Royce118

Epic fail...

rob13572468

Actually on all the newer platform vehicles, mercedes uses a current monitoring system. Basically the total supply current is monitored for all vehicle modules and checked against reference values. If you tap in a large current consumer like an amp anywhere besides the battery the vehicle systems tend to stay active rather than shutdown like they should ~2 min after turning off the ignition. The battery basically gets run down to about 10 volts and then the car goes into emergency cutoff mode. Only the cigarette lighter and supply sockets are not monitored in the same way (although they also shut off about 6 hours after ignition off...

Long story short, run the power cable to the battery on these newer models...


Oh and i agree that its much easier to just get the speaker outs at the radio... (unless you have the amp in the back in which case you can get them there...)

vic viper

Must be some pretty hefty amplifiers if this would happen to you, I have installed several aftermarket amps in both 204 and the 212 model, have always utilized the rear SAM module power feed and have not yet experienced any voltage cutoff problems.

AntsE63S

Just got my sub.. Now just have to install. Could i tap into the speaker on my top deck behind my rear seats?? Im going to attempt it tomorrow with a test light. IF soo that will be alot easier then doing the door panals.. Will keep u updated

AntsE63S

Just finished installing my sub. I ran power from the fuse box in the back of the car. I spliced into the wire that leads to the fuse box. I also tapped into the stock sub that is in the top deck. Everything sounds great. Is was easier than doing everything on this DIY. i would suggest doing this instead of the other way. My car sounds really good now

koojo

How big is the wire going to the fuse box? I can't imagine it's big enough to power the amp, especially the one that you said you were going to get from ebay. What size amp? Usually those amps require at least a 4-8 gauge wire.

AntsE63S

The wire that runs to the fuse box is 0 gauge. I spliced into it with an 8 gauge power line. And as for the sub and amp I got the MTX Terminator sub and amp. Really good for bass. And I also hooked it up so my stock sub gets more bass just like the MTX.

TRDRunner

Ants, what color was the deck sub wire set that your hooked into? I see more then one speaker up on the deck of my HK system.. I assume a couple are surround speakers and the center is the factory "sub" ?

08SEA300

Is there an amp on the Audio 20 system or no? I'm trying to keep all my wiring in the trunk if I can help it. But if not, I'll pull out the head unit.

Thanks in advance!

TRDRunner

I found the factory sub under the rear deck and took left & right line level output right from the leads. My infinity sub is working well with only wire being gain control up front. For power i went direct to battery, ground was beside factory fuse assembly truck passenger side.

Sorry for the poor pic it was off my phone

08SEA300

Thanks for the assistance!
I'm trying to run my re-Q to the best possible source. I may just take the headunit out fwiw. I want to do it right the first time around. Shouldn't be too hard to run RCA's to the rear, I'm hoping.

Hzkasbarian

is that bazooka sub woofer a good one??

08SEA300

Major props to this DIY! Helped me get my car wired up correctly the first time! Bump for a great set of pictures and guidance

300yoz

Great write up thank you very much.. Did about the same thing for mine the only difference is I used a line level converter and disable the stock sub in the rear deck. The rear sub is a dual voice coil sub so I used each coil for a line.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_142LOC8...evel+converter

S 204

I have already intalled the Harman/Kardon speakers in the doors, and wanted to install the Logic 7 system, but that will be very expensive and difficult to do. So no I have desired to:

Install a Focal Bus 20 active sub in the rear trunk in my S204. I have the battery in the rear trunk, what will be the best to do:
Power from battery or from sam module?

And where will be the best place to pick up power for the remote cable:

Is there any connections from the Command to use?
Or do I have to use power from the lighter?

mwrightc1983

Just installed two 10" subs and amp. Pulled power from Sam module with installation of power distribution block. Works perfect. High level inputs to RCA converter taken from rear speaker. Remote wire taken from cigarette lighter in glove box. One week no issues, except my car massages me now.

S 204

Thanks for answere.
I have installed my Focal Sub, and I used a hi to low converter with remote control signal. Since I have a diesel car, I have the battery in the trunk, and just pulled power from the battery.
It works very well I think, with an increased sound performance.

M-bENZ

Do you have any pics of how you tapped the power wire to the fuse box ? Im planning to do the same thing like u did to my CLK but im just not sure that i have the rear SAM module like your have. Also, where did you connect your control wire ?

Andy

natedawgg

300yoz,

I am about t install a sub amp and sub box tomorrow and I was wondering if you or anyone else out there who's gone before me remembers if it was difficult to remove the factory HK sub from the rear deck and if the + & - cables are clearly marked? From the pic TRDRunner posted the left side has two different colors and the right side looks to have the same color for both.

Nate

bendow

Nate, what sub and amp are you installing? I'm getting ready to do the same thing you are and have the same question about the +/- on the HK sub. Do you plan to just disable the HK sub?

I'm going to use Audiocontrols new LC2i instead of a standard LOC, I've heard great things about it.

I was talking with a guy on Caraudio.com who installed a sub in his C300. He said he wasn't happy with the output so he cut holes in the metal behind the rear seats, which made a big difference...according to him. Here's what he wrote:

"I didn't cut plates in the rear deck, but moreover make "ski" holes in the plate of steel behind the rear seats. several circular holes with a hole saw and a large squared off hole where the armrest flips down for skis. The black plastic shroud behind the fold-down armrest pops right off so you can get access to it.
As far as obtaining a signal for amplifiers goes, I used an OEM integration unit. Of course it keeps absolutely every steering control, phone, etc useful. Which I HIGHLY recommend using way over a LOC."

kendricksoares

sweet thread man ima try to hook up my system tomorow, this looks like it can come in handy

quazi78

This is a great guide, especially the part about the power wire through the firewall. Many thanks to you sir. My C300 has some much needed boom now. :-)

lovew204

Is there any problem when you disconnect the battery from system? When you reconnect the battery everything are normal? Any error appear?
Because some guys said should never disconnect the battery on Mercedes, when you reconnect it the engine won't start and many error appear on dash....

Nico Martino

I have a c300 aswell and i use to have two orion subs but they did not put out good sound (installed incorrectly) but now i am thinking about re installing them but i am nervous that they might not put out good sound because the trunk is so well padded. does anyone know what i should do? i am nervous i will go spend money and i will not get the sound i want

AkaSigFreak

You will not have an issue as long as you don't underpower the subs.I installed the Infinity Basslink (10"w/200 watt amp) and the bass passes into the passenger compartment with ease. My previous car had 2 12" JL's and then 2 12" MB Quart Premium subs so I was accustomed to heavy bass output. If I am happy with the 1 10", you should be more than pleased.