DIY installation of AVIC & other aftermarket HU's for W203 (Warning! lots of images!)
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07 MB C230
Dan, If you look at my post above, you'll see I already have the F90BT waiting to install in my 07 C230. I bought the Pioneer CA-R-PI.133 based on feedback here, that it makes it plug and play for VSS, Reverse signal, etc. It is supposed to have the correct Fakra connector to plug right in to the OEM harness. So, if it is not plug and play, I would appreciate a DIY, as I am getting ready to install mine. I have/will have the following:
Let me know what the real story on the steering wheel adapter is.
- Pioneer F90BT
- Pioneer CA-R-PI.133 Steering wheel control interface
- Scosche MZ2347B Dash install kit
- Scosche VW03B wiring harness
- Scosche VWA-4B Euro antenna adapter
- Night vision rear camera.
Let me know what the real story on the steering wheel adapter is.
Yes the steering wheel adapter has the fakra connector that will hook into the vehicle harness and it will plug in no problem. The problem is the connectors at the other end that hooks into your HU output are the older ISO connectors. I attached the picture from the ebay seller to illustrate the larger black fakra connector and the smaller black and brownish/red connector are female ISO connectors and will NOT connect to the VW03B wiring harness with its male Farka output.
Your choices are A, cut the wires that go to the ISO connectors and splice then into the pioneer HU wires coming from the black and white plugs. Basically using the steering wheel adapter as the wiring harness, the colors match up, so you won't need the scosche wiring harness. I can't guarantee anything because I didn't do it this way.
Or choice B, which is what I actually did, buy a metra harness that outputs to male ISO connector, basically the harness for the pre-2004 MB's and plug in accordingly. Between the iso connectors of the steering wheel adapters and the metra harness there was one big problem. The position of the accessory power (red) and main power (yellow) were swapped. This was a bit of pain figuring it all out but once I did, it became plug and play.
Everything works and I haven't played with too terribly much since i just finished it yesterday but I have control of track selection, volume, radio frequency as well.
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From: Taipei Taiwan
'10 E63 Obsidiant Black; '06 R350 Alabaster White; 05 C55 Obsidiant Black (sold)
Hope this helps.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
John,
Yes the steering wheel adapter has the fakra connector that will hook into the vehicle harness and it will plug in no problem. The problem is the connectors at the other end that hooks into your HU output are the older ISO connectors. I attached the picture from the ebay seller to illustrate the larger black fakra connector and the smaller black and brownish/red connector are female ISO connectors and will NOT connect to the VW03B wiring harness with its male Farka output.
Your choices are A, cut the wires that go to the ISO connectors and splice then into the pioneer HU wires coming from the black and white plugs. Basically using the steering wheel adapter as the wiring harness, the colors match up, so you won't need the scosche wiring harness. I can't guarantee anything because I didn't do it this way.
Or choice B, which is what I actually did, buy a metra harness that outputs to male ISO connector, basically the harness for the pre-2004 MB's and plug in accordingly. Between the iso connectors of the steering wheel adapters and the metra harness there was one big problem. The position of the accessory power (red) and main power (yellow) were swapped. This was a bit of pain figuring it all out but once I did, it became plug and play.
Everything works and I haven't played with too terribly much since i just finished it yesterday but I have control of track selection, volume, radio frequency as well.
Yes the steering wheel adapter has the fakra connector that will hook into the vehicle harness and it will plug in no problem. The problem is the connectors at the other end that hooks into your HU output are the older ISO connectors. I attached the picture from the ebay seller to illustrate the larger black fakra connector and the smaller black and brownish/red connector are female ISO connectors and will NOT connect to the VW03B wiring harness with its male Farka output.
Your choices are A, cut the wires that go to the ISO connectors and splice then into the pioneer HU wires coming from the black and white plugs. Basically using the steering wheel adapter as the wiring harness, the colors match up, so you won't need the scosche wiring harness. I can't guarantee anything because I didn't do it this way.
