HK Audio Gateway retrofit question (plus Qs about handsfree/BT)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 99
Likes: 2
From: edmonton
2002 Acura TL-S and 2005 E320 4MATIC
HK Audio Gateway retrofit question (plus Qs about handsfree/BT)
Hello everyone,
First of all I want to commend you on your DIYs and all of the information on this fantastic generation of Mercedes vehicle.
I have a question that I feel previous posters haven't really asked.
Is it possible to retrofit the HK Audio Gatway into non-HK vehicles?
I have an 05 E320 4MATIC that seems to have the logic7 system (i haven't checked for the sub yet), and I do not have the 'sound' softkey on my COMAND.
Is it possible to simply drop in an HK AGW and have this option? Or must I add the missing speakers. Only the sub is missing, though, right?
Additionally, I want to add bluetooth handsfree to the vehicle, I am curious if I have all of the parts necessary to install in the carrier plate:
A2208271842 - radio booster
A2118204385 - UHI module
A2115456740 - linear compensator bracket+module (bt module i assume)
A2115406433 - MOST cable without Voice control (i understand it does not work with NAV)
A2038201311 - surface mount
does this cover everything? the most cable without voice is already in the carrier plate, right? or do i have to buy it?
same goes for retrofitting an HK amp: does it need a different MOST cable? I hope not!
thanks for your help.
First of all I want to commend you on your DIYs and all of the information on this fantastic generation of Mercedes vehicle.
I have a question that I feel previous posters haven't really asked.
Is it possible to retrofit the HK Audio Gatway into non-HK vehicles?
I have an 05 E320 4MATIC that seems to have the logic7 system (i haven't checked for the sub yet), and I do not have the 'sound' softkey on my COMAND.
Is it possible to simply drop in an HK AGW and have this option? Or must I add the missing speakers. Only the sub is missing, though, right?
Additionally, I want to add bluetooth handsfree to the vehicle, I am curious if I have all of the parts necessary to install in the carrier plate:
A2208271842 - radio booster
A2118204385 - UHI module
A2115456740 - linear compensator bracket+module (bt module i assume)
A2115406433 - MOST cable without Voice control (i understand it does not work with NAV)
A2038201311 - surface mount
does this cover everything? the most cable without voice is already in the carrier plate, right? or do i have to buy it?
same goes for retrofitting an HK amp: does it need a different MOST cable? I hope not!
thanks for your help.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Two 2005 E320 CDI, 2004 E500 Wagon, 2007 ML63 4MATIC
I added the bluetooth phone the my 05 e320CDI. Attached is a MB installation procedure I found on one of the forums. Your vehicle should be prewired. Installation of the antenna components is not needed as modern phones will not use them. The hands free worked without coding and displays in the head unit. Audio quality is very clear. Note that the bluetooth only works for calls, not audio streaming. As noted in the installation procedure, you need to update the vehicle settings to have call information show in the cluster. I also installed the linguistic module but it did not work. The fiber optic connections are fairly easy to install and modify. I needed to purchase a small extension from eBay. Make sure you have the fiber in/out connections correct or the system will not function. With the exception of the cradle, I purchased everything on eBay. The false door shown in the document is no longer available. My 320 has the logic 7 system so not sure about the retrofit. I do know that if you have it, there should be more speakers in the vehicle. Good luck with your install.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 99
Likes: 2
From: edmonton
2002 Acura TL-S and 2005 E320 4MATIC
Hi Rocky,
what do you mean the antenna components are not needed? are you saying the linear compensator and/or the antenna splitter(s) are not required?
I do have the walkthrough for installing all the components, i just figured the antenna splitter/compenstator were required.
surely i still need the splitters? just not the linear compensator?
thanks
what do you mean the antenna components are not needed? are you saying the linear compensator and/or the antenna splitter(s) are not required?
I do have the walkthrough for installing all the components, i just figured the antenna splitter/compenstator were required.
surely i still need the splitters? just not the linear compensator?
thanks
Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Two 2005 E320 CDI, 2004 E500 Wagon, 2007 ML63 4MATIC
The antenna feeds the cradle interface in the console. If you are using a modern cell phone there will be no way to connect to it without an adapter. I left the current connection to the tele-aid module and didn't add any of the additional splitter/antenna amplifier components. The Bluetooth puck does not use the antenna feed. You need to install the MHI module shown in Fig 5 of the document. That's what talks to the Bluetooth puck
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
2005 E320CDI
Hi, I actually retrofitted the full HK system into my 2005 E320 CDI. First off, you can just swap the audio gateway and it actually all works even if you change nothing else. I did that first just to see what happens and I didn't notice much of a difference in sound quality though (maybe a bit worse actually). In order to do the full conversion you need the rear deck unit (subwoofer + two more speakers on each side), the antenna with I think its like a dynamic range microphone mounted on the rear driver side pillar, and all the speakers (center dash, one midbass and one tweeter in each door, and two kickpanel speakers under by front dash/floor). The rear deck unit and dynamic range unit are the only things that have extra wiring, one plug for the subwoofer wiring, one for the dynamic range unit (these two plugs do not have a spot on the non-HK gateway to plug into), and the two speakers on either side of the subwoofer have I think four wires that need to be put into empty slots on the stock non-HK gatway main speaker harness plug. The HK speakers are actually a lot beefier looking (way bigger magnets) than the non-HK ones. No wiring has to be run from the doors, front, etc, everything is done by disassembling the trunk paneling and rear parcel shelf. Immediately upon installing the gateway you get the sound option on the COMAND unit.
