Daytime Running Lights, Again.... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 06-28-2002, 01:14 PM

I have searched the archives, I found no answers, so here it is..

I have a '99 CLK 320 and want DRL.. I Talked with a guy with a Canada spec CLK that lives in the US now. He said he disabled his DRL by replacing the headlight switch and that is all. He told me I could buy his Canada switch and inststall it in my car and That is all It would take to Have DRL....

So, I guess I want to know if this is the case??? Is it that easy as changing the US spec light switch out for a Canada spec one??

Any reply would be appreciated.......

yhliem · #2 06-28-2002, 01:34 PM

The short answer to your question is No.

I believe the wiring is significantly different. I'm not sure of the details though. Check with an MB parts or service guru on this.

As far as having DRLs...not to seem condescending, but why don't you just get into the habit of turning your lights on every time you get in the car and turning them off every time you get out? Much easier and a hell of a lot cheaper than trying to convert a non-DRL car to DRL.

#3 06-28-2002, 01:37 PM

Well, I do turn on my lights every time I get in, but if all it took was changing the switch, I was gonna buy the used one for a few bucks and put it in.. Thanks..

yhliem · #4 06-28-2002, 02:34 PM

I see.

Well, I can't really see the switch as being the entire system since the DRL is switched on via the ignition.

The only thing that that fellow in Canada did by swapping out the switch was pull out one component of the system. Incidentally, what he did, should he be on this board, is illegal and if his vehicle is pulled in for inspection he will get ticketed.

blackmercedes · #5 06-28-2002, 10:23 PM

On late model MB's, the DRL's work a tad different than in the early '90's versions.

In the first "version" all the lights would come on with the ignition on. Just as if you had turned them on with the switch. Instrument lights, the works.

In later versions, the ignition switch activates the running lights, without the headlamps. The cluster lights do not come on. Then, when the car is put in gear, the headlamps come on.

My understanding is that it is easy to disable the DRL system by changing the lamp switch as it contains one part of the DRL system, but might be tougher going the other way. In any event, someone (can't remember who) found out that the parts required were about $2500...

#6 06-29-2002, 01:20 AM

Thank you for the responses.... I continue with the turn on switch each time...

And by the way, the fella with the switch for sale had moved to Florida from Canada so don't need it to be legal.......

#7 09-27-2002, 04:08 AM

For the W208 CLK and W210 E-class, the DRL is actually imbedded into the light switch itself, and not as complicated as on the newer cars.

My friend hated DRL so he bought a US light switch module for his Canadian CLK. When he bought a E-class to replace his CLK, he took the US light switch out and put it into the E. When he sold the E, he took it out and I inherited it.

I put the US light switch into my 2000 Canadian E-class and hence have a spare Canadian DRL module (see attached).

From personal experience, I can tell you that the light switch is all it takes for the W208 and W210 to go from DRL to non-DRL. In fact, if anyone is interested my Canadian DRL light switch, it is yours for US$20. It costs over US$200 my friend claims, buyer to pay for shipping.

#8 09-27-2002, 04:10 AM

Side profile, it has all the slots for the fuse. My stereo technician swapped the light switches in less than half an hour, buy my friend claims he can do it himself.

#9 09-27-2002, 04:12 AM

I'm not sure where the box comes from, he gave me the US switch in the box. Perhaps he ordered the US switch through MB of Canada?

Of course, driving non-DRL car in Canada is illegal but I personally like to be control when I have my lights on and off.

ANB PRODIAGNOTIQUE · #10 05-13-2014, 11:54 PM

for more information on installation anbprodiagnostique@outlook.com you only need three relays 30/40 amp.I just made a CLK 320 2000

Mölyapina · #11 05-14-2014, 11:39 AM

A 14-year-old thread is bumped! Is this a record?

Pyropete · #12 07-27-2018, 04:53 PM

2018 Bump...

It worked. Just swapped into a US market E320 wagon, the known working switch from a Canadian market E430, that should give me DRL, but nada, nuttin, didn't work at first. So I hooked up some LED auxilary lights to come on with the ignition, tested them and viola, damned if the DRL all came on after about 10 seconds! Aarrrggghhh!

I am a little pissed at my impatience. The fitting of the auxilary LEDs is non-intrusive so they are coming off again. Hi Ho.

PN from E430 Canadian market car is 210 545 13 04
PN from E320 American Market car is 210 545 16 04

We will now pass inspection with full illumination.

97 SL320 · #13 07-27-2018, 05:38 PM

A relay triggered by ignition on power then feed power to the headlights .

In any event, look at a wiring diagram for the year of car you are working on, you might need to insert a fuse or relay.

The problem with DRL using headlights is they wash out turn signals. It is bad enough that many turn signal lights behind clear covers are barely visible from anything off angle.