loudandheard

I'm thinking the radio reception may have some thing to do with the service bulletin on a lot of our cars. Apparently you have to replace the whole rear glass in order to get the reception to improve.

I know when I turn on my rear defroster on my car, the reception goes away or has a lot of static. My radio and every thing is stock.

c32used

I think it depends cause I never had reception problems before or after upgrade

bheng

Hey guys. I am in the process of installing my hu. but i ran into a problem. I cant find the 12v acc turn on.

those of you that installed your hu, where did you get that power from. i dont want my unit to be on 24/7 lol

please help

Brian

samaritrey

cig lighter is usually used for 12v acc power or trigger.

bignaldo

it took 2 hrs for me to find the wire that i used cause i forgot that every tjing has a delay when turning off so i kinda tapped to the wipers lol it works but when i turn off the carthe radio stays on for bout 15 20 secs lol

bheng

I tapped the cig lighter. took me about 10 minutes. lol. i ended up getting a light test. that helped a lot. but i blew out the cig fuse. had to put a new one in there. and it ended up being the wire =)

Thanks


Brian

kylec240

I know this is going to be a dumb question and search is my friend but going through this whole thread will take a long time, and with half the pictures not working I figured I just asked and see what kind of response I get, I was wondering what all do I need, i.e connectors and/or kits to put in a double din dvd player into my 02 c240? I want to keep the steering wheel functions as well as the 6 disc cd changer if I can. The car is bone stock as of now since I just bought it last week. Thanks in advanced guys.

samaritrey

well you will need a unit that has an adapter for the steering wheel buttons. and i don't think any aftermarket unit works with oem cd changer. please search your car is old now and there are many posts about the same exact thing you want to do. you have to spend a few hours reading and you will find all your answers and more then you ever wanted to know about your w203. this is a kind warning most members will just ignore your post or mock you until you introduce yourself and become a well read member. the faster you start reading and get to know everyone the more we will help you in the future.

btw please add your location so we can help you better in the future.

jcnash

Hi as Samaritrey has said...please do search. I know that its a very long thread but you can always use the thread specific search feature.

To start you off though, here are some answers:
The Pioneer AVIC is by far the most popular double din audio/visual system for cars..lots of people here have installed them in their W203's. The AVIC's also let you use your steering controls but you will need a special adapter for that which is called the CAR-PI-131 for your 02 W203 (CAR-PI-133 for newer W203's). You will also need a mounting kit which secures your AVIC to the car. Metra makes these kits..look for Metra double din mounting kit for W203. Search on eBay. Other sources are listed in this thread...do a search for the model number. You also need an antenna adapter because the OEM radio antenna does not plug into the AVIC directly. The adapters are usually sold with the mounting kit. As Samaritrey has said, you cant use the OEM CD changer with any non-OEM head unit.

One other option for you to consider is the OEM COMAND from MB which will let you interface with the CD changer and the steering wheel controls withotu adapters etc. but you better have deep pockets if you wan to go this route.

Cheers!

samaritrey

My cd based nav unit cost under 200 so you don't have to have deep pockets. you do need patience though that is how i got my nav unit and my bix so cheap bix for under 550 deal of the century.

kylec240

Thanks guys for the help. I have done a little bit of researching already and from dealing with my old car, I will do more and more research. Thanks for your knowledge and input though.

drexappeal

Like many have indicated, the information has been discussed over and over in the forum. Quite honestly, if you don't have the patience to read through this thread, I would recommend just paying a professional to install for you.

Just like school, you're not going to learn anything if you don't read. Same thing goes for any aftermarket modifications you make to the car. You don't go into a DIY project without reading and doing research first. I wouldn't recommend anybody to try DIY, if they don't have the patience to research first. The worst-case scenario in jumping in (without initially studying) is you have a bunch of parts laying around that you don't know how to put back together. Is that really worth the "money saved?"...Not really.

Good luck with your project and we wish you the best of luck. There are many people still active on this forum that I'm sure can help you "fill in the blanks" if you reach an impass. I've asked for advice on stereo equipment in the past because it's definitely not my forte, but it was definitely not without reading through long threads like this first.

ChristianJan

Anyone have any updated pics from this thread? The pics are on a dead link.

mynameiseldin

Any good doouble din headunits around 500$ that still let you use the steering wheel controls?

EuroB6

I have been looking into installing the AVIC unit into my C230, but i cant seem to find a company that makes a mounting brackket for our cars as a double din? I was on crutchfields site to try and grab some info and they are not offering any double din brackets, any ideas where i can find one fo our vehicles?

mynameiseldin

Go to ebay. I saw them a while back for like 15$ I think.

jcnash

What car do you drive? Year, Model? The mounting bracket type depends on that.

jcnash

Dude...read the thread. I usually hate saying that...but youre over the top in every thread!

c32used

Anyone have a link to where I can buy the car.pi 133? I tried Ebay but no luck..help!

IllusionX

Got my AVIC in, sorry I never posted pictures, had a few family issues, just picked up HIDs, will post pics tomorrow. Got my stupid bulb issue fixed, thanks for the help. =]

IllusionX

Heres the pics, using a kit from ebay with harness and amplified antenna. Using the AVIC-F900BT.. GPS antenna is run but passenger windshield on the dash, microphone on my sunvisor with iPod plug in my glove box to play video and music.

exs3txm

I'm on the road to buying a Pioneer Avic f900bt. i did the research and went through all threads and just wanted to make sure this is all i need, to make it work with most OEM devices. this is what i have bookmarked so far.

- F900bt
- SWI-PS
- SWI-CAN
- double din dash kit.

this is going into a 2001 c240.

(any extra Advice would truly be appreciated.)

Thanks, Evan.

samaritrey

You have standard audio right.

jreC230

tap to cigarette lighter better.

hieracity

Yo, when are we hooking up? Would love to see your set up in person.