Or choice B, which is what I actually did, buy a metra harness that outputs to male ISO connector, basically the harness for the pre-2004 MB's and plug in accordingly. Between the iso connectors of the steering wheel adapters and the metra harness there was one big problem. The position of the accessory power (red) and main power (yellow) were swapped. This was a bit of pain figuring it all out but once I did, it became plug and play.
Everything works and I haven't played with too terribly much since i just finished it yesterday but I have control of track selection, volume, radio frequency as well.
I will order the wiring harness for the 2004-down and swap the 2 wires.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Hey TuneTime, I was browsing in AVIC411.com and somebody on the forum figured out how to get rid of those beeps- LINK HERE
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 60
From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
the voice recognition for the IPOD only scan the ipod the first time and only when you add new files/music to the ipod! and according to how many songs you have on the ipod and this is a Feature that you CAN turn off.
The Beeps can be turned off aswell.. people have already HACK the System and doing their own mods to it so it more customize and behind the NAVI software is actually a running computer screen with a Start button thats why the system takes a while to start up becuase its a Windows based system!.. and it starts up just like a regular computer.
the Avic Forums has all the info you will need to HACK the unit!
OR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24tVA8vBT58
Last edited by WaveyKat; Nov 12, 2008 at 10:46 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 46
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From: NM
White 2005 C240
Don't mean to sound ignorant but I am hooking up an HU right now and I am a little confused on the power wire for the antenna adapter. Do I need to hook it up to constant power(yellow) , the ACC(red) or the antenna power wire(blue)? Thanks
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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I have the f900 with the pac audio controls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nErjRHXgDbQ
I'm very happy with the unit - with voice control - way better than the Kenwood. I just need to apply the 2.0 patch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nErjRHXgDbQ
I'm very happy with the unit - with voice control - way better than the Kenwood. I just need to apply the 2.0 patch.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 57
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Also the MSN Direct feature of the F900 is 'fairly' cool. I use it for commuting in the bay area
At night when I leave Santa Clara - I have the map on 2D mode zoomed out and I can see the various traffic jams on 101, 237, 84 and 880 - and then drive home accordingly. It is pretty useful (unfortunatly the traffic is always pretty bad - but at least I have a higher chance of missing the really bad stuff.)
At night when I leave Santa Clara - I have the map on 2D mode zoomed out and I can see the various traffic jams on 101, 237, 84 and 880 - and then drive home accordingly. It is pretty useful (unfortunatly the traffic is always pretty bad - but at least I have a higher chance of missing the really bad stuff.)
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,459
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From: Houston/ Austin /Toronto / UAE / Minneapolis / Orlando /Cincinnati
Eurocharged Performance ML63 and TT lambo
I was thinking about geting the f and selling my Aciv-d3 but I don't think I can live without the navtraffic. The msn stuff just doesnt work as well.
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Nope - it doesn't work with any CD changer - not even the Pioneer. I was bummed about this at first - but now I'm an iPod junky. Also - it has a DVD drive that if you were to convert your cd's onto a DVD - you should be able to have one DVD with way more CDs than any cd changer could hold.
Still though - I have all those CDs - I can still play them - just one at a time.
Mostly though - I'm using my iPod.
Thanks,
Still though - I have all those CDs - I can still play them - just one at a time.
Mostly though - I'm using my iPod.
Thanks,
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 312
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas, NV
C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan
Nope - it doesn't work with any CD changer - not even the Pioneer. I was bummed about this at first - but now I'm an iPod junky. Also - it has a DVD drive that if you were to convert your cd's onto a DVD - you should be able to have one DVD with way more CDs than any cd changer could hold.
Still though - I have all those CDs - I can still play them - just one at a time.
Mostly though - I'm using my iPod.
Thanks,
Still though - I have all those CDs - I can still play them - just one at a time.
Mostly though - I'm using my iPod.
Thanks,
Supposedly it works with the iPhone and you can still use the iPhone through BT. Anyone try this/can verify this?
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07 MB C230
I'm not familiar with a power wire for an antenna adapter. The adapter just adapts the European standard connector to pioneer's antenna connection, no need for power there.
