color: Choose any colors you like. It’s not possible to match the colors with the WIS wiring diagram. Why? 4
new wire colors are Green/Blue (2EA), Black/Green(1EA), Grey/Yellow(1EA) but Green/Blue is already assigned to
the rear fog light. Three other existing wire colors also don’t match with the WIS wiring diagram for the Full-LED
taillight.

Where to Buy the Wire: It’s not easy to buy short length of ACW wires. TXL/GXL is available from a few
retailers. Verify if it’s made in USA. For example (just an example, not a recommendation),

https://www.ebay.com/itm/293617948256 (20AWG TXL, 10 fixed color x 10ft)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/292612752113 (22AWG TXL, 8 fixed color x 25ft)

The distance from the rear SAM to the taillight is about 9ft.

Don’t buy Chinese junk such as tinned copper wires with no copper, CCA wires, silicone or PVC jacket wires. PVC
jacket wires start to melt at 80°C. Silicone wires can be stripped with a fingernail. CCA wires are garbage. Tinned
copper wires are good but Chinese tinned wires don’t contain copper.

Friction Tape (aka Harness Tape): High temperature (-40°C~150°C, -40°F~302°F), flame retardant grace C
is recommended. Tesa’s 51036 meets the spec. For example, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I2MLN2Q

Installation
1. Crimp the 4 new wires with two types of female pins.
2. Disconnect the Power, HD, HR, HL connectors from the rear SAM.
3. Disassemble the rear SAM connectors (HR, HL. HD(US vehicles only)).
4. Insert the 4 new wires into the rear SAM connectors (Ref: pin assignment table)
5. (US only – optional amber turn signal. You can skip) Move 2 pins, HL-18 à HL-3, and HR-10 à HR-12
6. Assemble the rear SAM connectors.
7. Plug the connectors to the rear SAM module.
8. Route the 4 new wires to the taillight.
9. Cut the old taillight plug off. (Take a picture to remember the wire colors).
10. Crimp the wires with female pins (1.8mm x 1.8mm x 13.7mm outside, 0.63mm x 0.63mm inside).
11. Assemble the pins + black frame + purple type D housing (or blue type C housing with tab removed).
12. Install the new LED taillights.
13. Do offline variant coding with DTS Monaco (or online SCN coding if you have a genuine Xentry tool & account).
14. Connect the 10-pin taillight plugs to the taillights.

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Variant Coding
Online SCN Coding: If you have an online SCN account, add 38O (O is not zero but “O”scar) into online VeDoc
system and do online SCN coding to EZS, Instrument Cluster, and Rear SAM. However, only dealerships or a few of
independent shops can do it as it requires a genuine diagnostics tool and an online subscription account ($$$$$). Or
you can hire someone just to add 38O to the online VeDoc ($$) and do offline variant coding.

Offline Variant Coding: If you don’t have an online SCN account, you can do it with DTS Monaco or Vediamo.
The offline variant coding, however, can be erased when the rear SAM is re-flashed at dealerships as MB’s server in
German don’t know the change history. Don’t worry about it too much as it hardly ever happen.

1. Add 38O (O as “O”scar) in the EZS (EZS222, 05 Variantenkodeung Schreiben) with DTS Monaco. I, however,
couldn’t find a location for it in the EZS as it’s not a standard variant but a specific code only for a retrofit. That’s
fine. Let’s skip this step.

2. WIS manual states Instrument Cluster also needs to be coded, but there was no variant related to the rear
taillights. That’s fine. Let’s skip this step.

3. Change the rear SAM’s variants. Don’t panic. Follow the step-by-step instruction, then you can do it with easy.
Remember, backup the current variant data before going forward.

