Fiber optic line severed... help!!
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Fiber optic line severed... help!!
Newbie here,
My 05 E320 was recently a victim. Some jack-*** forced into the trunk (by cutting through the metal behind the rear seat!!) and jacked the DVD Nav drive. I was told about 1500 dollars to fix, just from a service adviser who took a quick look at it, I can live with that as long as my stereo, command unit and all of the other electrical items on the chain work again.
So I made an appt. at my local MB dealer. It was then when they discovered the worst part. They told me that the fiber optic cable was cut by the thieves and that there was no way to repair fiber optic lines. I figured at least they could add a new connector or something. To replace the system with the new wiring harness all the navi components, it will be about 2400 in parts and a ga-(you dont even want to know)-jillion service hours to thread the cable through the car. Doesnt this seem like overkill? Are they trying to stick me?
Have any of you been through something similar, to do with the fiber optics in particular? I can live without nav, if there was some way to bypass the damaged area, just as long as the command unit works.
HELP?!
Oh and no unfortunately insurance is out of the question.
My 05 E320 was recently a victim. Some jack-*** forced into the trunk (by cutting through the metal behind the rear seat!!) and jacked the DVD Nav drive. I was told about 1500 dollars to fix, just from a service adviser who took a quick look at it, I can live with that as long as my stereo, command unit and all of the other electrical items on the chain work again.
So I made an appt. at my local MB dealer. It was then when they discovered the worst part. They told me that the fiber optic cable was cut by the thieves and that there was no way to repair fiber optic lines. I figured at least they could add a new connector or something. To replace the system with the new wiring harness all the navi components, it will be about 2400 in parts and a ga-(you dont even want to know)-jillion service hours to thread the cable through the car. Doesnt this seem like overkill? Are they trying to stick me?
Have any of you been through something similar, to do with the fiber optics in particular? I can live without nav, if there was some way to bypass the damaged area, just as long as the command unit works.
HELP?!
Oh and no unfortunately insurance is out of the question.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,497
Likes: 335
From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Newbie here,
My 05 E320 was recently a victim. Some jack-*** forced into the trunk (by cutting through the metal behind the rear seat!!) and jacked the DVD Nav drive. I was told about 1500 dollars to fix, just from a service adviser who took a quick look at it, I can live with that as long as my stereo, command unit and all of the other electrical items on the chain work again.
So I made an appt. at my local MB dealer. It was then when they discovered the worst part. They told me that the fiber optic cable was cut by the thieves and that there was no way to repair fiber optic lines. I figured at least they could add a new connector or something. To replace the system with the new wiring harness all the navi components, it will be about 2400 in parts and a ga-(you dont even want to know)-jillion service hours to thread the cable through the car. Doesnt this seem like overkill? Are they trying to stick me?
Have any of you been through something similar, to do with the fiber optics in particular? I can live without nav, if there was some way to bypass the damaged area, just as long as the command unit works.
HELP?!
Oh and no unfortunately insurance is out of the question.
My 05 E320 was recently a victim. Some jack-*** forced into the trunk (by cutting through the metal behind the rear seat!!) and jacked the DVD Nav drive. I was told about 1500 dollars to fix, just from a service adviser who took a quick look at it, I can live with that as long as my stereo, command unit and all of the other electrical items on the chain work again.
So I made an appt. at my local MB dealer. It was then when they discovered the worst part. They told me that the fiber optic cable was cut by the thieves and that there was no way to repair fiber optic lines. I figured at least they could add a new connector or something. To replace the system with the new wiring harness all the navi components, it will be about 2400 in parts and a ga-(you dont even want to know)-jillion service hours to thread the cable through the car. Doesnt this seem like overkill? Are they trying to stick me?
Have any of you been through something similar, to do with the fiber optics in particular? I can live without nav, if there was some way to bypass the damaged area, just as long as the command unit works.
HELP?!
Oh and no unfortunately insurance is out of the question.
