ctC230K

okay i finally ripped open my door sill and A pillar, i wish someone told me there was a screw i had to take out, i ended up pulling it off and breaking the plastic around the screw although it goes back on just fine.
does anyone know what this blue cable is for?

fefer

What an awesome thread!

I'm in Australia. Anyone know of the appropriate part no. for this market? MB dealers here don't know what I'm talking about when I ask them about this. I'm amazed they don't get asked this all the time. Am I the only one in Sydney that has an ipod and a Benz?

Also, bearing in mind that our steering wheel is on the RHS, on which side is the prewired connector?

CM208

fefer mate, I've asked my dealership in Melbourne. They also have no idea what I am talking about. I even got them to tried the part number (203-540-61-07), no luck too.

I think the best way is to order the part in US and DIY job.

ctC230K

post a photo of your prewired aux harness and we'll be able to tell if it's the same, then someone over here could mail you the US harness.

CM208

Thanks ctc230k!!

fefer

Thanks for responding, CM208.

I got mad enough, and armed with (mostly) the info in this thread, I managed to get the job done, without a MB cable. I made my own. I took off the LHS (Australia) kickpanel and sill off as described elswhere in this thread. I found the connector. As I suspected, there would be a max of 4 pins. A left channel, a right channel, and a ground or two. I got hold of a good quality stereo cable I had lying around. I think you can get them from **** Smith for around $10. The one I used has a 3mm stereo plug on each end.

I then snipped off one end and after stripping the wires, crimped on some 3mm female spade terminals (cost $1.20 for pack 18). To try it out, I connected the intact end into the ipod and started experimenting with different combinations on the other end. Took me about 1 minute to find what works. I only used one of the grounds, and snipped the other off. I used my balance control to ensure I had the channels connected the right way around, .

Once satisfied all was well, I secured the connector with electricians tape and fed the cable into the glovebox. After a final test, I put it all together as described elsewhere. When I get a chance, I'll tidy the job up by replacing the 3mm plug with a chassis mounted socket, so it will look much like the genuine article.

The whole job took around 1 hour, and was fairly easy. The result? I can only describe it as fantastic! For anyone sitting on the fence with this, I recommend you read this thread entirely to avoid the traps that are there, and then just do it. The results are worth the effort.

Now I have to work out the best way to mount the ipod. I was thinking of making or modifying a bracket or using velcro in some way, but I'm open to suggestions. I'd like it fairly high so I can see it easily. I used one of those cup holder types. Wasn't bad, but I had to take my eyes off the road to use it, and I didn't like losing the cupholder, whick I use frequently for my energy drinks on my way to work. :p

Thanks to all that took the time out to share their knowledge. Now I have a couple of FM transmitters for sale. See you on Ebay. lol

fefer

Looking at the photo of the damaged plastic, I might suggest you could try glueing an appropriately sized washer with a strong epoxy resin. You should be able to screw the panel back on. Good luck.

ctC230K

No problem, mate. lol

Oh yeah that's a good idea. I probably will end up leaving it as is, you can't see it's broken from the outside because of that door on the outside covering it and it snaps firmly into place with the tabs so it doesn't move at all. You'd never know it's broken.

Blake P

How about a mount like this?

ctC230K

I had the belkin tunedock, worked great with the 323i since it had two cupholders but now I have a silicone skin on the ipod and it doesn't fit into it anymore and the c230 only has one easily accessible cup holder.

Blake P

Yeah, mine's the Belkin cup cradle too, but I hacked off the cup, sanded the back smooth, and epoxied it onto one of these: http://www.proclipusa.com/?sectionpa...d=&p_year=2004

aberrill

Can someone please help me, I want to get my I pod to work I have read the post about getting part number A 203 540 61 07. However I have a 2003 C230k. The head unit is only a radio and CD player (No tape player) there is also no CDC button. How do I get an AUX input?

I am in Cape Town South Africa the C230k is a direct import from Germany and is right hand drive.

Please help im desperate.

Thanking you

Antony Berrill

hittin160s

UPDATE: For all 2005 C230 owners, if you read your owners manual on page 209 (USA-English) there is instructions on how to turn on the AUX IN. Same deal as stated earlier in this thread, push and hold your CDC button. Just thought that it was interesting that it is ACTUALLY in the owners manual.

ctC230K

yes but doesn't do jack without the aux cable you have to pay $40 and install

EM9TEH

hello all...
I have a 2002 Coupe with Audio 10 CD. I just ordered the cable(part number 203-540-61-07). It will arrive tomorrow, It seems they have only one available!

The thing is, I just followed the instructions in this thread, and couldn't find where this cable must be installed! There is no loose cable under the passenger seat. (yes, I unscrewed everything and got to the wires).
I called the dealer to check for me, they looked in their electronic catalog... they couldn't find anything redarding the item part number (203-540-61-07) nor they know where it should go. All what they know that its in stock and only and they have only one. what to do with it they don't know!

By any chanse, is there anyone who knows what should I do and where should I look to get fix this?

thanks.

MJ50

i believe u'll need COMAND to use aux cable connection...

EM9TEH

I thought COMMAND already has the AUX cable installed...ANd this installation for cars without command

raunen

I thought the point of this whole thread is how to use the AUX connection in the abscence of COMMAND. The cable adds an AUX input in your glove box, and if you have a CDC button on your radio interface, press and hold it to activate.

Axxis22

I just ordered my AUX cable. I dont want to ipod in the glove box, I want somewere close to the shifter. Any ideas?

Not in the center compartment either, I wouldnt want to open and close every time I want to change a song

raunen

just keep the ashtray compartment open; then when you park, you shut off your device and close the compartment and hide the device. anyway that's what i do... doesn't necessarily work for everyone.

MJ50

u mean i could hook up aux cable on glovebox and hold cdc button to access it on my audio10???

blkc230k

i ordered mine today, for $31, when i was placing the order, i kinda checked out the front desk's computer screen, it says COST $18, Invoice $31, retail $37 so i guess i got the invoice price...
anyways gonna wait for 2 days and install it myself,, just wondering if theres any technique on how to remove the door still?
thanks in advance.

delbomber

yeah, a cupholder that with anything in it blocks you from shifting! Grr. :p

EM9TEH

I dont have the COC on my radio (Audio 10). Is that why I couldn't find the wire?

ctC230K

what????? i hate you, how did you get it for like $15 less than me?!!?
lol! true, but i got a silicon rubber case around the ipod so it doesn't even fit now. also in the 323i the cupholders are further toward the rear of the car but the c230 it's right next to the ****er so i still wouldn't be able to use it, unless i took out the second cupholder and put it in that haha.