OEM Bluetooth Installation Complete

As I recall the SOUND and SOUND1 were tucked in behind the HK amp in the right side of the trunk. I had to remove the amplifier to find the connector on the bottom side of the amp. The instructions glossed over that bit.
As I recall the SOUND and SOUND1 were tucked in behind the HK amp in the right side of the trunk. I had to remove the amplifier to find the connector on the bottom side of the amp. The instructions glossed over that bit.

Things need to follow the loop in figure 45 for everything to function properly.
Last edited by lkfoster; Feb 1, 2011 at 04:27 PM. Reason: Added figure 45
mrobinso, I'm experiencing the exact same symptoms as you are. If you remove the passenger carpet, it will reveal more fiber connections along side the transmission tunnel just below the nav, just as described in the install bulletin. Following these instructions though did not result in the radio coming back on. I think maybe we need to have the nav coded with SDS. Any other ideas?
deeoh, do you have satellite radio and sound system, or something else? I have no satellite radio but I do have the sound system.
Interestingly, I needed to replace Slot 1 of the SOUND component with SOUND1, not Slot 2 as prescribed in the directions. Also, I did access the Transmission Tunnel (which was extremely easy) by simply pulling back the carpeting to the left of passenger side foot well. All I did was following the directions explicitly. In the transmission tunnel you need to find the little black rectangle fiber connector, make sure the connectors into the black rectangle are TEL OUT > HU/CDC IN, and you should be good to go!
Feel free to PM me if you need assistance.
Deeoh, don't forget to connect the microphone array as well. The directions are in the .pdf. I forgot to do this the first time around.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Found it in stock at a dealer in CT. $177.85
But better than nothing I guess.
Last edited by xxaarraa; Feb 2, 2011 at 02:44 PM.

