carpersn

Just noticed this service bulletin, which addresses the fact that the iPhone 3G won't charge (i obviously knew this from experience, and know why), but the SB i found is unclear as to what solution is offered? does anyone know if they are replacing the cable to offer charge to the iPhone 3G under this SB?

I realize this may've been addressed in model-specific forums, but short of searching all of those...

THanks!

Nov 24, 2008
S-B-82.60/643

lkchris

I have copy of S-B-82.60/643a dated 1/14/09 (that is, later date and supercedes yours)

Title: (Lots of models) Equipped with iPod Interface System or Media Interface System (Option Code 518)
Apple iPhone 3G or Newer iPod Generations Not Charging

Text:
If you receive customer reports in the above model vehicles (equipped with any of the two options below)
that their Apple product (refer to below list) is not charging but music/telephone communication functions
are operational, this maybe due to a change in the charging circuit design by the Apple Corporation.

Option: Accessory Media Interface Option (518) or iPod Interface Kits (part numbers B6 782 2890,
B6 782 4239, B6 782 4246, B6 782 4253, B6 782 4254, B6 782 4258 or B6 782 4094

Apple Product: iPhone 3G, iPod Nano 4th Generation, iPod Touch 2nd Generation and iPod
Classic 120 Gigabyte (GB) storage capacity, as well as all iPod/iPhone products superseding the ones
referenced in this Bulletin.

For vehicles equipped with the Accessory Media Interface Option, a customer-pay remedy is forthcoming.

This bulletin will be updated accordingly when available.

For iPod Interface Kits (part numbers listed on Page 1), a new iPod data cable connecting the iPod
Interface Module and the iPod/iPhone, the part number is B6 782 45 31. This is a customer-pay remedy.
This technical change (change in charging circuit in newer Apple Products) is applied by the Apple
Corporation; MBUSA is not responsible for diagnostics, parts and labor costs.

Note: These remedies cannot be claimed under warranty, this is only to be used for Information.
Any repairs claimed under warranty for these conditions will be fully debited.

...

This is a bit confusing, but in any event I think mine (in GL) charges. I don't know part number of my iPod interface kit, as it was factory installed. I'm in fact still a bit worried about the 5 volt thing, but wireless4mb assured me it wasn't a problem FWIW.

It's also not clear to me whether this bulletin addresses only connecting the iPhone 3G directly to the iPod interface kit. I don't do this, but rather there's a connection between my kit and the iPhone cradle, so maybe that's why it works.

E500 Benzo

this has nothing to do with the phone cradle (or even the phone side of the iphone)

it has to do with the ipod audio input aspect of the system. that's why lkchris's system works fine - he has it pluged into the phone crade (after all the iphone is a phone)

E500 Benzo

the apple store actually sells an inline adapter (made by scoche) that fixes the problem.

screw MB on this one calling it a "customer-pay remedy" and saying "MBUSA is not responsible for diagnostics, parts and labor costs."

they failed to design an up to date kit that works with the new generation ipods/iphones. this is nothing new. apple changed the charging circuit on these things months ago... and Mercedes is now sending out a bulletin saying "This bulletin will be updated accordingly when available." when in fact the aftermarket has already corrected mercedes's lack of foresight with this one.

I'd be furious if I had paid for an ipod interface from MB and they made my buy a new adapter just to make it work, calling it my problem.

lkchris

You'd be nuts if you bought the car before apple updated its products. Mercedes doesn't owe you to keep up with the changes for free. Guess they maybe are a little slow to have the parts in their system.

E500 Benzo

im not saying that... im saying dont sell an obsolete product as part of a premium car. case in point:

my girlfriends dad just dropped 6 figures buying her a new s-class. on top of the car's astronomically high price, Mercedes charges for an ipod integration kit to integrate the ipod/iphone. but this kit is useless without a $20 part that some 3rd party has to build and design (that still works horribly - not what i would call integration at all)

and the current generation of apple products that have this "change" applied to them have been on the market (commercially available, not just in design or beta testing) for over a year. its impossible for mercedes to not have known about this until january of this year.

now ur right, mercedes doesn't owe it to everyone to give them free parts to keep up with changes... all im saying is that mercedes has a duty to provide this $20 part free of charge with the purchase of a brand new $100,000.00+ car, or to at least notify customers that the "OEM integrated solution" they're about to pay extra coin for doesnt work with their precious ipod and iphones (or at least not without a "quick fix" cable that probably costs mercedes pennies to make that they refuse to give you without charging money for) - especially when they clearly know of this issue

[end of rant]

ToonArmy

According to this link, Apple supposedly communicated their intention to discontinue Firewire charging support on iPods/iPhones in 2005, although it was only with the 3G that they actually did so. But if they did inform M-B, then it really is pretty tacky of M-B to introduce a product after such notification.

UK-C200

Did she ask? My dealer tossed in well over $20 worth of extras on each car I've purchased.

