91RS

I haven't been able to find a ton of info on adding the factory SDARS to my car. I know I need to have the connections in the back, but taking the trunk lining off is a huge pain and I just haven't had time to do it yet. I know the 07s were stripped down, but should my 05 have the connections in the back? I have Harmon Kardon but didn't have Comand installed from the factory (I installed it myself). I pulled the lining back as far as I could but I can't see all the way to the bottom and the radio amp is in the way.

Moviela

The wiring should be there. A single rectangular connector, two antenna leads, and a couple of fiber optic cables.

The receiver needs to be the same flavor as your head unit. For a 2005 MY car it should be MOST. The fiber optics forms a ring with other options connected to your audio gateway. You must install the receiver in the proper place and order of the ring. The head unit will need to have a chat with a STAR computer to "version code" the head unit to recognize the Sirius receiver.

The factory calls for you to drill a 20mm hole in the center of the trunk lid. The cables from the wheel arch area finish under the trunk lid lining for the antenna connections.

For people that don't feel like a hole in the trunk lid, you can mount the antenna on the package shelf, or below the grill on the hood near the windshield. You are on your own to get antenna cables long enough. There are newer antennas that are a tad smaller and have only one cable. There is a Y cable to connect a single cable into the two jacks on the receiver. One jack is for signals from space, the other is for signals from ground repeaters.

The 05 receivers spent a lot of time finding the sat signal. You could drive miles before you heard a sound. Sirius promised help, but never delivered. Sirius accounting and telephone support is also a study in frustration. I turned off my receiver, and sling the signal from my home receiver to my EVO for free.

GINO-ESC

I have sirius in my audi and the ipod/aux in the benz. If you have a iphone or similar stream Pandora and forget the siruis pain in the @$$

91RS

Alright, good. I'm planning on using an aftermarket antenna because I don't want to drill a hole in my car and I wouldn't want the antenna on the trunk anyway. I've done Pandora and after a year of the paid service, I've heard all the songs on the channels I listened to and got very tired of it because it doesn't seem that they bring in any new songs.

Do you happen to know if 203 545 11 40 is the correct part number for the SDARS bracket? The only number I can find on herer is a B number that doesn't appear to be good any more.

91RS

Alright, I finally got my hands on the Sirius unit. I got a used one from an 07 E550 so it only has the one antenna connection. I think it was blue so I guess I need to find an aftermarket antenna that will work because I really don't want to drill holes in my trunk. I also need to order the bracket.

91RS

Alright, I had a little time last night to try and make sure the box works. I plugged it in to the SDARS 2 connector (and I had to slide the other 4 pin connector into that one) and I went into the MOST list and changed the next available slot to SDARS and restarted the ring and the radio still has no sat radio when I press the button. The other SDARS optical plug laying in the back I don't see anywhere to connect it to the module so I don't know if it's needed or not. Is there something else that needs to be coded elsewhere in STAR?

91RS

Well, I still haven't been able to find the info I'm looking for. I thought more people had done this considering the going price of used modules. WIS shows something about hooking up an optical line on the right side of the trans tunnel and I found the line but don't know where to hook it to.

glocati

I installed a sirius module in my wagon. D2B style but same principal. Mounted the unit, plugged the orange SDARS fiber plug, 12V wakeup and antenna. Once the install in the rear is complete, you have to tie it into the component loop up at the passenger side of the tranny tunnel. Pull the carpet down from the bottom of the side of the console itself and you will see the orange fiber junctions under there.

I couldn't quite figure out the final configuration on passenger side of the tranny but basically it had to be connected at that point to the fiber loop/daisy chain. one component must be looped to another and so-on. The dealer then has to use STAR to version code it to you car. I had the dealer make the connection in the tranny hump arrea, and version code with Star. After that point I then had a soft button under radio that now says SAT. It was blank prior to that. They charged ~$125 to do this work.

If you haven't seen it, check out this guys site:

http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsit...phone_info.htm

glocati

I also have a factory SDARS install PDF, from a 2005 MY. PM me if you want a copy. Thx Greg

91RS

Maybe I didn't look far enough up there then, I'll try and pull the carpet back again later today. I'm going to go ahead and order the bracket so I can go ahead and leave the module installed.

PM sent.

glocati

Email ya the install guide tonight.

91RS

Thanks!

91RS

I got the install PDF and it is exactly what I needed! I ordered my bracket a few days ago, but it only comes from Germany so I won't want it until Tuesday or Wednesday.

I do have one more question, what did you use for an antenna? Did you go aftermarket or did you use a factory antenna? The only aftermarket antenna I can find that uses the same blue connector is a GPS antenna, will that work?

glocati

I used the factory old style larger antenna. Did the roof mount on my wagon. Funny thing is i was going to use a stealth mag mount and as of right now am using it as the factory one died on me a few weeks ago. I used a terk splitter that just hooks to one lead on the unit.

Tell ya what, i will take some pics for you in the next day or so. I also ordered a new roof mount antenna and will take pics and write up a DIY as i re-do it.

91RS

My module came out of an 07 E550 so it only has the one blue connector for the antenna. I want to try to hide the magnetic mount antenna first because I really don't want to drill holes in my car. If it comes down to it, I'll probably want to mount it on the roof like the 07 C230 sedan I saw the other day.

samaritrey

Thought about putting it under the hood vent? That is where mine is great location and hidden

91RS

Where did you run the cable to get it outside the car?

samaritrey

From the fuse box inside the car one the driver side dash to the fuse box under the hood at the very bottom. Then there are rubber pieces that you may cut a hole in to seal around the wire. Then run it up with the wire/fluid hose for the washer nozzles. I can take a pick if you want.

91RS

Thats fine, I've seen a picture of an antenna installed there. I've never been under the left side of the dash so I didn't know what was under there. Im going to try sticking it to the underside of the package tray since that'll be real close to the module and if that doesn't work I'll hide it in the hood vent. I need to get time to move the antenna for my Trailblazer under the wiper cowl.

glocati

you need a FAKRA style connector on your mag mount. Looks like this.

91RS

Yeah, I've got an extra antenna that uses the same connector, but it is supposed to be a GPS antenna and that's all I see on eBay with the blue connector.

glocati

search for "sirius fakra mag mount" and a ton of them come up. Dont worry that they are not blue. They will work, just make sure it is a FAKRA/SMB type connector. Worst case is that the ear does not match up, and then you will have to shave the nub off. I talked with Steve at MBenzNL and he says he does that all the time on his custom installs. The GPS unit you have will not work.

BF_JC230

Thanks for all the help.
Installed SIRIUS last night (sans antenna...I'm working on a few "options"...although I have the OEM antenna...I am in the camp of NOT drilling thru and disrupting the visual of my trunk...)

Here are a few NOTES and pictures if it can help anyone...

Antenna frequency range of 2320.0-2332.5 MHz DARS for SiriusXM

@4:10 FIBER Connections

glocati

Hey Jake - Great work. glad you got it installed ! Enjoy, Greg

glocati

Hey Jake - great work. Glad you got it installed/hooked up. Greg