This guide describes active ambient lighting for the 2022–2024 Mercedes-Benz C-Class W206 with factory ambient lighting. The kit adds functions to the existing lighting system. Confirm the vehicle's equipment, actual kit revision and module labels before installation.
1. Kit components
2. Wiring layout
The diagram shows door light strips, front footwell connections and the interior modules. F and M identify female and male terminals in this example. It does not specify all connector cavity numbers or electrical parameters. Use the matching kit connection definitions for the actual vehicle.
3. Installation illustrations
3.1 Center-console and dashboard trim
The first illustration shows removal of the armrest chrome trim and glossy console trim, disconnection of their plugs, removal of the two lower display screws using T20, sliding the display downward to release its locating tabs, unplugging the display and releasing its harness retaining clip. It then shows removal of the console-frame T20 screws and lifting out the frame.
T20 identifies the tool size; it does not mean “vibration-sensitive”. Confirm the vehicle's electrical isolation and trim refitting procedure before work.
The next illustration shows removal of the rightmost air vent, dashboard side trim and console side trim; unplugging the console lighting; removal of the instrument-cluster T20 screws and cluster; unplugging the cluster; and release of the dashboard trim and its connectors. Support removed parts and release their connectors before lifting them away.
3.2 Dashboard light strip
The example shows removing the factory light guides from their clips, reconnecting and securing the original LED heads, and fitting the added active light strip along the factory light-guide/trim position. Retain the original LED-head connections shown in the example. “Along the original wiring/strip” describes routing; it is not an instruction to lengthen factory wires or a connector.
3.3 Interior wiring
The illustrations show the added modules connected through adapters at the factory front footwell lights, interior wire routes, and door pass-through connections. Match the actual module and output labels.
The example also shows trimming connector housings at the footwell-light connections. It provides no dimensioned cutting guide or compatibility check for that modification. Obtain the correct adapter and kit-specific instructions before modifying a connector; do not remove a locating or locking feature based only on its color.
The small wire label in the second illustration identifies a light adapter lead. It does not identify a turn-signal connection.
3.4 Front door panels
The source sequence shows two T30 door-panel screws, releasing the panel clips with a plastic trim tool, lifting the upper edge free, releasing the outer locating clip, releasing the inner-handle cable retainer and unplugging the door-panel/module connector.
3.5 Rear door panels
The rear-door example shows two T30 screws, panel clips and the upper edge, followed by the inner-handle cable retainer and door-module connector.
3.6 Door light strips
The front and rear strips are fitted along the illustrated upper door-trim gap. The front-door example shows T20 screws removed to provide access. Match the strip position and retain its wiring without trapping it in the panel clips.
3.7 Front door pass-through wiring
The example shows releasing and separating the body/door connectors, routing added wires through the existing boots and fitting male/female terminals in corresponding unused cavities. Route the added wires along the existing harness; this is not an instruction to extend the factory harness.
The photos do not provide a complete numbered cavity map. Confirm both mating cavity positions, terminal type and module connection before inserting wires. Wire colors alone are insufficient to select a vehicle connector terminal.
3.8 Rear door pass-through wiring
The rear-door example shows connector/boot release, wire routing and matched male/female terminal installation. Confirm the actual connector and cavity map before acting on the example. Refitting and sealing details for the actual vehicle must also be confirmed.
4. Functions
- Multicolor: the strips display the selected color combination.
- Single color: the strips display the selected color.
- Climate effect: temperature adjustment produces a chasing-light effect.
- Dynamic multicolor: the multicolor effect flows along the strips.
- Climate-menu SYNC: the setting determines the left/right temperature-adjustment effect in the illustrated configuration.
- Welcome effect: after locking and sleep, unlocking produces a white chasing-light effect.
Available effects depend on the vehicle options and matching kit setup.
5. Troubleshooting
- If the factory single-color setting cannot be adjusted, check whether the displayed color value changes. The installation information suggests voice-controlled color selection or ambient-light addressing. Have the installer confirm the appropriate vehicle-specific addressing procedure; no addressing parameters are supplied here.
- If the right-side active lighting does not illuminate, check whether the factory right-front footwell light was reconnected and operates, and whether both original LED heads of the full-width dashboard light were restored and reconnected.
- If the chasing effect behaves abnormally, check the module output connections and the settings specified for the actual module.
6. Module settings
A verified DIP-switch setting table is not supplied in this guide. Obtain the settings for the actual W206 active-lighting module before changing switches. Do not use a table from a basic ambient-light kit or another product.
CKCP tutorial reference: CKCP source archive