Connecting US runnning lights to Euro Headlights

[tdun824259]

I have a 1971 280SL US model.  I've replaced the headlights with the Euro version (looks better...in my humble opinion).  Unfortunately, on the Euro wiring harness there is no connector for the US side running lights.  There is the headlight connection and a 5 prong connector as well, but that leaves me with the two prong front running light connection without a female connector.  Has anyone wired this setup to make it work?
Thanks
Tim Dunagan
71 280 SL

[Tom]

Tim,

From memory, the euro light has a 6-prong connector (male), of which 5 of the connectors are used.  The sidelight has 2 male prongs.  The following process can be used so that you don't cut any wires and can return the set-up back to the original if desired.

You will need the following materials:

-Bullet electrical connectors, one male and two female.
-Two 1-foot long lengths of 14 gauge wire.
-One circle eyelet electrical connector.

One male and one female bullet connector is connected to one wire
One female and one circle eyelet connector is connected to the other wire.

For the wire that now has one male and one female end, the male connector is inserted into the 6th hole of the 6 prong euro light harness so that there are now 6 male connectors form the euro light harness.  The female end of the wire is connected to one of the two male connectors of the sidelight (does not matter which).

Now connect the 6 prong female harness to the euro light harness that now has 6 male connectors.

For the 2nd wire that has the 2nd female connector and a circle eyelet connector, the female end of this wire is attached to the other male prong of the 2-prong (male) side light wire.  The other end of this wire is grounded to the bottom of the light bucket with a sheet metal screw through the eyelet.

Note that the old female sidelight harness is no longer used.

There is a way to actually make the connections so that your sidelight is activated with the blinkers.  This would make a nice safety enhancement, but you will need to do some testing to see which of the wires from the euro light harness relates to the blinker.

The following post from the old Yahoo site gives the NAPA part number for the bullet connector (NAPA sells 0.176" diameter female snaps-PN 784463) and adds a bit of additional color.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/W113/message/4185

Best,

Tom


1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Deep Red (Project Car)

[tdun824259]

Tom,
Thanks the explanation sounds great, I'm alittle confused on where the power comes from when the 6th prong that I'm adding is wired back to the sidelight.  What am I missing?
Thanks again.
Tim Dunagan

[Tom]

You will note that the open space in the male euro light connector lines up with the prong on the end nearest the "key" on the female wiring harness that is fed by the green and white wire.  By inserting the male end of the 14 gauge wire into that empty slot, you are tapping into the power from that green and white wire.

Note that there are 6 wires that come in that bundled harness, but two are combined to create 5 terminal connections.



1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Deep Red (Project Car)