Ok, thanks for the tip. Been working long hours this week, so it might have to wait 'till the weekend though. If I have any trouble, I'll send you a PM. I can't wait to finish this project!
So far I have noted the following:
1) Syncing: My phone syncs seamlessly with the bluetooth puck within seconds of entering the car. Very happy with the this aspect.
2) Sound quality from speakers: I can hear the person on the other end of the line quite well. Sometimes I need to turn up the volume a good deal to hear.
3) Receiving Calls: Works perfectly. Automatically mutes the radio/CD/or AUX Input (iPod connection) when a call is incoming. Easy to use the "Answer" button on the steering wheel or radio to accept.
4) Functionality of Steering Wheel Buttons/Information Display (screen in between speedometer and tachometer): I notice that the steering wheel buttons need to be pushed down a little harder than the volume/scroll controls. This is probably due to the fact that no one has ever used the telephone steering wheel controls previously, but is worth noting. I also noticed that the Information Display lags behind the radio screen, particularly when scrolling through contacts.
5) Microphone quality/how you sound to the person you are talking to: This is the only fault I have found with the OEM bluetooth (and it is quite a big fault). The microphone array is too sensitive for it own good! When I am sitting at a stop light, driving at low speeds, or driving on a freshly paved road, the person I am talking to has no problems hearing me at all. However, as soon as you hop on the highway, an old road with lots of bumps and potholes, or if its raining/icing, or if you have the turn signal on, the microphone picks this all up and makes it very difficult for the person on the other line to hear you. For example, I commute up and down I-66 every day, and when I am trying to speak to someone while driving on 66 (which is an older highway with lots of filled in divets and potholes) I can't hold a conversation on the bluetooth! My guess would be that when Mercedes built the car in 2006, the "ambient noise dampening" technology that is commonplace in all bluetooth phone receivers today was not employed in the microphone array.
Has anyone run into this same problem with the microphone sensitivity or even better, has anyone found a work around? Perhaps putting a small piece of foam over the microphone vent to dampen ambient noise?
Thoughts are appreciated.
So far I have noted the following:
1) Syncing: My phone syncs seamlessly with the bluetooth puck within seconds of entering the car. Very happy with the this aspect.
2) Sound quality from speakers: I can hear the person on the other end of the line quite well. Sometimes I need to turn up the volume a good deal to hear.
3) Receiving Calls: Works perfectly. Automatically mutes the radio/CD/or AUX Input (iPod connection) when a call is incoming. Easy to use the "Answer" button on the steering wheel or radio to accept.
4) Functionality of Steering Wheel Buttons/Information Display (screen in between speedometer and tachometer): I notice that the steering wheel buttons need to be pushed down a little harder than the volume/scroll controls. This is probably due to the fact that no one has ever used the telephone steering wheel controls previously, but is worth noting. I also noticed that the Information Display lags behind the radio screen, particularly when scrolling through contacts.
5) Microphone quality/how you sound to the person you are talking to: This is the only fault I have found with the OEM bluetooth (and it is quite a big fault). The microphone array is too sensitive for it own good! When I am sitting at a stop light, driving at low speeds, or driving on a freshly paved road, the person I am talking to has no problems hearing me at all. However, as soon as you hop on the highway, an old road with lots of bumps and potholes, or if its raining/icing, or if you have the turn signal on, the microphone picks this all up and makes it very difficult for the person on the other line to hear you. For example, I commute up and down I-66 every day, and when I am trying to speak to someone while driving on 66 (which is an older highway with lots of filled in divets and potholes) I can't hold a conversation on the bluetooth! My guess would be that when Mercedes built the car in 2006, the "ambient noise dampening" technology that is commonplace in all bluetooth phone receivers today was not employed in the microphone array.
Has anyone run into this same problem with the microphone sensitivity or even better, has anyone found a work around? Perhaps putting a small piece of foam over the microphone vent to dampen ambient noise?
Thoughts are appreciated.
This is fantastic input. Thanks. Here are two ideas that may help:
1. In my previous car, a common mod was to relocate the microphone. Is there potential in the C55 to relocate the mic array or add a secondary mic? A lot of times, just placing the mic in a different location improves pickup even without advanced noise cancellation.
2. Replace with an updated mic from a later model year. Are there newer part numbers from the latest Mercs that may be a direct fit?
1. In my previous car, a common mod was to relocate the microphone. Is there potential in the C55 to relocate the mic array or add a secondary mic? A lot of times, just placing the mic in a different location improves pickup even without advanced noise cancellation.
2. Replace with an updated mic from a later model year. Are there newer part numbers from the latest Mercs that may be a direct fit?
. The mic in all likelihood is probably hardwired to the cabling.
. The mic in all likelihood is probably hardwired to the cabling.https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-question.html
Based on the below-linked thread, it doesn't even sound like Mercedes has fixed this problem with the 2009 C350. That doesn't seem promising...
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...bluetooth.html
And yet another thread (mainly from 2005-2006 e-class owners)
https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...ng-issues.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...oth+microphone
"Is is possible to adjust the fixed volume levels? Audio gain adjustments- to be used when customers complain about the volume level on the non car side being too loud or quiet. These adjustments do not have any effect on the processing of the audio."
"Yes it is possible to adjust the fixed volume levels by using the key sequences below. 0000#1* SEND- reduces the volume out of the car by one step (non car side or landline) 0000#10 SEND- standard volume level 0000#1# SEND- raises the volume out of the car by one step (non car side or landline) 0000#99 SEND- factory reset The settings made / adjusted by that procedure will be peramanently stored in the cradle adaptor for each phone type specifficly. Changes made while e.g a Motorola V3 Razr is connected will adjust for ALL Motorola V3 Razr phones."
Enjoy!
deeoh, do you have satellite radio and sound system, or something else? I have no satellite radio but I do have the sound system.
Interestingly, I needed to replace Slot 1 of the SOUND component with SOUND1, not Slot 2 as prescribed in the directions. Also, I did access the Transmission Tunnel (which was extremely easy) by simply pulling back the carpeting to the left of passenger side foot well. All I did was following the directions explicitly. In the transmission tunnel you need to find the little black rectangle fiber connector, make sure the connectors into the black rectangle are TEL OUT > HU/CDC IN, and you should be good to go!
Feel free to PM me if you need assistance.
i have a clk 350 2006 with HK sound system and no satellite radio. I am trying to install the bluetooth MHI in the trunk. I am following the instructions from the pdf (MODEL 209.365/375/376 MODEL YEAR 2005 CELLULAR TELEPHONE INSTALLATION). I am stuck a figure 19 (Remove the fiber labeled “SOUND” from slot 2 (B, Figure 19) of the MOST connector and insert the fiber labeled “SOUND 2” in its place).
I have located the cables sound, sound 1 and sound 2. however I am having trouble removing the sound cable from the MOST connector. it is stuck in there? Should I just pull hard it until it comes out from its place. Do I need a tool?
Also according to other experiences it seems that replacing Slot 1 of the SOUND component with SOUND1, not Slot 2 as prescribed in the directions is the working layout.
At the end, the sound cable should be removed from slot 1 or 2? which one of the cable sound 1 or sound 2 should be plugged in the freed slot.
thanks for any input
Enjoy!

i have a clk 350 2006 with HK sound system and no satellite radio. I am trying to install the bluetooth MHI in the trunk. I am following the instructions from the pdf (MODEL 209.365/375/376 MODEL YEAR 2005 CELLULAR TELEPHONE INSTALLATION). I am stuck a figure 19 (Remove the fiber labeled “SOUND” from slot 2 (B, Figure 19) of the MOST connector and insert the fiber labeled “SOUND 2” in its place).
I have located the cables sound, sound 1 and sound 2. however I am having trouble removing the sound cable from the MOST connector. it is stuck in there? Should I just pull hard it until it comes out from its place. Do I need a tool?
Also according to other experiences it seems that replacing Slot 1 of the SOUND component with SOUND1, not Slot 2 as prescribed in the directions is the working layout.
At the end, the sound cable should be removed from slot 1 or 2? which one of the cable sound 1 or sound 2 should be plugged in the freed slot.
thanks for any input
deeoh, do you have satellite radio and sound system, or something else? I have no satellite radio but I do have the sound system.
Interestingly, I needed to replace Slot 1 of the SOUND component with SOUND1, not Slot 2 as prescribed in the directions. Also, I did access the Transmission Tunnel (which was extremely easy) by simply pulling back the carpeting to the left of passenger side foot well. All I did was following the directions explicitly. In the transmission tunnel you need to find the little black rectangle fiber connector, make sure the connectors into the black rectangle are TEL OUT > HU/CDC IN, and you should be good to go!
Feel free to PM me if you need assistance.
-David