Offline Variant Coding

Steps:

0. Run DTS Monaco, create a project, add BC_R222.smr-d, create a workspace (do it offline in advance).
1. Connector the notebook PC to the vehicle using either a PassThru device or a SD C4.
2. Turn the vehicle on (Don’t run the engine) (Off à Acc à On à Engine Run). (Turn off A/C to save battery)
3. Run DTS Monaco and open the workspace you have created.
4. Click on “Configuration” / “Execution Mode” and choose “Variant Coding” on the tab.
5. Select “BC_R222” for the rear SAM (BC_R222 is the name of the W205’s rear SAM control unit).
6. Press “Connect” if not connected automatically.
7. Click on “Save…” to backup the current data. (For example, save to “BC_R222_before.sgde”).
8. Find the parameters (see below), change it, click on “Do Coding”.
9. After having done all, reset BC_R222 (“BC_R222” / “Ecu Reset” / “hard reset” on the “Diagnostic Services” tab)
10. Check if the taillights work as you want.
11. Turn the vehicle off. Done.

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Activate Bottom Brake Lights (Brake 3 and Brake HGB)

[095] OLC Bremslicht HW Schreiben (OLC Brake Light HW Settings)

Freigabe_BSL3_BL_li off à on (Enable left-bottom-outside brake light hardware)

Freigabe_BSL3_BL_re off à on (Enable right-bottom-outside brake light hardware)

[096] OLC Bremslicht Schreiben (OLC Brake Light Settings)

PLSM_HW_BL3_links off à on (Activate left-bottom-outside brake light circuit)

PLSM_HW_BL3_rechts off à on (Activate right-bottom-outside brake light circuit)
PLSM_Ueff_BL3 0.0 à 13.0 (Bottom outside brake light voltage)
PLSM_Ueff_BL3_Nacht_Adapt 0.0 à 13.0 (Bottom outside brake light adaptive voltage at night)
PLSM_Ueff_BL3_Nacht 0.0 à 13.0 (Bottom outside brake light voltage at night)

PLSM_Ueff_HGB_innen_BL 0.0 à 13.0 (Bottom inside brake light voltage)

PLSM_Ueff_HGB_in_BL_Nacht_Ad 0.0 à 13.0 (Bottom inside brake light adaptive voltage at night)
PLSM_Ueff_HGB_innen_BL_Nacht 0.0 à 13.0 (Bottom inside brake light voltage at night)
PLSM_Ueff_HGB_innen_SL_HD_o 0.000 à 13.000 (BL voltage when trunk open while taillight on)

Adjust Rear Fog Light (NSL)

[092] OLC Nebelschlusslicht HW Schreiben (OLC Rear Fog Light HW Settings)

Ueff_NSL_li 11100 à 13100 (Fog light voltage)

[096] OLC Bremslicht Schreiben (OLC Brake Light Settings)

PLSM_Deakt_BLbeiNSL BRKLGT1 à BRKLGT3 (Turn off brake light X when rear fog light is on)
(Why? Fog light <-> brake light needs 10cm distance)

Change Reverse/Backup Light (RFL) to LED

[087] OLC Ruckfahrilicht HW Schreiben (OLC Reverse Light HW Settings)

LED_bulb_RFL li Bulb à LED (left reverse light to LED)

Chiplogik OL RFL li High à Low (selection of chip logic OL threshold)
LED_bulb_RFL re Bulb à LED (right reverse light to LED)
Chiplogik OL RFL re High à Low (selection of chip logic OL threshold)
SC_Schwelle_RFL li 6670 à 2320 (Left SC threshold)
OL_Schwelle_RFL li 37 à 13 (Left OL threshold)
SC_Schwelle_RFL re 6910 à 2320 (Right SC threshold)
OL_Schwelle_RFL re 37 à 13 (Right OL threshold)

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Parking Light (HGB) / Side Marker (SM)

[085] OLC Standlicht HW Write (OLC Parking Light HW Settings)

Freigabe_SM hi links enable à disable (no side marker since US 2019~ taillight, All EU/ROW)
Freigabe_SM hi rechts enable à disable (no side marker since US 2019~ taillight, All EU/ROW)

Freigabe_HGB innen links disable à enable (use bottom inside brake light - left)
Freigabe_HGB innen rechts disable à enable (use bottom inside brake light - right)

[086] OLC Standlicht Write (OLC Parking Light Settings)

PLSM_HW_SM_hi_re on à off (no side marker since US 2019~ taillight, All EU/ROW)
PLSM_HW_SM_hi_li on à off (no side marker since US 2019~ taillight, All EU/ROW)
PLSM_HW_SM_hi_beiLDS_STL on à off (control background when parking light required)

