80_six

I know this has been covered in various forms, but I haven't quite found a solution to my problem.

I purchased a 2011 C350 last month, and have been puzzling over my Aux system since I got it.

It has the integrated 3.5mm Aux/30-pin iPod connector in the top left side of the glove box, but I haven't gotten my system to recognize anything plugged into it. I first got a male-male connector and tried my phone and an iPod Shuffle: no dice. I got a Coolstream CarPro and connected it to the 30-pin: also nothing. The COMAND showed no indications that anything was connected. Max volume on everything.

So I sent the CarPro back, and took it to a dealer real quick. They tried a couple different connectors in the glove box to no avail. I also popped off the side panel hoping to find the hidden Aux port, but there's nothing there.

HALP. I need to be able to play Bluetooth somehow! What's going on here?

Edit 6/1/17: To update, I tried to replace the media interface, to no avail. Something may be wrong at the fiber optic level or the head unit/software level. Read on for more info.

Adi-Benz

So which cable is in the glove box? The aux or the ipod connector? You can't have both unless you "mod" it like I did.

If you take out the side pannel, the aux port is a gray/green cable, it should be a bit dug in. It just "ends" and is where the aux port is. Should be above the ipod connector cable.

Something could not be connected properly as well.

80_six

Yes, the split connector is actually an option -- it looks something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J5M6AXO..._HpvcybRP0NDC6

The dealer tried another cable and one with a lightning connector with one of their phones and nothing registered.

All of the posts I have seen from people who have uncovered the hidden Aux port (for cars without the iPod integration cable or whatever it is) have shown it vestigially tucked behind the triangular panel on the passenger side of the glove box. I have a little cutout there with a dummy plug, but there are no wires leading to that space at all.

Any ideas about what could possibly be "not connected properly" and how to check?

80_six

Anyone?!

80_six

Going to bump again for advice... If there's a better place for the post, feel free to point me in that direction too.

80_six

I should note that I bought the Coolstream CarPro which was a bluetooth receiver that connected to the 30-pin/iPod portion of my cable -- and the CarPro's blue LED lit up, indicating that it was getting power, but still no sound.

Also, I'm not familiar with the different audio/nav/COMAND option iterations. But I have the pop-up COMAND screen, 6-disc CD changer, and the above-mentioned hybrid iPod/Aux cable in the glovebox.

Adi-Benz

If I have time I'll take a pic of my side panel, but the weather is bad here this week so it might be a while.

80_six

Tried a new aftermarket cable today too. Also doesn't work.

When I hit have AUX selected from the audio drop down and/or hit the DISC button, the AUX option on the lower left of the screen is grayed out...I can't select it.

80_six

::Crickets::

Adi-Benz

Sorry man super busy, surprised no one else is here.

xEryx

Go into the engineering menu under HW Parameters I believe and make sure Aux Audio is turned ON.

80_six

I'm a little wary of the Engineering Mode, as I've seen so many different menus posted here depending on the model and COMAND version.

But I'll look into it today and maybe post pics of what I see.

(Side note: I changed the cabin air filter the other day, and realized I was able to sort of get at some more of the wiring behind and around the glove box if I really wanted to, but not sure if that would help.)

80_six

Thought I'd toss this out there. I would really like to be able to bluetooth my podcasts and stuff.

NewtwoMB

Just a thought - have you got the OEM cable kit that goes with the iPod integration kit? It has an iPod cable, USB and Aux cable. I have that on my car and all has worked fine for years (early 2009).

80_six

The cable that's in there is OEM. The system doesn't recognize it at all.

Do you have a part number or photo that I you can show me?

Reviving this post in the hopes that someone else has a suggestion.

B737

dude try this cable. the one you tried did not work for me, but when i used this cable (looks similar but different), it worked. car now has seamless bluetooth audio and telephone all through the existing system. no fussing. give this a shot, if it doesnt work just send it back. i went through a lot of options before finding this.


Bovee WMA3000A+ Wireless Bluetooth Music Interface Adaptor for in car iPod Integration (AMI/MDI connector)
the 3000 and 3000+ are the same devices btw.

80_six

Yeah I think I tried that one too. My system didn't recognize anything was plugged in.

lotus49

I am in the same position as you, looking for a solution to streaming bluetooth audio. I am waiting for a couple of things I ordered to turn up in the post so I'll feedback on how well they worked if I remember.

The fact that nothing seems to be recognised strongly suggests either a fault or a configuration issue. The iPod/Aux cable ought to work without any further finagling so, if it doesn't, I think you have a faulty COMAND system. Plugging lots more devices in doesn't seem very likely to result in a working system.

B737

i got no device for the tune2air you stick on the end of the MB cable, the one you tried originally. when i tried the 3000A, it took a second but once the connection was established it works seamlessly with the truck, steering wheel controls, phone call management and all.

as a last resort the Mercedes Bluetooth media adapter would prob work for you, they are no longer available but they come up on ebay every now again for between $75 and $200.

part number A2129004712

this is a frustrating problem to deal with, i feel your pain.

Acapulco Bill

Seems like a simple question, but have you selected the "Aux" input option on the COMAND screen? It will be visible on the screen once the CD button is selected. Selecting Aux is then done via the center console control knob. It's the same even if the iPod Integration Kit is installed. Here's an image from the US Owner's Manual

psbenz12

My car actually came with the factory 30-pin and female aux in the glove box and they both work.

Well they both workED, the 30-pin connector stopped recognizing anything attached to it somewhere around the time I fooled around with the engineering mode, the the wire is a little frayed too so could be that.

80_six

Finally got fed up and dropped it off at the dealer again today, and they've had it all day. Apparently the whole "multimedia control unit" is shot -- they got no signal from the thing when they attached any sort of diagnostic into it. How that happens...

They said it's a $900 part that needs to come from Germany and will be another $600 to install. I had to muffle a laugh into the phone.

Thanks for the part, B737, but from looking at pictures of that part, it looks like it still needs to plug into the car's glovebox port...which is precisely the problem. So. Fml, right?

Can anyone confirm if I'm looking for A2049000300 or similar? Or what the most up-to-date part is? I'm gonna try just looking online. If it's this one, they're on eBay for like 60 bucks...

B737

ugh that really sucks. the bluetooth multi media interface plugs into the plug in your glove box / center console so that wont help. i guess this explains why the tunes2air you tried didnt work. it also sucks you had to prob pay the diagnostic fees only to be given a $1500 estimate. maybe you can source that part, swap out the module and hopefully it wont need coding.

davidjohnbamber

Does your car have the Media Interface option? I had both a GLK, and a W211 E class. They both IIRC had a receptacle to plug the M-B iPod cable into, and no dice without the Media Interface option.

80_six

Thankfully they didn't charge me anything -- and they did a quick inspection and washed the car...!

I did find a used unit online and it looks like it's easy to get to...so I figured I would try swapping. Would something like this need programming of any sort? Not sure how MB does stuff generally. We'll find out next week, I guess.