Anyway, I don't think the fibre cables can be fixed, you would need quite specific tools for that, including cutting the fibre and the mechanical tools. But you should not need a full wiring harness if only the fibre cables were cut. Just have to search for the closest connector at the other end of the broken fibre. The cable may not be available as a spare part, I would ask one of the retrofit experts, like Steve, they would be able to figure out the simplest way forward.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
The fiber optic is a continuous strain of glass. Once cut it can't be repaired. It must be replaced. Hopefully the dealer can replace it and $5000 might be a bargin. Hold the insurance to the repairs. It will be costly. If unable to repair I would go for totaling 
the car.
the car.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 487
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina, US
'06 E500, '99 ML430 and '07 SL65
The SA saying that the optic cable cannot be repaired is not correct. It is done all the time on cables running in the ground when an unaware contractor digs them over and also in computer networks when you splice connectors.
It takes time, special equipment and specialized knowledge. I doubt that the dealer has the latter two available but the bottom line is that it can be done.
It takes time, special equipment and specialized knowledge. I doubt that the dealer has the latter two available but the bottom line is that it can be done.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Yeah, the Telephone company guys constantly do fibre optic repairs on the roadside, even in the freezing winter! Try to locate a Phone Company Guy.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Jul 17, 2007 at 12:53 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,326
Likes: 0
From: 38° 52′ 51″ N || 94° 48′ 11″ W
'01 C320 || '14 Honda Pilot EX-L
Unfortunately you will probably have to pay the dealer to do this unless you know a cable TV or phone guy to help you out on the cheap.
Sorry that this happened to you and good luck with your repairs.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,497
Likes: 335
From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
You who say fibre can be repaired, I certainly agree for data cables but the connectors are different, even if you would cut the fibre with the telephone company tools, you would not have compatible mechanics to the end of the cable, would you? Must be 1000 times simpler to find an MB part with a sufficiently long fibre (could be longer than required) and take only the fibre and put it in. Some work here too, depending on where the fibre ends in the car.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 625
Likes: 82
From: Germantown, MD
'07 GL450
I'm sure there's an MB part number for the cable in question. Get the number from your service department, or have them order it.
Stringing it through the guts of the car could be a nice DIY project.
There are those on this forum who have installed complete OEM NAV kits.. including COMAND HU and NAV drive so, clearly, it's doable.
GL.
Stringing it through the guts of the car could be a nice DIY project.
There are those on this forum who have installed complete OEM NAV kits.. including COMAND HU and NAV drive so, clearly, it's doable.
GL.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,642
Likes: 13
From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
I'm sure there's an MB part number for the cable in question. Get the number from your service department, or have them order it.
Stringing it through the guts of the car could be a nice DIY project.
There are those on this forum who have installed complete OEM NAV kits.. including COMAND HU and NAV drive so, clearly, it's doable.
GL.
Stringing it through the guts of the car could be a nice DIY project.
There are those on this forum who have installed complete OEM NAV kits.. including COMAND HU and NAV drive so, clearly, it's doable.
GL.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
It was the First North American MB Dealer. They are now celebrating 50 years, meaning they probably charge the most. Mercedes Benz of Portland aka Rasmussen Mercedes.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
ohh and the worst part of all of this, the airmatic controls do not work and the car is stuck in comfort! I race BMW touring cars and am an avid fan. I love the feel of the road, which I get in Sport mode. This is my first Benz, which I love, but it now rides like a Cadillac. My girlfriend complains of getting car sick. :-)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
handle such fixes, as they are more likely trained for remove and replace. but
from a technical perspective, it will require someone who is familiar with FO
repair.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
At least call these guys. Its a start. (I figured you are near Portland OR)
http://www.timbercon.com/Fiber-Optic-Repair/index.html
http://www.timbercon.com/Fiber-Optic-Repair/index.html
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
1997 E320 (silver/black)
Find a telecommunications cable installer-
most of them can work with fiber today. Ff you can get the fiber spec, the way to fix is to put a connector on each of the ends at the break and couple in a short patch cord with mating connectors. Hopefully the additional signal loss will not be too great. I'd look at that a opposed to replacing the cable which is probably very tough to do.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 723
Likes: 32
From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
This can done very much cheaper by FO tech in the computer or cable field. Besides, MB tech are parts replacer at best. They are not equipped to do this job for you, BELIEVE ME. Even if you let the dealer do it, your car will be there for a long time since they have to experiment it!
