R129 2001 illuminated door sills non-op

[rdcw]

Hi all,
Just aquired silver arrow SL500. Beautiful ,number 55 of 100. Illuminated door sills a factory fitted option but non-functional ( ie not illuminating). Do they come on with headlights or just when opening doors? Any idea if they have a bulb beneath them and if so how do you change ? Puddle exit lights in doors come on as normal and interior lights work.Any advice apreciated.
Dr Richard Williamson

 

[stats007]

Congratulations

According to my notes you have GY51 HPZ with 47k miles?

The illuminated sills are not as simple as you think - I imagine the EL panels and / or ballast have failed. The same thing occured on my Silver Arrow - I fitted alternative panels as MB replacements were £200 odd each alone. I have spares and am based in Surrey if you need them changing - it's a bit of a pain mind you.

Have a look here for more info.

 

[rdcw]

Thankyou - I did think things were not goint to be straightforward. Have ordered replacement illuminated kit fror Euro Parts for E class and will post results.

Did you keep original ballast etc or do you start again with new 12v feed ?
Richard

( car now Y3 CJW but mileage correct - how did you know that ? )

 

[stats007]

I doubt the illuminated kit from ECP will be of much use but let me know how you get on.

I replaced ballast and EL panels - they came together anyway. I also sealed the sills properly as they're a drain point for the doors.

Silver Arrows are few and far between so I always check them out when I see one for sale.

 

[stats007]

Richard did you get anywhere with this?

 

[rdcw]

Andrew,
yes - and no . Illuminated strips from ECP did work fine but were to short and narrow to cover whole of glass script, so shelled out for merc illuminated strip from main dealer. took sills apart, gently removed old illuminated strips which had sort of baked onto glass layer. New strips perfect fit. Interesting how ' silver arrows ' plate is just mounted onto older sill strip with plain embossed 'Mercedes' sill underneath, making a kind of sill sandwich. I guess they were using old parts up. Still possible to order 'new' replacement sills from Germany at cost of £350 or so each side...
Sills now illumate blue ( - was that original colour ?) but part of glass graphic destroyed so overall effect not perfect.
I sealed up sill with silicon sealant as suggested.
Richard

 

[stats007]

Much the same as I did - though I sourced EL panels from the US for $10. Terrible design, as like you say they're just fitted on top.

Blue was the original colour - though funnily enough you can spec them in alternative shades - to match equally strange Designo leather no doubt!

 

[lindselld]

I have just received my illuminating door sills from formymercedes.com
How did you fit them? Do you have any fitting instructions, as they did not come with any?
Thanks

 

[whitenemesis]

I have just received my illuminating door sills from formymercedes.com
How did you fit them? Do you have any fitting instructions, as they did not come with any?
Thanks

The instructions are available from the website.

I have instructions for the W203 PM me your email addy if you would like a copy