Somehow I doubt MB dealers won't be handing out cables to those who need them when they come out - or at least to the ones who spend $100k?! A better question to ask is why MB does not already have cables ready - I could guess, but that's all - you do realize that not only did the charging pin assignment change, but the charging voltage as well?

Chip

I've asked 50 people this question. How do you listen to your I-tunes in your Mercedes and nobody really knows. I'll be damed if I'm going to buy some expensive adaptor and find that is doesn't work.

I have a Land Rover where when I plug the I-phone into the AUX input there is no volume. After being quoted over $500 by the dealership I don't want to spend all that money and have the same thing happen in my Mercedes. The dealer here does not inspire confidence that he even knows what he is talking about.

Skylaw

Chip,

#51 has the answer. For models between 2000 and 2006, see https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-ele...mentation.html and https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-ele...ml#post2471051. For later models, you need an MB iPod kit for the car. There are many, many reports that these work.

UK-C200

Skylaw's right - the iPod kits works fine - key is to understand what you are buying in advance, and how it works. There are upsides to it, and advantages to the various aftermarket solutions as well.

On your Land Rover - did you purchase the "right" AUX cable? The first gen iPods have a recessed headphone jack, and "standard" aux cables don't work well if at all..

SteveAustin

From my experience, the Scoshe adapter works poorly, I get a lot of interference with this adapter. FYI, the cable piece quoted earlier B6 782 45 31 is $50, but will cost you in labor. I'm getting it installed soon -- I hate the background noise.

carpersn

I've strongly considered the new cable option, but i've also got a 60gig iPod classic that may be used intermittently, which would, i think, render me unable to charge that one?

I was thinking the Scosche might be the answer and hate to hear of the interference issue.

cycle11111

Where did you see the inline adpater from the Apple store - I went on the website and couldn't find it

cycle11111

Sorry found the adapter - I will give it a try when it shows up

SteveAustin

Sent you a PM

SteveAustin

I just got the new cable installed with my older ipod kit...works great, I highly recommend it. One hour and some change in labor and $50 for the part quoted above.

carpersn

Question: Does the new ipod cable charge BOTH the iPhone and older iPod models?

cycle11111

I literally today received the Scosche adpater I ordered off the Apple website for my iPhone. Plugged it into the ipod adapter in my glovebox and then into the iPhone. Worked perfect no interference, iPhone charged and it showed up in the multi function dash display. I got a msg on the iPhone saying this was not an iPod accessory and did I want to go to airplane mode. I said now and all was fine - I get the same message on my Apple brand universal iPhone/Ipod doc and also just respond no. Also calls to my phone stop the iPod, I can take them, hang up and then th eIpod starts again. Grips is I need to make the cable longer so I can get the iPhone easily out of the glove box.

illusion8055

The one ot fault here is Apple. Not only are they the only company using their own proprietary connector, but they have different versions of it.

I have been an iPod user since the 3rd gen 40GB version, upgraded to the 80GB Video, and also bout a 16GB 3G. My AC adapters that I had for my iPods don't work on my iPhone, one of them EVEN BEING GENUINE from Apple itself (the 3rd gen iPods used to come with AC adapters). The charger for my iPhone seems to be backwards compatible.

I recently installed a 2009 Sony headunit in my sister's 2000 Accord, and I tried the ipod integrator with my iPhone... guess what, no dice!!!!

My 2010 GLK350... no dice


Even uploading contacts through the crippled iPhone bluetooth,,, no F***IN DICE!!

FU APPLE!! F iTUNES TOO!!

My phone is jailbroken... any apps get around at least the annoying contacts issues??

cycle11111

Illusion8055 the scosche adapter works fine for me and charges great. Lets think it through a bit Apple changes the adapters sure but Nokia, Ericsson, Palm, Samsung and many others to some degree use proprietary connectors. I still see MB as the biggest issue as if all their cars had a basic 3.5mm jack for their Aux we could at least all work into the car easily with a simple cable. I personally would prefer that over the goofy cable from MB.

lkchris

If your DON'T have the iPod adapter kit, you DO have a 3.5 mm female.

Skylaw

I can understand the frustration over the charging issue - but as the string has established, there are adapters.

But you jailbreak your iPhone (which by definition means altering its firmware), and then complain that it doesn't work as you'd like, and somehow that's Apple's fault? Guess again.

shahineo

The Mercedes Media Inteface (not the iPod kit) is not comptabile with the iPhone 3G or any USB powered iPods.

The mentioned cable solution above only works if you car has an iPod kit. My car, a GL320 Bluetec with the premium package, has something called a Media Inteface kit.

The bulletin mentioned above is accurate and in calling Mercedes they still don't have a solution for charging.

The Scosche passPORT does not work with the Media Interface and neither does the Garmin product.

However the Ridax adapter does work:

http://www.chargeconverter.com/

I just received mine and it's fantastic.

Hope this helps.