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
At least call these guys. Its a start. (I figured you are near Portland OR)
http://www.timbercon.com/Fiber-Optic-Repair/index.html
http://www.timbercon.com/Fiber-Optic-Repair/index.html
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 606
Likes: 4
From: Bellevue, WA
.... nothing to brag about, it is a previous model....
Newbie here,
My 05 E320 was recently a victim. Some jack-*** forced into the trunk (by cutting through the metal behind the rear seat!!) and jacked the DVD Nav drive. I was told about 1500 dollars to fix, just from a service adviser who took a quick look at it, I can live with that as long as my stereo, command unit and all of the other electrical items on the chain work again.
My 05 E320 was recently a victim. Some jack-*** forced into the trunk (by cutting through the metal behind the rear seat!!) and jacked the DVD Nav drive. I was told about 1500 dollars to fix, just from a service adviser who took a quick look at it, I can live with that as long as my stereo, command unit and all of the other electrical items on the chain work again.
1. Apparently this thief know you got a GPS drive in there? ( I don't think there is appearance differeces between GPS-equipped and Non-GPS model)
2. It will take way too much time to cut through the rear seat, let along, know how to carefully remove the drive from its bracket. ( this thief own W211, quite familiar w/ the schematic of metal cable?)
3. If this thief's intension is to make a quick money, why spare your command?
Watch out your so-called "friends"?
Last edited by no_clue; Jul 17, 2007 at 05:18 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 724
Likes: 50
From: Vancouver Canada
S213 2020 E450 4Matic CDN Spec 07/19 build
ohh and the worst part of all of this, the airmatic controls do not work and the car is stuck in comfort! I race BMW touring cars and am an avid fan. I love the feel of the road, which I get in Sport mode. This is my first Benz, which I love, but it now rides like a Cadillac. My girlfriend complains of getting car sick. :-)
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Does anyone know what the fiber optic cables look like? What is its texture? Does it bend easily? Is there one or two?
I am looking at everything and it looks as though the only things cut are the basic electric cables. There is one cable that is slightly larger that still has a fitting on the end that plugs right into the dvd unit? Is that the optic one? If so it is not damaged at all... Or is it the two, yellow and orange?
Thanks guys,
James
I am looking at everything and it looks as though the only things cut are the basic electric cables. There is one cable that is slightly larger that still has a fitting on the end that plugs right into the dvd unit? Is that the optic one? If so it is not damaged at all... Or is it the two, yellow and orange?
Thanks guys,
James
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
okay so nevermind... the yellow and orange are the optics and they are in deed cut. Heres to hoping.
Now, does anyone know a part number for/have a picture of the connector that goes into the dvd nav unit from the optic cables (orange and yellow). If I can get the connector that goes into the nav I can have someone fix them here locally.
OR... better yet, any idea where the next junction is down from the DVD drive? Maybe it is just a short distance.
Also I have the needed connector for the regular electrical wires I just need to wire them, any idea of the order or location needed for each wire?
THANKS!
Now, does anyone know a part number for/have a picture of the connector that goes into the dvd nav unit from the optic cables (orange and yellow). If I can get the connector that goes into the nav I can have someone fix them here locally.
OR... better yet, any idea where the next junction is down from the DVD drive? Maybe it is just a short distance.
Also I have the needed connector for the regular electrical wires I just need to wire them, any idea of the order or location needed for each wire?
THANKS!
