Help with Sat Radio install S430
12-23-2003, 06:43 AM
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All Diesel Fleet !1983 240d stick,2005 E320 CDI Midnight blue, 2005 E320 CDI, Desert Silver, Kubota
Help with Sat Radio install S430
Hi. I have a 2002 S430 with factory command, integrated cell phone, 6 disc changer, and multifunction steering wheel control. I am getting ready to have a XM Sat Radio installed. It uses a hardwired fm modulator( between antenna and radio). I would much prefer to use an aux input. The XM product has RCA outputs. Is there any way I can input the sat radio into my radio? I don't want to tear the tape unit apart, and I just need audio. The XM has a small head unit which will fit into the ashtray and give me the readout I need. Thanks.
12-23-2003, 09:03 AM
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2000 S500 Brilliant Silver, 1990 BMW 735iL, 1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO, 1976 Pontiac Formula 400
I had an Alpine xm system installed in my 2000 S class in the ashtray. It uses a modulator, but sounds excellent, much better than the one in my GM vehicle. Until a direct interface is developed, this sure does the trick, and I may not even switch then.
12-23-2003, 01:41 PM
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2002 C230 Kompressor
aux-in
Use the AUX-in on the COMAND. I'm not familiar with the COMAND 2.5s but I would imagine they're similar in electronics to the 2.0s - which all have AUX-in capabilities.
In the Cs there is a stereo mini-plug jack on the inside right-hand side of the glove box that goes to the AUX-in of a factory COMAND.
If you don't have the jack then you can make up a line very easily. Pick up an RCA stereo extension cable from Radio Shack and cut it to an appropriate length... All you need is the female end. Strip back the insulation on both wires and you'll see the core & shield for left & right. Strip back the core so you have 4 exposed wires. Pick up a 4 of the C2 pins from your parts dept (A008 545 55 26) and attach one to each exposed wire. Once you've made this adapter up pull the COMAND and find the C2 plug - it's the longer 18 (I think) pin connector. It's inside a shell - remove the shell using a small screwdriver to pry it out.
Connect the adapter as follows:
Right signal - 4
Right shield - 5
Left signal - 13
Left shield - 14
Connect your XM unit direct to this cable using regular RCA (male-male) cable. Put everything back together and access the AUX however your manual says to. On the 2.0s you hit the SVC button and scroll to AUX.
Good Luck!
In the Cs there is a stereo mini-plug jack on the inside right-hand side of the glove box that goes to the AUX-in of a factory COMAND.
If you don't have the jack then you can make up a line very easily. Pick up an RCA stereo extension cable from Radio Shack and cut it to an appropriate length... All you need is the female end. Strip back the insulation on both wires and you'll see the core & shield for left & right. Strip back the core so you have 4 exposed wires. Pick up a 4 of the C2 pins from your parts dept (A008 545 55 26) and attach one to each exposed wire. Once you've made this adapter up pull the COMAND and find the C2 plug - it's the longer 18 (I think) pin connector. It's inside a shell - remove the shell using a small screwdriver to pry it out.
Connect the adapter as follows:
Right signal - 4
Right shield - 5
Left signal - 13
Left shield - 14
Connect your XM unit direct to this cable using regular RCA (male-male) cable. Put everything back together and access the AUX however your manual says to. On the 2.0s you hit the SVC button and scroll to AUX.
Good Luck!
12-23-2003, 02:24 PM
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All Diesel Fleet !1983 240d stick,2005 E320 CDI Midnight blue, 2005 E320 CDI, Desert Silver, Kubota
Aux in for S430
Thanks for the info. There is no stereo mini-plug in my glove compartment and the last button on my command is not labeled and has no function. I tried the SVC button to get some other menus but ng. Any ideas? Thanks.
12-23-2003, 02:42 PM
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2002 C230 Kompressor
again, i'm not at all familiar with that model of the COMAND, so i can't be of much help! did you check the manual? if there is an auxillary input it *should* be referred to in the manual. good luck!
12-23-2003, 04:00 PM
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2000 S500 Brilliant Silver, 1990 BMW 735iL, 1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO, 1976 Pontiac Formula 400
My dealer did the install on my 2000 S500 and didnot use the aux. I think they would have if it was doable without too much trouble.
Maybe the newer models have better aux capability. Its all good.
Maybe the newer models have better aux capability. Its all good.
12-23-2003, 04:15 PM
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2002 C230 Kompressor
i stand corrected
oops! sorry to lead you off in the wrong direction. i've done some more research and apparently the COMAND 2.5 does NOT have AUX capability. you can modify the tape player to allow for RCA in, however that will disable tape playing functionality.
sorry!
sorry!
