Some stereo upgrade q's- dash kit, harness etc

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Aug 24, 2015 | 04:05 PM
  #76  
Confirm the ground with a multimeter. Where did you take the switched power from? The stock unit doesn't have a switched 12V as it uses the canbus.
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Aug 24, 2015 | 04:35 PM
  #77  
so i have to tap 12v somewhere to get my unit powered on?
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Aug 24, 2015 | 08:15 PM
  #78  
Yes. Have a look through the write up i did for my C32 (it's the same) and also i might have mentioned it on page 1 of this thread. Link is in my signature.
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Aug 25, 2015 | 12:16 AM
  #79  
The vehicle wiring harness only includes a constant 12v circuit; it does not have a switched 12v circuit. Instead, the factory radio has a CAN bus interface that tells it to switch on and off with the ignition. The same goes for the illumination circuit - it's a digital signal from the CAN bus. When installing an aftermarket unit, there are two options. One, get an adapter that converts the CAN bus signals to hard wires for you (these are usually part of the CAN bus interface modules that allow the steering wheel buttons to work). The other option is to tap into the cigarette lighter for 12v switched, and the light in the ashtray for the radio illumination.
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Sep 11, 2015 | 08:39 AM
  #80  
Has anyone has any experience with installing something like this ?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/mercedes-...item4187dc7d39

Will this fit the 2005 on W209 with the dash face lift?
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Sep 12, 2015 | 03:36 PM
  #81  
I have no experience with that unit, but it is not for the "facelift" dash.
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Sep 14, 2015 | 02:51 PM
  #82  
Quote: Int he case of the Bose (or newer Harmon-Kardon) amp, you really have no choice to replace it, or at least bypass it. The inputs to those amps are fiber optic, which no aftermarket system will connect to. You could find a special analog-to-fiber adapter, but by the tim you pay for that, you could install your own very nice aftermarket amp.
I have read through this thread, and thought I might ask whether or not this could be the reason my subwhoofer isn't working.

An aftermarket touch screen was put into my car a couple years ago, (along with a voice control, usb port, satellite radio antenna, and phone speaker) and since it was put in my subwhoofer hasn't functioned at all. All the other speakers seem to be ok, just the subwhoofer. No sound comes out of it. I took the car back to the shop that put it in, and they seemed to think I needed another subwhoofer - although even at the time I sensed they didn't know exactly what was going on.

The instal was a surprise gift to me from an ex, so I didn't even know it was happening until after it was done, and while I do like the touchscreen, as an audiophile I really miss my amazing sound quality.

The subwhoofer was working perfectly until the aftermarket system was put in.

I was planning to get the whole thing replaced but if I don't have to that would be amazing...


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