New uses for the W124 cellphone armrest - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jeremy5848 · #16 10-02-2012, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

I've always thought you could use the Canadian DRL control module to do automatic headlights, since it turns everything on.

-J

I think you're right -- do you know if the Canadian switch mod turns all the lights on? All I want are the front fogs and I don't want to have to track down and buy an expensive factory part.

Zulfiqar · #17 10-02-2012, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

8 wires! You gotta think of something! Parallel printer port!

J.

Im thinking along the lines of an MP3 player hidden in there.

btw The phone system has a large parallel port stuffed in the trunk

my current idea is to add footwell lights to the front, two door mud puddle lamps, some wiring and done. I feel the W124 should have them.

Zulfiqar · #18 10-02-2012, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

I think you're right -- do you know if the Canadian switch mod turns all the lights on? All I want are the front fogs and I don't want to have to track down and buy an expensive factory part.

The DRL control module is a relay system I believe, I looked it up on ps2cho's site, It can be made by hand too.

compu_85 · #19 10-02-2012, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

The DRL control module is a relay system I believe, I looked it up on ps2cho's site, It can be made by hand too.

Yes, it's a relay box the size of the cruise amp, with a ton of wires that hook into the headlight switch. When hooked up at the factory it turns on all the headlights, running lights, and dash lights as soon as the alternator light goes out.

If you just wanted to turn on the fogs it would be much easier

-J

Zulfiqar · #20 10-02-2012, 04:23 PM

It would be nonsense to turn the dashlights on, ideally the DRL should only be the head or fog lamps via a resistor. Does the system have a sunswitch too?

btw - thanks compu-85 for rattling my head straight. I was wondering on a circuit that could be used as a trigger after engine start, after reading your reply I remembered that the old geo metro (suzuki) use that to control the fuel pump. Overworked I think.

compu_85 · #21 10-02-2012, 04:25 PM

No sunswitch, but that box gives you the isolated outputs you need to do whatever you want

Jeremy5848 · #22 10-02-2012, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

my current idea is to add footwell lights to the front, two door mud puddle lamps, some wiring and done. I feel the W124 should have them.

I agree with the footwell lamps and have been surprised M-B didn't have them. Don't you already have puddle lamps or am I misunderstanding?

Jeremy

dcotejr · #23 10-02-2012, 07:13 PM

When I bought my 300SD 15 years ago, there was a cell phone mount on the passenger side of the console. Presumably this means there would be wiring, but I am NOT electrically inclined to understand what's what.

Any idea if 126's had a similar wiring setup ? If so, I will get one of my electronically adept friends to work on this...

This is an excellent idea!

Jeremy5848 · #24 10-02-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcotejr

When I bought my 300SD 15 years ago, there was a cell phone mount on the passenger side of the console. Presumably this means there would be wiring, but I am NOT electrically inclined to understand what's what.

Any idea if 126's had a similar wiring setup ? If so, I will get one of my electronically adept friends to work on this...

This is an excellent idea!

Your 300SD is a 1981 model-year? Any cellphone for that era would IMO be aftermarket and I have no idea what the wiring would be like. Your 1991 350SDL probably has a factory setup that should be very similar to what my E-class got in 1995. If the phone is on the side of the console then I suppose it's not in the armrest?

The thing to consider is where you can put a switch, where you want to hide the GDO remote, and whether there are wires between those two points. You could always have your friends install wiring; I was just lazy enough to want to use the existing wiring. In my 1987 300D I put a switch in the console wood (PO had already ruined it by drilling a hole) and ran wires to the glove box where the remote lived. Since the later 124s lost their glove box to the passenger airbag I had to do something different. Remember to put the switch where it can't be accidentally pressed. I like the covered switches that they use for launching nuclear missiles but they don't look good in a Mercedes.

Jeremy

Jeremy

compu_85 · #25 10-02-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

...Your 1991 350SDL probably has a factory setup that should be very similar to what my E-class got in 1995.

Nope. The USA spec W126 never got the cell phone arm rest, or rear fog lights

-J

sixto · #26 10-02-2012, 08:23 PM

My '91 300SE either had working rear fog or needed only a bulb.

[edit] I might be wrong. Maybe I'm thinking of the S420.

If you replaced the stereo, you can put a switch like Jeremy's in place of the speaker fader by the console window switches. You can also get the panel the 500- and 560SEL have by the ashtray that has the pair of front seat heater switches and the highway tone horn. Use one of the switch positions for a GDO.

Sixto
87 300D

dcotejr · #27 10-02-2012, 11:29 PM

Looks like it may be best to start from "scratch"...

Have to think thru whether it makes sense to adapt this to my vehicles.
It's a very useful, creative idea in any event...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Your 300SD is a 1981 model-year? Any cellphone for that era would IMO be aftermarket and I have no idea what the wiring would be like. Your 1991 350SDL probably has a factory setup that should be very similar to what my E-class got in 1995. If the phone is on the side of the console then I suppose it's not in the armrest?

The thing to consider is where you can put a switch, where you want to hide the GDO remote, and whether there are wires between those two points. You could always have your friends install wiring; I was just lazy enough to want to use the existing wiring. In my 1987 300D I put a switch in the console wood (PO had already ruined it by drilling a hole) and ran wires to the glove box where the remote lived. Since the later 124s lost their glove box to the passenger airbag I had to do something different. Remember to put the switch where it can't be accidentally pressed. I like the covered switches that they use for launching nuclear missiles but they don't look good in a Mercedes.

Jeremy

Jeremy

Zulfiqar · #28 10-03-2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

I agree with the footwell lamps and have been surprised M-B didn't have them. Don't you already have puddle lamps or am I misunderstanding?

Jeremy

Im sorry for the grammatical mistake - I meant that I will use 2 mud puddle lamps for the front footwells. I already have the mud puddle lamps under the door cards.

Those flat puddle lamp fixtures are about 4 dollars a piece.