Make mp3 (ipod) input for stock Headunit for under $20
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Clk320
Make mp3 (ipod) input for stock Headunit for under $20
I recently had to pull out my radio so I made a radio tool using scissors and a grinder instead of buying the keys. (trial and error your on your own with this part or just buy the radio keys.)
PIC 1
Doing so I had an idea to to create an input for my mp3 players and psp.
I tried a modulator and quickly realized that they suck (I have owned a few).
I know that the tape drive adapters work well in the car but hate the unsightly wire sticking out of the headunit so I did this.... (Excuse the cell phone photo quality)
First insert tape without wire making sure tape deck door closes (if you bought one without the detachable wire then pull wire through after popping the top-
PIC 2
No need to remove any screws just pry metal top cover up off tabs with knife-
PIC 3
Exposes this part of the radio-
PIC 4
Wire end that goes into tape (plug in now)-
PIC 5
Work wire around to right hand corner of radio and snap the metal top cover back on as not to sever wire (you will see the place that is seemingly provided for the wire)-
PIC 6
Run the wire back behind radio and replace radio you can run the wire where you choose I chose to go under the shifter then up into the arm rest. If you do it my way you will find the wire too short so you will need to visit radio shack for a 3.5 mm jack extension (They have black or cream colored in both styles of extenders). Good for people who may wanna match them to their interiors).
Get Female to male extender if you want it to plug your tape wire into the mp3 device.
Get female to female if you want to plug mp3 device into the wire via double sided head phone jack (male to male 3.5mm jack) in effect, making your own input like the command systems have. This way you can fabricate an input into the glove compartment or into the dash.
I will go into detail if necessary I hope I explained this clearly enough. now all you have to do is press the tape button to transform your useless tapedeck into a spankin new mp3 input.
PIC 1
Doing so I had an idea to to create an input for my mp3 players and psp.
I tried a modulator and quickly realized that they suck (I have owned a few).
I know that the tape drive adapters work well in the car but hate the unsightly wire sticking out of the headunit so I did this.... (Excuse the cell phone photo quality)
First insert tape without wire making sure tape deck door closes (if you bought one without the detachable wire then pull wire through after popping the top-
PIC 2
No need to remove any screws just pry metal top cover up off tabs with knife-
PIC 3
Exposes this part of the radio-
PIC 4
Wire end that goes into tape (plug in now)-
PIC 5
Work wire around to right hand corner of radio and snap the metal top cover back on as not to sever wire (you will see the place that is seemingly provided for the wire)-
PIC 6
Run the wire back behind radio and replace radio you can run the wire where you choose I chose to go under the shifter then up into the arm rest. If you do it my way you will find the wire too short so you will need to visit radio shack for a 3.5 mm jack extension (They have black or cream colored in both styles of extenders). Good for people who may wanna match them to their interiors).
Get Female to male extender if you want it to plug your tape wire into the mp3 device.
Get female to female if you want to plug mp3 device into the wire via double sided head phone jack (male to male 3.5mm jack) in effect, making your own input like the command systems have. This way you can fabricate an input into the glove compartment or into the dash.
I will go into detail if necessary I hope I explained this clearly enough. now all you have to do is press the tape button to transform your useless tapedeck into a spankin new mp3 input.
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
Last edited by ClkE20; 05-26-2006 at 01:34 PM.
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#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
everytime i see new post of home baked solution, i get my hopes up thinking
that it's something I can use myself. alas, I have Audio 10...which doesn't
have a tape player as part of its features. good cobble though - glad it
worked for you.
that it's something I can use myself. alas, I have Audio 10...which doesn't
have a tape player as part of its features. good cobble though - glad it
worked for you.
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2011 ML350 & 2011 SL550
Great idea ClkE20! I wondered about using the useless tape player for this, but never had the rocks to take it all apart - figured I'd screw something up...
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Clk320
Messing around with it today it sounds great and looks clean I am thinking of drilling a hole (
) to make an input jack rather than just having the wire sit in the armrest glove box. Will post more pics if I can get the courage up
![EEK!](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif)
![Scared](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/scared.gif)
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally Posted by ClkE20
Messing around with it today it sounds great and looks clean I am thinking of drilling a hole (
) to make an input jack rather than just having the wire sit in the armrest glove box. Will post more pics if I can get the courage up ![Scared](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/scared.gif)
![EEK!](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif)
![Scared](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/scared.gif)
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#14
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2011 ML350 & 2011 SL550
Originally Posted by ClkE20
I know that the tape drive adapters work well in the car...
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2000 CLK 320
my Ipod set
Pic 1: here's my Ipod setup, might help others who need ideas
Pic 2: night shot
Pic 3: and finally, make sure you don't leave your Ipod in plain sight when leaving the car
Pic 2: night shot
Pic 3: and finally, make sure you don't leave your Ipod in plain sight when leaving the car