PLSM_HW_HGB_innen_re off à on (use bottom inside brake light – right)

PLSM_HW_HGB_innen_li off à on (use bottom inside brake light – left)
PLSM_HW_HGB_I_beiLDS_STL off à off (control background when parking light required)

PLSM_Ueff_HGB_innen_SL 0.0 à 13.1 (bottom inside brake light - regulated voltage)

PLSM_Ueff_HGB_innen_SL_Adapt 0.0 à 13.1 (bottom inside brake light - adaptive voltage)

[026] OLC Fehlercode freigabe Write (OLC Error Code Release Settings)

(You may disable error check routines that you don’t want to use)

Change Turn Signal (FRA) to LED

[097] OLC Blinker HW Schreiben (OLC Turn Signal HW Settings)

LED_bulb_FRA hinten links Bulb à LED (left turn signal bulb/LED)

Chiplogik OL Schwellen Blinker hinten links High à Low (selection of chip logic for left turn signal bulb/LED)
LED_bulb_FRA hinten rechts Bulb à LED (right turn signal bulb/LED)
Chiplogik OL Schwellen Blinker hinten rechts High à Low (selection of chip logic for right turn signal bulb/LED)

SC_Schwelle_FRA hinten links 8290 à 2320 (left SC threshold)

OL_Schwelle_FRA hinten links 37 à 13 (left OL threshold)
SC_Schwelle_FRA hinten rechts 8290 à 2320 (right SC threshold)
OL_Schwelle_FRA hinten rechts 37 à 13 (right OL threshold)

[098] OLC Blinker Schreiben (OLC Turn Signal Settings) (Only for US version tail light - to blink red brake lights)

PLSM_AusgangFRAhinten BRKLGT1 à BRKLGT1 (Blink brake 1 à Blink brake 1 & 3)

PLSM_FRA_DiagPin on à off (Check turn signal circuit. Red signal: off, Amber: on)

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(Optional) Change Red Turn Signal à Amber

You need to install EU/ROW version taillights for amber turn signal. US taillights have no amber LED (it’s empty).

[097] OLC Blinker HW Schreiben (OLC Turn Signal HW Settings)

Freigabe_FRA hinten links disable à enable (Red turn signal: disable, Amber signal: enable)
Freigabe_FRA hinten rechts disable à enable (Red turn signal: disable, Amber signal: enable)

[098] OLC Blinker Schreiben (OLC Turn Signal Settings)

PLSM_HW_FRA_HL off à on (Enable left amber turn light circuit)

PLSM_HW_FRA_HR off à on (Enable right amber turn light circuit)
PLSM_FRA_DiagPin off à on (Check turn signal circuit)

PLSM_AusgangFRAhinten BRKLGT1 à TURNLGT (Blink Red Brake Light à Blink Amber Turn Signal)
PLSM_Ueff_FRA_Nacht_hinten 13.1 à 12.1 (Night voltage. Or 13.1)
PLSM_Ueff_FRA_Nacht_Adapt_hi 13.1 à 11.0 (Adaptive night voltage. Or 13.1)

(Optional - US) Turn Signal Brake 1 à Brake 1 & 3

If you want to blink Brake light 3 (bottom outside brake light) in addition to the Brake light 1 (upper brake light),
(Note: This doesn’t work as intended)

[098] OLC Blinker Schreiben (OLC Turn Signal Settings)

PLSM_AusgangFRAhinten BRKLGT1 à BRKLGT13 (Allocation of HW outputs for rear turn signals)

[099] OLC Allgemein Schreiben (OLC General Settings)

PLSM_Frsatz_FRAaufBSL BRKLGT1 à BRKLGT13 (Release of the light for turn signals on brake light)

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Installation Photo
Prepare 4 wires.

Insert them into HD, HL, HR of the rear SAM. (Photo below: HD connector)

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Route the wires from the rear SAM to the taillight.

Cut the existing taillight connector off. Strip the end about 3.7~4.6mm.

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Crimp the pins with a Molex crimping tool.

Assemble the connector (left side of the vehicle)

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Assemble the connector (right side of the vehicle)

Taillight Installed (do the variant coding before connecting the plug)

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