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PointedThree :  Vans, Trucks, SUVs and Other Forums : G-Class : Side marker lights

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Side marker lights
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Posted 5/10/2019 11:23 AM
gbenzer
Extreme Veteran




Date registered: Dec 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 2007 G-500, 2017 Audi Q7
Posts: 418
300
Side marker lights

The side marker lights on my 2007 G-500 look like exactly what they are: An after-thought put on to keep Uncle Sam happy. I've never liked them and I've been looking at the newer ones that are LED's and smaller but have the same mounting hole spacing. I know a resistor has to be added to keep the G's computer happy but has anyone done it? What value and in series or parallel? The resistance of a bulb is about 2-4 ohms. Any thoughts or suggestions?
#240670
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Author
Posted 5/12/2019 7:40 AM
Otiswesty
Administrator




Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3002
2000
Re: Side marker lights

Since the marker light circuit also has bulbs in the tail light and headlight, you may not get the error code without a replacing those as well.

Edited by otiswesty 5/12/2019 7:40 AM
#240675 - in reply to #240670
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Posted 5/12/2019 10:23 PM
Inkblotz
Expert




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3184
2000
Re: Side marker lights

The have quite a few varieties on EBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-2002-2019-Mercedes-W463-G-Class-LED-SID...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Amber-Rear-Red-LED-Side-Marker-Lights...



Edited by Inkblotz 5/12/2019 10:24 PM
#240677 - in reply to #240670
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Author
Posted 5/13/2019 11:48 AM
spots350sl
Veteran


Date registered: Mar 2007
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500, 1972 350SL
Posts: 222
100
Re: Side marker lights

I just upgraded all four markers to the new Mercedes-brand LED version last month (along with every other light on the truck - interior and exterior).

I used 50W 6 Ohm resistors in parallel with each marker. Caution - they get very hot and need to be mounted to metal. Not wanting to potentially ruin the paint on the inside of my housings, I decided to make an intermediate aluminum bracket/heat sink for all of the resistors. Photo below. The resistors are pointed downward to mitigate any contact with the wires and [new] plastic light housings. I opted to connect the resistors via plugs to make it easier should a resistor fail in the future, but that's clearly optional.

I'll warn you... once you replace one light, you'll like the LED look and you'll end up replacing every light on the truck to match ... My project started with a single burned out license plate lamp that I replaced with a LED festoon equivalent. I also replaced the rear bumper lights to LED with fog/reverse in each housing (i.e., finally symmetrical after 15 years of ownership).

Edited by spots350sl 5/13/2019 11:56 AM




(G500.jpg)



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#240678 - in reply to #240677
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Posted 5/13/2019 10:24 PM
Floobydust
Veteran




Date registered: Mar 2014
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Vehicle(s): 1995 E320 Cabrio, 2003 G500, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8
Posts: 284
100
RE: Side marker lights

gbenzer - 5/10/2019 11:23 AM

The side marker lights on my 2007 G-500 look like exactly what they are: An after-thought put on to keep Uncle Sam happy. I've never liked them and I've been looking at the newer ones that are LED's and smaller but have the same mounting hole spacing. I know a resistor has to be added to keep the G's computer happy but has anyone done it? What value and in series or parallel? The resistance of a bulb is about 2-4 ohms. Any thoughts or suggestions?


I believe that the stock side marker light bulbs are 4 watt bulbs which equates to a load resistance of about 36 ohms. Allowing for the current draw from the LED side marker lamps, a 5 watt 39 or 47 ohm resistor in parallel with the LED lights should do the trick in fooling the computer. You can get a 10 pack of 39 ohm, 5 watt resistors on Amazon for five bucks.

BTW, I think I have a set of 4 (2 red, 2 amber, new in box) MB LED side marker lights which I would part with for short money. Come to think of it, I may have the load resistors too. I'll post if I can find them.

Edited by Floobydust 5/13/2019 10:36 PM
#240679 - in reply to #240670
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Posted 5/23/2019 1:59 PM
ewalberg
Expert




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Past: San Francisco. Present: Germany
Vehicle(s): 2000 g500
Posts: 1887
1000
Re: Side marker lights

Hello! Any additional info about those Fog/Reverse combo lights? How was that accomplished? That's cool! I have two reverse lights now (no revers fog). I like having two reverse lights, but I'm going to have to install a rear fog light so this is an interesting option!
#240708 - in reply to #240670
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Posted 5/23/2019 9:14 PM
spots350sl
Veteran


Date registered: Mar 2007
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500, 1972 350SL
Posts: 222
100
Re: Side marker lights

I bought these:

USA LED Light Bar Rear Bumper Reverse Fog Lamp for MERCEDES W463 G Class Wagon: https://www.ebay.com/p/USA-LED-Light-Bar-Rear-Bumper-Reverse-Fog-Lam...

They come with everything you need except for the nuts (either M8 or M10, I don't recall). If you are able to, you can reuse your old nuts. I had to buy new ones (Home Depot) as mine were not salvageable.

The LED harness is pre-wired so that all you need to do is hook up the wires to the existing light hardness (I recommend splicing/soldering instead of using their blade connectors). The kit also comes with two load resistors (one for reverse, one for fog). Interestingly, my truck only needed one (reverse lights, as I recall). I've had them installed for about 2 months and couldn't be happier with them.



(s-l1600.jpg)



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#240709 - in reply to #240708
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Posted 5/24/2019 9:57 AM
hipine



Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: US, CO, Bailey
Vehicle(s): 460 1980 280GE w. 617A
5000
Re: Side marker lights

spots350sl - 5/13/2019 9:48 AM

.....I decided to make an intermediate aluminum bracket/heat sink for all of the resistors. Photo below. ...


I hope you didn't drill the back wall of the wiring cavity there to mount that piece of aluminum. That's the worst place on the truck for rust to start and a bad place to break the paint or coatings in any way. Not sure what to do about it now if damage is done, but just for others coming along later I'd say do literally anything other than drill holes in that area.

All the best,

-Dave G.
#240711 - in reply to #240678
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Posted 5/24/2019 1:09 PM
spots350sl
Veteran


Date registered: Mar 2007
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500, 1972 350SL
Posts: 222
100
Re: Side marker lights

Good point. I used Matte Black Rubberized Undercoating on the exterior side once the stainless nuts were tight... Hopefully it holds... guess I'll be checking it periodically.
#240714 - in reply to #240711
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