DIY OEM Mic Modification for use with your phone setup
#1
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DIY OEM Mic Modification for use with your phone setup
If you like your installs to be neat and clean like me then this is how to install the mic to your Bluetooth system. I installed the AVIC F90BT but I’m sure this will work with many other units. You do not have to cut the mic cable as I did. This can be done with the cable intact. I used the OEM mic connector to have a separation point if ever having to remove the mic/mirror/headliner.
Modification instructions:
Tools needed: small tool with pointed end to pry open the mic housings.
Remove the rearview mirror:
Pull down the dome light in order to unplug the rear view mirror. Courtesy of Blake P
Remove dome light cover: I used a butter knife and pried the cover loose starting from the top left side (closest to the driver's side), then pried open the rest using my fingers. I've heard of others using a flathead screwdriver to pry it open, but a butter knife seemed to work better for me.
(sorry, no pic of this step)
Remove entire dome area by sliding two clips behind the dome light. This will expose all wires that supply power to the dome and map lights.
Locate the connector for the rearview mirror on the left side & unplug.
Locate the connector for the mic & unplug.
Pull down on the rearview mirror. It is held in place by a spring mechanism, not by any bolts. Takes a bit of force!
Disassemble the Mercedes mic:
With the rearview mirror out, remove the mic. There are 3 small tabs that hold it in place.
Pry the mic housing apart & remove the mic.
Remove the rubber surround piece from the mic. Don’t destroy it. You will need it later.
Pop the hard plastic piece from the rubber surround.
Disassemble the Pioneer mic:
Pry the mic housing apart being careful not to push your tool too far in as the mic sits directly in the front of the housing.
The mic has glue on two spots so you will have to pry the mic out.
Install the Pioneer mic into the Mercedes housing:
Cut a small notch on the side of the rubber housing. Needed to allow the cable to pass through.
Thread the cable through the rubber housing that was removed from the Mercedes mic.
Re-install the rubber housing with the Pioneer mic into the Mercedes mic housing.
Thread the cable through the opening in the mic housing.
Re-install the cover to the Mercedes mic housing.
Re-install the mic into the rearview mirror:
Install the mic in the reverse order then run the cable down to your radio.
That’s it… Enjoy your concealed mic. It works 100% perfect.
Modification instructions:
Tools needed: small tool with pointed end to pry open the mic housings.
Remove the rearview mirror:
Pull down the dome light in order to unplug the rear view mirror. Courtesy of Blake P
Remove dome light cover: I used a butter knife and pried the cover loose starting from the top left side (closest to the driver's side), then pried open the rest using my fingers. I've heard of others using a flathead screwdriver to pry it open, but a butter knife seemed to work better for me.
(sorry, no pic of this step)
Remove entire dome area by sliding two clips behind the dome light. This will expose all wires that supply power to the dome and map lights.
Locate the connector for the rearview mirror on the left side & unplug.
Locate the connector for the mic & unplug.
Pull down on the rearview mirror. It is held in place by a spring mechanism, not by any bolts. Takes a bit of force!
Disassemble the Mercedes mic:
With the rearview mirror out, remove the mic. There are 3 small tabs that hold it in place.
Pry the mic housing apart & remove the mic.
Remove the rubber surround piece from the mic. Don’t destroy it. You will need it later.
Pop the hard plastic piece from the rubber surround.
Disassemble the Pioneer mic:
Pry the mic housing apart being careful not to push your tool too far in as the mic sits directly in the front of the housing.
The mic has glue on two spots so you will have to pry the mic out.
Install the Pioneer mic into the Mercedes housing:
Cut a small notch on the side of the rubber housing. Needed to allow the cable to pass through.
Thread the cable through the rubber housing that was removed from the Mercedes mic.
Re-install the rubber housing with the Pioneer mic into the Mercedes mic housing.
Thread the cable through the opening in the mic housing.
Re-install the cover to the Mercedes mic housing.
Re-install the mic into the rearview mirror:
Install the mic in the reverse order then run the cable down to your radio.
That’s it… Enjoy your concealed mic. It works 100% perfect.
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Kettavan (03-05-2019)
#5
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While I had both mics out I measured the Ohms on both and the Mercedes one has a larger resistance than the Pioneer one. I hooked it up still just to be sure it wouldn't work. It was muffled and the sound quality was extremely low. With this mod it works perfectly.
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#8
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2012 C300 4Matic
I think it's worth mentioning that you will not have this microphone in that spot if you have a 2005+ vehicle. It was replaced with a multi microphone array which you can see on the underside of the rear view mirror.
#11
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2012 C300 4Matic
Yes, and it's not longer one mic, it's an array. I installed the phone system in my car (2005 prewired for phone). It's a piece of cake. The hardest part is taking out the trunk liner, which isn't hard. The scumbag stealers want almost a thousand in labor for something that takes them an hour.
#12
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Black 02' C230
hold on...wait a min
So are u saying that u can no use your bluetooth phone like it was the MB install...and if so I think u need to list everything that u will need to make this work for us technically challenged
#14
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2012 C300 4Matic
Well since you have an 05, it isn't 1 mic. This might make it a little harder to tap - I'm not sure how it's wired exactly. I know that if you remove the plastic floor in the back of the trunk the microphone has a connection back there (it's labeled). You should be able to tap into it there without doing any damage and find out if it works with your GPS.