Since MB, at mine didn't, don't have power antennas I don't believe you need to hook up the blue antenna power wires at all.
Since MB, at mine didn't, don't have power antennas I don't believe you need to hook up the blue antenna power wires at all.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: NM
White 2005 C240
The antenna adapter I bought has a red wiring comes from the metal cylinder in the middle of the adapter. I though I saw on the forum that it needs some power so the FM reception would be good. No sure, any ideas?
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07 MB C230
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 453
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From: Bay Area, CA
'04 Mars Red C230K Sport Coupe (not Coup-EH)
Got mine in the other day. I'm still waiting for my HD radio add-on, which should be here in a few days.
One thing I can say: with firmware 2.0 (and mods), it's much better and faster. Mods I would suggest are increasing Windows CE memory, adding a mute button to the nav window, and removing the speed limiter.
Another thing: the way this thing does iPod connectivity is just stupid, IMO. Instead of getting all data over USB, it only controls the iPod over USB and charges it; it requires the iPod composite cable (which is basically a usb cable with yellow, white, and red RCA connectors attached for output) to get audio and video. From a technical standpoint, this is easier; use the analog inputs that you already have for audio and video as opposed to writing your own software to convert digital video and audio direct from the iPod on Windows CE (which is the base OS for this device).
On the other hand, I had to go buy an extra $50 worth of cable from the Apple store to get it to work, which kinda sucked. Also, as I wasn't aware of this boneheaded move (missed that bit in the manual), I was trying to figure out why my iPod would charge and play, but with no sound or video. Avic411.com to the rescue.
Also, I can confirm that, unlike previous Pioneer offerings, the iPhone does autoconnect and transfer phone book contacts with this unit. That was part of the reason I upgraded from my 9800BT. I'll post up a video or two (there are others out there) later.
One thing I can say: with firmware 2.0 (and mods), it's much better and faster. Mods I would suggest are increasing Windows CE memory, adding a mute button to the nav window, and removing the speed limiter.
Another thing: the way this thing does iPod connectivity is just stupid, IMO. Instead of getting all data over USB, it only controls the iPod over USB and charges it; it requires the iPod composite cable (which is basically a usb cable with yellow, white, and red RCA connectors attached for output) to get audio and video. From a technical standpoint, this is easier; use the analog inputs that you already have for audio and video as opposed to writing your own software to convert digital video and audio direct from the iPod on Windows CE (which is the base OS for this device).
On the other hand, I had to go buy an extra $50 worth of cable from the Apple store to get it to work, which kinda sucked. Also, as I wasn't aware of this boneheaded move (missed that bit in the manual), I was trying to figure out why my iPod would charge and play, but with no sound or video. Avic411.com to the rescue.
Also, I can confirm that, unlike previous Pioneer offerings, the iPhone does autoconnect and transfer phone book contacts with this unit. That was part of the reason I upgraded from my 9800BT. I'll post up a video or two (there are others out there) later.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 312
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas, NV
C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan
Got mine in the other day. I'm still waiting for my HD radio add-on, which should be here in a few days.
One thing I can say: with firmware 2.0 (and mods), it's much better and faster. Mods I would suggest are increasing Windows CE memory, adding a mute button to the nav window, and removing the speed limiter.
Another thing: the way this thing does iPod connectivity is just stupid, IMO. Instead of getting all data over USB, it only controls the iPod over USB and charges it; it requires the iPod composite cable (which is basically a usb cable with yellow, white, and red RCA connectors attached for output) to get audio and video. From a technical standpoint, this is easier; use the analog inputs that you already have for audio and video as opposed to writing your own software to convert digital video and audio direct from the iPod on Windows CE (which is the base OS for this device).
On the other hand, I had to go buy an extra $50 worth of cable from the Apple store to get it to work, which kinda sucked. Also, as I wasn't aware of this boneheaded move (missed that bit in the manual), I was trying to figure out why my iPod would charge and play, but with no sound or video. Avic411.com to the rescue.
