another C55 AMG Thermatronic and VCS retrofit
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2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
Awesome!! The VCS parts are getting hard to find. Take the time to do the voice learning - it's well worth and the system will rarely make a mistake. Programming the nav destination is much better via VCS.
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2005 C55
since my car was built in 10/2004 I used A2038303385 from a CLK since I didnt need a unit with the rest button.....MB makes ROW units that have the rest button and all the North American units were from the CLK you just have to match production date with your car and the unit and they all should work
Last edited by greekspec2; Feb 25, 2013 at 11:15 PM.
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2005 C55 AMG
Thanks! Mine is also a 10/2004 build. I'm guessing other than opening up the center console, it was a plug and play installation? Do you need any special tools like you typically need for removing a head unit?
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2005 C55
A2038301985...original part# w/rest button C55
A2038303285.....superceeded part# w/rest button C55
A2038303385....North American w/o rest button CLK320-CLK55
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2005 C55
the cool thing about it is if you have all or some windows and sunroof open and you push for a sec the recirculation or cabin filter button it will close all the windows up
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2002 C32, 2012 S550
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’27 AMG SL55(ordered), ‘23 EQS 580 SUV, ‘19 AMG E53 Cpe, ‘48 Willys Jeepster
What is the p/n on your VCS? Mine is an older version i think and just does the radio and phone.
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2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
Unfortunately I didn't note it anywhere after I installed it. I sourced it from Steve at MBenzNL. The car is in storage for at least another month, so it will be awhile before I could get it to you.
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05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
I assume there is much more to the VCS than the little switch you added tot he steering wheel lol...is there a control module that plugs into the back of the headunit? and is STAR required to activate it? assuming its all plug and play of course
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05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
and this should be the part number for the updated VCS that controls NAV but no guarantees...A2038207585
I am assuming this because the older variant that just does radio and phone is $175 and the part number I provided is $880 lol...so I'm gonna go on a limb and say its a safe bet!
I am assuming this because the older variant that just does radio and phone is $175 and the part number I provided is $880 lol...so I'm gonna go on a limb and say its a safe bet!
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2005 C55
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2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
With regards to the climatronic unit... If the unit does not function when plugged in, press and hold the air recirc and front defrost button at the same time until the lights flash. This performs a reset and calibration, and the unit should work fine.
Last edited by kjb55; Mar 1, 2013 at 01:37 AM.
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2005 C55
kinda off subject fellas, at the moment I'm having 60mm front upper spring adapters being custom made for my C55 so I can run any rate and length spring on my coilovers,do you guys think this is something other C55 and CLK55 owners would be interested in since it would be a first of its kind
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05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
dont suppose you remember your install of the VCS at all. I just got it in the mail, plugged it in under the plastic cover behind the back seat now I'm trying to figure out what else is there to do. I got some half way insttructions from Steve NL but I got lost when he started talking about changing microphone arrays etc
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’27 AMG SL55(ordered), ‘23 EQS 580 SUV, ‘19 AMG E53 Cpe, ‘48 Willys Jeepster
I used the VCS section of this when I did mine as a reference. It's for a w211 E-class but the system is the same. As I recall there was only one way to connect each of the microphone connectors due to the keyed fittings.
I also vaguely recall having to remove the amplifer behind the wheel well in order to splice the VCS into the fiber loop, but I could be confusing the install with when I installed the BT phone.
W211 Phone and VCS install
I also vaguely recall having to remove the amplifer behind the wheel well in order to splice the VCS into the fiber loop, but I could be confusing the install with when I installed the BT phone.
W211 Phone and VCS install
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when you say splice what exactly do you mean? do you remember where you pulled the fiber optic cable from to plug into the VCS?
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05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
I dont have a fiber going into my phone unit as my phone unit is not hooked up completely, the box is back there next to where the VCS sits but again no fiber going into it, just a wire harness. There are several unconnected fiber cables, Im just trying to figure out which one needs to be plugged into the VCS "in" and where it needs to be connected to before going to the VCS...I Know an out fiber is supposed to go from VCS to the phone box, but again just not sure which one I should use. Lots of fibers with lots of labels. Even got a couple that are looped to their own self (as in not connected to anything at all)
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From: Phoenix AZ & Cayucos CA
’27 AMG SL55(ordered), ‘23 EQS 580 SUV, ‘19 AMG E53 Cpe, ‘48 Willys Jeepster
http://http://phdwebsite.powerpulse.cc/Phone%20Install%20Bulletins/2005%20E%20Sedan.pdf
The ring loop at the end doesn't look like what remember. I think that sequence is as shown on thread #23 here. This would explain my addled memory of having to remove the amplifier (sound system in the thread) from the wheel well to make the connection.
https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-ele...ctivation.html
I don't remember which was in and which was out on the VCS. It may not matter though. I suppose that they can be swapped by trial and error if need be.
Splicing was done with coupling connectors. I used one from the w211 kit and reused the other. They're a bit dodgy to get apart but just be careful. The w211 procedure shows how the couplings come apart.
