VIM/Backup Cam Mid City
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From: Chicago, IL
ML350, Lotus Elise
here are some pics that show another way to hook up the camera wires. doing it this way eliminates the need for the extra rca cable. It involves running the provided 18 ft camera wire all the way forward to the center console. (e.g. run the wire forward so that the little metal box that comes with the camera sits behind the radio as well. you can then get power at the cigarette plug.
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
DOA
Nothing happens on the screen when in reverse but since 12V & ground is present where & when required, some sort of signal should be sent forward to bring up the reverse screen even if the camera was dead.
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Wrong 12V
here are some pics that show another way to hook up the camera wires. doing it this way eliminates the need for the extra rca cable. It involves running the provided 18 ft camera wire all the way forward to the center console. (e.g. run the wire forward so that the little metal box that comes with the camera sits behind the radio as well. you can then get power at the cigarette plug.
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From: Jet City, USA
'08 W204.081; M 272.948 KE30; Colour Code#792
If it was activated you should have at least gotten a black screen with the "Check Surroundings" blurb on the display. The power to the camera itself does not trigger any changes to the system.I'm not sure I would have done it this way had I known about it. But one thing that is brilliant about this setup is that you can set your COMAND to display via "aux video" instead of "reverse input." You could then freely turn on/off your camera display without having to put your car in [R]everse. Your camera could be displayed while driving!
Wouldn't that be an awesome "second rear view mirror?" 
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
DOA
<<Sounds like the programming hasn't been activated in COMAND yet. If it was activated you should have at least gotten a black screen with the "Check Surroundings" blurb on the display. The power to the camera itself does not trigger any changes to the system.>>
I have not only activated it using the steering wheel buttons, on and off several times, but have also gone to the onscreen menu which shows "camera on" and have turned it off and on from there. Still nothing when shifting into reverse.
So your feeling is that before commencing any step of the installation, simply activating the feature will result in a black screen anytime the lever is in the reverse position, then?
If it was activated you should have at least gotten a black screen with the "Check Surroundings" blurb on the display. The power to the camera itself does not trigger any changes to the system.>>I have not only activated it using the steering wheel buttons, on and off several times, but have also gone to the onscreen menu which shows "camera on" and have turned it off and on from there. Still nothing when shifting into reverse.
So your feeling is that before commencing any step of the installation, simply activating the feature will result in a black screen anytime the lever is in the reverse position, then?
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From: San Diego
2000 CLK430 Cab - sold; 2009 C350 White with Mocha P2,MM,18" AMG,Pano roof
May I ask which shop? I'm in San Diego. Did they provide the Midcity kit as well?
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From: San Diego
2000 CLK430 Cab - sold; 2009 C350 White with Mocha P2,MM,18" AMG,Pano roof
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From: Chicago, IL
ML350, Lotus Elise
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From: Chicago, IL
ML350, Lotus Elise
Sounds like the programming hasn't been activated in COMAND yet. If it was activated you should have at least gotten a black screen with the "Check Surroundings" blurb on the display. The power to the camera itself does not trigger any changes to the system.
I'm assuming that in this case the power to the camera would always be on when your car is on. Only when you put it in reverse would your MM screen flip to aux video (as programmed into the COMAND system)and display the signal. Am I right?
I'm not sure I would have done it this way had I known about it. But one thing that is brilliant about this setup is that you can set your COMAND to display via "aux video" instead of "reverse input." You could then freely turn on/off your camera display without having to put your car in [R]everse. Your camera could be displayed while driving! Wouldn't that be an awesome "second rear view mirror?"
If it was activated you should have at least gotten a black screen with the "Check Surroundings" blurb on the display. The power to the camera itself does not trigger any changes to the system.I'm assuming that in this case the power to the camera would always be on when your car is on. Only when you put it in reverse would your MM screen flip to aux video (as programmed into the COMAND system)and display the signal. Am I right?
I'm not sure I would have done it this way had I known about it. But one thing that is brilliant about this setup is that you can set your COMAND to display via "aux video" instead of "reverse input." You could then freely turn on/off your camera display without having to put your car in [R]everse. Your camera could be displayed while driving!
Wouldn't that be an awesome "second rear view mirror?" and yes even if the camera was not working you should still be seeing a blank screen with the caption "check surroundings" when you shift in reverse. if that is not happening then re-run programming (press send, end, and vol+ on the steering wheel all at the same time)
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 402
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From: Jet City, USA
'08 W204.081; M 272.948 KE30; Colour Code#792
I have not only activated it using the steering wheel buttons, on and off several times, but have also gone to the onscreen menu which shows "camera on" and have turned it off and on from there. Still nothing when shifting into reverse.
So your feeling is that before commencing any step of the installation, simply activating the feature will result in a black screen anytime the lever is in the reverse position, then?
So your feeling is that before commencing any step of the installation, simply activating the feature will result in a black screen anytime the lever is in the reverse position, then?
(above photo taken from theinmoe)
correct.. the the main reason to have the camera on all the time is to allow for on-demand usage. we have new firmware coming out soon that will allow you to select on-demand rear camera through the steering wheel controls so it changes in reverse as well as being selectable while in gear...
and yes even if the camera was not working you should still be seeing a blank screen with the caption "check surroundings" when you shift in reverse. if that is not happening then re-run programming (press send, end, and vol+ on the steering wheel all at the same time)
and yes even if the camera was not working you should still be seeing a blank screen with the caption "check surroundings" when you shift in reverse. if that is not happening then re-run programming (press send, end, and vol+ on the steering wheel all at the same time)
Last edited by Rick Hunter; Oct 14, 2008 at 11:57 PM.
