Severed fiber optic cables
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Severed fiber optic cables
As I was installing a RF 360.2, I was trimming the black MB tape with wire crimpers and I slightly severed the fiber optic lines to the audio gateway. They are orange and yellow. Being that they are fiber optic, I might as well as cut through them completely as the result is the same.
I need to replace them and followed the line to the rear driver's side where there is an adapter that couples the fiber optic lines. I visited the dealer, gave them the VIN and took in the connecter from the audio gateway with the severed lines and the parts guy can't figure it out because it has no part # tag on it. Is this guy a moron (after speaking with him I don't doubt it) or does not know what he is doing?
He gave me the two adapters to connect the Fiber Optic cables but the cables must have a connector already on them in order to properly fit in the adapter to connect the lines. Since my cables are cut, they do not have the connecters to fit in the adapter. I just need fiber optic lines with the connectors already on them. Does anyone know the part # for just the fiber optic cables?
I need to replace them and followed the line to the rear driver's side where there is an adapter that couples the fiber optic lines. I visited the dealer, gave them the VIN and took in the connecter from the audio gateway with the severed lines and the parts guy can't figure it out because it has no part # tag on it. Is this guy a moron (after speaking with him I don't doubt it) or does not know what he is doing?
He gave me the two adapters to connect the Fiber Optic cables but the cables must have a connector already on them in order to properly fit in the adapter to connect the lines. Since my cables are cut, they do not have the connecters to fit in the adapter. I just need fiber optic lines with the connectors already on them. Does anyone know the part # for just the fiber optic cables?
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: London, GB
RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350
Couple of things - you can probably cut the fibers with a razor blade so the ends are as smooth as possible, and then use heat shrink tubing to join them as an emergency repair.
How long is the piece of fiber(s) you cut, connector to connector? It's a generic MB part used in most of the cars, just need to know how long to get you the right number.
I suspect the one you are looking for is A2114408406, MSRP $214.
How long is the piece of fiber(s) you cut, connector to connector? It's a generic MB part used in most of the cars, just need to know how long to get you the right number.
I suspect the one you are looking for is A2114408406, MSRP $214.
Last edited by UK-C200; Feb 8, 2011 at 06:23 PM.
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2007 E550 Sport / 2007 R500
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The only difference a new factory cable will make is that it will have a connector on it but it is still fused with the above connector. I would say the heat shrink actually will be a more solid fuse of the two cables.
Yes, it could have been very expensive, but luckily it wasn't.
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From: Birmingham, Michigan
04 C32 AMG (sadly sold), 05 CLK55 Cab, 08 R350 4Matic, 15 GLA250 (sadly bought), 75 VW Westfalia
Did save and it was an EASY fix while I am waiting to source a new cable. Cut both ends cleanly (a Cutco brand knife was excellent) because if you use a tool like a wire cutter it will squish the cable. Use multiple layers of heat shrink tube on top of one anotherto combine both ends tightly and firmly. Use Mercedes Benz fiber optic connector (about $12) over the heat shrink and it looks like a Mercedes Benz fiber optic cable was fused by the factory.
The only difference a new factory cable will make is that it will have a connector on it but it is still fused with the above connector. I would say the heat shrink actually will be a more solid fuse of the two cables.
Yes, it could have been very expensive, but luckily it wasn't.
The only difference a new factory cable will make is that it will have a connector on it but it is still fused with the above connector. I would say the heat shrink actually will be a more solid fuse of the two cables.
Yes, it could have been very expensive, but luckily it wasn't.
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1988 BMW 325is, 2007 Mercedes Benz E350 Wagon
Did save and it was an EASY fix while I am waiting to source a new cable. Cut both ends cleanly (a Cutco brand knife was excellent) because if you use a tool like a wire cutter it will squish the cable. Use multiple layers of heat shrink tube on top of one anotherto combine both ends tightly and firmly. Use Mercedes Benz fiber optic connector (about $12) over the heat shrink and it looks like a Mercedes Benz fiber optic cable was fused by the factory.
The only difference a new factory cable will make is that it will have a connector on it but it is still fused with the above connector. I would say the heat shrink actually will be a more solid fuse of the two cables.
Yes, it could have been very expensive, but luckily it wasn't.
The only difference a new factory cable will make is that it will have a connector on it but it is still fused with the above connector. I would say the heat shrink actually will be a more solid fuse of the two cables.
Yes, it could have been very expensive, but luckily it wasn't.
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 89
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From: Birmingham, Michigan
04 C32 AMG (sadly sold), 05 CLK55 Cab, 08 R350 4Matic, 15 GLA250 (sadly bought), 75 VW Westfalia
If, after having performed the 'fusion' described above, you get the signature 3 red pulses in one of the cable ends when you switch things on, does that necessarily mean that the fuse was successful? All this talk about polishing ends makes me wonder if the signal can be corrupted by an imperfect surface in either of the ends. It would surprise me given that the d2b plugs into the various units aren't exactly mil-spec tight.
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 9
From: Birmingham, Michigan
04 C32 AMG (sadly sold), 05 CLK55 Cab, 08 R350 4Matic, 15 GLA250 (sadly bought), 75 VW Westfalia
Just following up, the method described by gdogg worked just fine for me, used just one shink tube and wrapped the joint in electrical tape; I cut the ends of the cable with a razor blade, kind of sawing it off instead of pushing through to make sure I didn't distort the cable, and didn't do any polishing of the ends. Listening to my ipod through the Dension Lite, sounds great.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1988 BMW 325is, 2007 Mercedes Benz E350 Wagon
This is from MB technical overview of D2B from the following document: http://www.mercedestechstore.com/pdf...2003-09-04.pdf
"Disadvantages:
• Fragile
• Repairs not possible without special
equipment"
Polishing the ends is an important aspect of any fiber optic cable termination, if you want to limit data loss to the accepted industry parameters at a given point of time for that technologies' evolution. Other repairs may seem to remedy the situation in individual instances, but you may be having loss to data of which you might not be aware, or the repair may not last in the long run.
"Disadvantages:
• Fragile
• Repairs not possible without special
equipment"
Polishing the ends is an important aspect of any fiber optic cable termination, if you want to limit data loss to the accepted industry parameters at a given point of time for that technologies' evolution. Other repairs may seem to remedy the situation in individual instances, but you may be having loss to data of which you might not be aware, or the repair may not last in the long run.
Last edited by bosendorfer; Apr 22, 2012 at 12:05 AM. Reason: Took colon away after "pdf".
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From: Silver Spring, MD
ML320 (Dead), ML55 (Sold), E500 (Sold), Cayenne S (Sold), E550 (Sold), Cayenne TurboS, GL550, GLS580
There is a Chinese source on eBay that sells fiber cable. I purchased 3ft from the seller in order to install my dension unit in the trap door of the armrest (the cables they provided where too short for a clean install).
The price was less than $50us shipped and I do also recall seeing tons of sellers with cable by the foot when I searched. With more vehicles and other entertainment devices using fiber I'm sure the cost will continue to drop as more sellers become available.
The price was less than $50us shipped and I do also recall seeing tons of sellers with cable by the foot when I searched. With more vehicles and other entertainment devices using fiber I'm sure the cost will continue to drop as more sellers become available.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
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From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
This company makes wiring harnesses (copper and FO types).
http://www.aeromotive.us/
A friend of mine went to a trade show and told me about them -- I don't have any affiliation with them.
Regards,
paul...
http://www.aeromotive.us/
A friend of mine went to a trade show and told me about them -- I don't have any affiliation with them.
Regards,
paul...