Also, I can confirm that, unlike previous Pioneer offerings, the iPhone does autoconnect and transfer phone book contacts with this unit. That was part of the reason I upgraded from my 9800BT. I'll post up a video or two (there are others out there) later.
One thing I can say: with firmware 2.0 (and mods), it's much better and faster. Mods I would suggest are increasing Windows CE memory, adding a mute button to the nav window, and removing the speed limiter.
Another thing: the way this thing does iPod connectivity is just stupid, IMO. Instead of getting all data over USB, it only controls the iPod over USB and charges it; it requires the iPod composite cable (which is basically a usb cable with yellow, white, and red RCA connectors attached for output) to get audio and video. From a technical standpoint, this is easier; use the analog inputs that you already have for audio and video as opposed to writing your own software to convert digital video and audio direct from the iPod on Windows CE (which is the base OS for this device).
On the other hand, I had to go buy an extra $50 worth of cable from the Apple store to get it to work, which kinda sucked. Also, as I wasn't aware of this boneheaded move (missed that bit in the manual), I was trying to figure out why my iPod would charge and play, but with no sound or video. Avic411.com to the rescue.
Also, I can confirm that, unlike previous Pioneer offerings, the iPhone does autoconnect and transfer phone book contacts with this unit. That was part of the reason I upgraded from my 9800BT. I'll post up a video or two (there are others out there) later.
Are you connecting your iphone via bluetooth and it's downloading the phonebook that way?
How much is it for the HD radio component?
What's the part number from apple that you needed?
Do you have it working with the steering wheel controls?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 453
Likes: 3
From: Bay Area, CA
'04 Mars Red C230K Sport Coupe (not Coup-EH)
I'm jealous! That just makes me want one even more now.
1. Are you connecting your iphone via bluetooth and it's downloading the phonebook that way?
2. How much is it for the HD radio component?
3. What's the part number from apple that you needed?
4. Do you have it working with the steering wheel controls?
1. Are you connecting your iphone via bluetooth and it's downloading the phonebook that way?
2. How much is it for the HD radio component?
3. What's the part number from apple that you needed?
4. Do you have it working with the steering wheel controls?
2. The HD radio component is about $100 retail, but with MSN Live's 25% cashback on ebay items it comes out to be about $65 (ebay price - 25%).
3. Apple part number is MB129LL/A - Apple Composite AV cable. Pioneer has one as well, but it retails for $50, which is the same cost as Apple's. Apple's comes with a USB charger that you can use for most USB devices, including iPods and such to charge them. I guess I could have gotten a cheap knockoff from Fry's, I'm sure, but this does quite well.
4. Steering wheel controls (as well as, conveniently, reverse wire and illumination wire) are provided by the Pioneer CA-R.PI.131, which works for 01 to 04s (there's another unit for the 05 and up). Unfortunately this item is not easily acquired on this side of the pond. If you know someone in the UK (or much of Europe, for that matter), it's much easier to ask them to go to a local radio shop and order it and have it shipped to you. The approximate cost was 65 euros, if I remember correctly. Ebay sellers tend to charge more, if you can find it.
Last edited by jedcred; Nov 19, 2008 at 07:45 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 791
Likes: 37
From: Detroit Area
W203 C230, W210 E350, W166 ML63
Jedcred, looks very nice. I was thinking about getting one of those, I'm just worried about the install since I'd need too take it somewhere to get it installed due to my lack of HU intellect.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
'05 C320 Sport Coupe
Sport Coupe + AVIC-F90BT (FTW, i hope!)
Jedcred,
Looks great. Three questions:
1) Where did you run your iPhone cable to? (glove box or center console)
2) Where did you install your GPS antenna? (I have seen the OEM antenna under the dash)
3) Where do plan on installing your HD radio module? (I have the XM module and trying to figure out best place)
Tim
Looks great. Three questions:
1) Where did you run your iPhone cable to? (glove box or center console)
2) Where did you install your GPS antenna? (I have seen the OEM antenna under the dash)
3) Where do plan on installing your HD radio module? (I have the XM module and trying to figure out best place)
Tim