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
No joy
<<So your feeling is that before commencing any step of the installation, simply activating the feature will result in a black screen anytime the lever is in the reverse position, then?>>
<<Yup.>>
Not only is it shown "installed and on" in the hidden menu, it is also shown now in the System menu on the screen which tells me that it is officially "on in R" but moving the lever to "R" has no effect.
It has to be something simple.
<<Yup.>>
Not only is it shown "installed and on" in the hidden menu, it is also shown now in the System menu on the screen which tells me that it is officially "on in R" but moving the lever to "R" has no effect.
It has to be something simple.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Chicago, IL
ML350, Lotus Elise
<<So your feeling is that before commencing any step of the installation, simply activating the feature will result in a black screen anytime the lever is in the reverse position, then?>>
<<Yup.>>
Not only is it shown "installed and on" in the hidden menu, it is also shown now in the System menu on the screen which tells me that it is officially "on in R" but moving the lever to "R" has no effect.
It has to be something simple.
<<Yup.>>
Not only is it shown "installed and on" in the hidden menu, it is also shown now in the System menu on the screen which tells me that it is officially "on in R" but moving the lever to "R" has no effect.
It has to be something simple.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 615
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From: Chicago, IL
ML350, Lotus Elise
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
RIZ signal source??
Here's a new thought. In the Engineering menu is a line designated 7.7 HU Parameters.
Scrolling to line 10, the line:
"RIZ Signal Source Reverse Gear" is grayed out.
Reviewing:
Activated by steering wheel buttons which activated "Diagnosis" and a restart.
Verified in the System menu "Camera installed."
In the engineering menu: "Rear view camera installed." (checked "ON".
There is an RIZ mentioned on another line but opening it led to nothing but I think that might be a clue.
There are a few reset possibilities but I'm not touching those without knowing what the result might be.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 615
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From: Chicago, IL
ML350, Lotus Elise
That box is checked.
Here's a new thought. In the Engineering menu is a line designated 7.7 HU Parameters.
Scrolling to line 10, the line:
"RIZ Signal Source Reverse Gear" is grayed out.
Reviewing:
Activated by steering wheel buttons which activated "Diagnosis" and a restart.
Verified in the System menu "Camera installed."
In the engineering menu: "Rear view camera installed." (checked "ON".
There is an RIZ mentioned on another line but opening it led to nothing but I think that might be a clue.
There are a few reset possibilities but I'm not touching those without knowing what the result might be.
Here's a new thought. In the Engineering menu is a line designated 7.7 HU Parameters.
Scrolling to line 10, the line:
"RIZ Signal Source Reverse Gear" is grayed out.
Reviewing:
Activated by steering wheel buttons which activated "Diagnosis" and a restart.
Verified in the System menu "Camera installed."
In the engineering menu: "Rear view camera installed." (checked "ON".
There is an RIZ mentioned on another line but opening it led to nothing but I think that might be a clue.
There are a few reset possibilities but I'm not touching those without knowing what the result might be.
lets verify this: on the engineering menu, you should have
3. rearview camera:installed
and also
5. video aux : off
also when you pressed the three buttons on the steering wheel (send,end,+) the screen should have read "diagnosis" for about a second, then the command restarts and the screen motorizes down and then up again...
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2008 C300 Sport
SAFETY CONCERN
I'm interested in the VIM unit and understands that the VIM module disables the speed sensors in 3 different areas to make the car think it is not moving. Just wondering if using the VIM will interfere with any safety features of the car, such as airbag, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Traction control, and other pre-collision safety features.
If the car's computer thinks it is not in motion, maybe some of these safety features will not be active when needed?
If the car's computer thinks it is not in motion, maybe some of these safety features will not be active when needed?
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2008 C300 Sport
I'm interested in the VIM unit and understands that the VIM module disables the speed sensors in 3 different areas to make the car think it is not moving. Just wondering if using the VIM will interfere with any safety features of the car, such as airbag, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Traction control, and other pre-collision safety features.
If the car's computer thinks it is not in motion, maybe some of these safety features will not be active when needed?
If the car's computer thinks it is not in motion, maybe some of these safety features will not be active when needed?
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From: Long Island, New York
2013 C300 Sport Black Darth V3.0
Now will all this going into the engineering menu and turning on this or that option allow me to buy a camera, adaptor cable and install it without any other hardware?
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
VIM DISABLES....?
I'm interested in the VIM unit and understands that the VIM module disables the speed sensors in 3 different areas to make the car think it is not moving. Just wondering if using the VIM will interfere with any safety features of the car, such as airbag, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Traction control, and other pre-collision safety features.
If the car's computer thinks it is not in motion, maybe some of these safety features will not be active when needed?
If the car's computer thinks it is not in motion, maybe some of these safety features will not be active when needed?
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Installing
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2008 C300 Sport
This information was posted by rob13572468 from MidCity Engineering. His quote "on the W204 the video disable is keyed into three things: GPS signal, gearshift position, and wheel speed sensor. all three have to register that the car is sitting still or the video output is disabled. on mercedes, all the information runs over the CAN network. other vehicles have hard wired signals on individual wires and a common hack was to install a switch that would disconnect those wires (e.g. parking brake and speed sense signal are still common on some lexus models) but with mercedes there is no easy way. What the VIM module is actually doing is taking all the data over the network and then selectively changing certain data parameters to make only the radio think that the vehicle is sitting still when in fact it is moving. At the same time it also has to disconnect the GPS antenna when you select vim mode and it has to do all this reliably. there is actually about 8000 lines of code involved in making all this happen."
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...t=#post3108207
So back to the same question: Does using the VIM module interfere with any of the safety features if the car computer thinks the car is not moving?
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...t=#post3108207
So back to the same question: Does using the VIM module interfere with any of the safety features if the car computer thinks the car is not moving?
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From: Vancouver, BC
08 C300
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2013 C300 Sport Black Darth V3.0
