jmarinchak

I've been searching and reading for a couple of hours but, I can seem to find an answer to my question. I have a 2005 C230 and I wanted to replace the radio with an aftermarket unit. I've removed the factory installed radio but, I found 2 fiber optic connectios on the back of the unit.

I *think* they might be used for connecting to the 6 disc CD changer int he glove compartment. I'm not sure that it matters.

Can I simply wire up the non-fiber optic connections to get my new aftermarket radio working? I'll find out tomorrow when I resume my project but, I hoped to get an answer on the fiber optics before then.

Thanks.

samaritrey

do you have upgraded stereo?

jmarinchak

I think my stereo is the standard (not upgraded). I'm not an expert at determining if I have an upgrade, I bought the car used. I believe upgraded stereo's have the HK logo on the speakers or something to that effect.

nrg_mike

Check out the audio/electronics section of the site. There have been quite a few threads on this.
You can install an aftermarket radio/head unit. I had opted for a dual din Eclipse Navigation and Ipod interface in my CL203 and things worked out well.

jmarinchak

Thanks. Sorry for asking a question that risks being obvious to many of you.

I have tried reading through the posts throughout the site. It's amazingly difficult to find an answer to (what seems like) a simple question.

Can someone help me by answering this question?

Are the fiber optics cables in my C230 only used to connect the head unit to the 6 disc CD changer or do they have a bigger role? (I could imagine that they might also be connected to an amplifier or ???)

Thanks again for your help.

glocati

All audio components are looped in a fiber ring. So, your head unit would loop to your CD changer then to an amp if you have Bose, Phone etc. and it all loops back to head unit.

If you want to go aftermarket, it is do-able. Check out this thread under the audio section... https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-diy-faqs.html

Good luck on your project.

jmarinchak

Thanks for the reply. I have read the audio section - AVIC install, replacing the HU on a 2005, etc. In fact, those directions really helped me remove my HU yesterday. I now have my factory radio out of the car and soon to be sold on ebay! I also had a 6 disc changer to remove today.

Now back to the fiber optic question, is there an easy way to determine if the fiber optic loop connects to more devices beyond just the head unit and the 6 disc changer?

jmarinchak

I just removed my 6 disc CD changer. Now I've found (what looks like) 2 sets of fiber optic cables. I'm attaching pictures, in case someone can help identify these cables and their use.

The connections circled in orange look like they connect to the 6 disc CD changer. The connections circled in yellow seem to run into the center console and beyond.

RW C55

The orange ones does indeed connect to 6 CD changer, and I believe one of the connector circled in yellow is for radio antenna. You'll need a adapter for that to install it onto your aftermarket HU.

jmarinchak

Any idea why there are two connectors for the antenna?

These connectors do look similar to the antenna adapter that I purchased on ebay. It looks like I might need to get some sort of gender changer to make things work. The connection on the end of my antenna adapter looks the same as these connections.

To get better reception, is there some value to using one or the other or both antenna connections?

fckjdmsht

Did you ever find an answer to your problem? Im having the same issue.

francisco230k

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_249SWR...e.html?tp=3486

i have the same problem.. I'm tired of the cassette stereo and want to put a dvd one i think this is the adapter, not sure doe....

please help

EmilyMB

Just wondering Any new aftermarket stereo system for gl550 ?