As far as bluetooth I don't know if the MB bluetooth puck is a great idea as they're pretty old now. Maybe look into getting one of those LaPower units people were talking about on the forum, I was thinking of getting one myself.
As far as bluetooth I don't know if the MB bluetooth puck is a great idea as they're pretty old now. Maybe look into getting one of those LaPower units people were talking about on the forum, I was thinking of getting one myself.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 99
Likes: 2
From: edmonton
2002 Acura TL-S and 2005 E320 4MATIC
hi,
just curious: does anyone know if the rear shelf wiring harness is present on non HK vehicles?
same goes for the wiring of the antenna amplifier in the rear driver side pillar.
edit: another question i have is if i need to upgrade the fuse after adding the subwoofer/rear shelf. not sure if the added draw of the HK speakers plus sub would trip the current fuse.
just curious: does anyone know if the rear shelf wiring harness is present on non HK vehicles?
same goes for the wiring of the antenna amplifier in the rear driver side pillar.
edit: another question i have is if i need to upgrade the fuse after adding the subwoofer/rear shelf. not sure if the added draw of the HK speakers plus sub would trip the current fuse.
Last edited by Broly; Nov 16, 2019 at 07:16 PM. Reason: q about fuse
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
2005 E320CDI
Neither the subwoofer unit nor dynamic range microphone wiring harnesses were present on the non-HK cars. The harness clips into the plastic housing of the subwoofer and then runs down to the top driver side back seat bolster area and then into the trunk all the way to the gateway unit. I do not think the fuse needs to be upgraded.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 99
Likes: 2
From: edmonton
2002 Acura TL-S and 2005 E320 4MATIC
Neither the subwoofer unit nor dynamic range microphone wiring harnesses were present on the non-HK cars. The harness clips into the plastic housing of the subwoofer and then runs down to the top driver side back seat bolster area and then into the trunk all the way to the gateway unit. I do not think the fuse needs to be upgraded.
i think it will be a long while before canadian junk yards get W211s. i did see one in calgary as i perused the go-to websites, but i bet it has already been picked down.
not as many of these cars up here as there are down there.
just to give you guys an idea of how far MB goes before salvaging cars: the Biggest Lemon Of Them All (1st gen ML320) is still on the road up here.
we had one brand new and it is the most unreliable car we have ever owned.
my mother doesn't even dignify it by calling it a mercedes or ML. she simply calls it "the lemon" and we all know which car she is referring to.
it was terrible. yet people are still somehow driving them up here. imagine how much money has been spent to keep that trash on the road...
Last edited by Broly; Nov 17, 2019 at 04:55 PM. Reason: just explaining to my american friends how different the attitude is re: salvaging MBs
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 99
Likes: 2
From: edmonton
2002 Acura TL-S and 2005 E320 4MATIC
finished up the speaker retrofit and just being patient in terms of the gameplan for the rear shelf + wire harness + antenna amplifier.
i wish tarts had his PMS enabled, we had a great exchange. i bet he got in trouble by someone for giving me TMI but either way thanks tarts i think the hardest part is done.
though i've heard others say getting the rear shelf out is a pain because of the clips underneath the headrest opening. we shall see (soon, hopefully)
i wish tarts had his PMS enabled, we had a great exchange. i bet he got in trouble by someone for giving me TMI but either way thanks tarts i think the hardest part is done.
though i've heard others say getting the rear shelf out is a pain because of the clips underneath the headrest opening. we shall see (soon, hopefully)
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
2005 E320CDI
finished up the speaker retrofit and just being patient in terms of the gameplan for the rear shelf + wire harness + antenna amplifier.
i wish tarts had his PMS enabled, we had a great exchange. i bet he got in trouble by someone for giving me TMI but either way thanks tarts i think the hardest part is done.
though i've heard others say getting the rear shelf out is a pain because of the clips underneath the headrest opening. we shall see (soon, hopefully)
i wish tarts had his PMS enabled, we had a great exchange. i bet he got in trouble by someone for giving me TMI but either way thanks tarts i think the hardest part is done.
though i've heard others say getting the rear shelf out is a pain because of the clips underneath the headrest opening. we shall see (soon, hopefully)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 99
Likes: 2
From: edmonton
2002 Acura TL-S and 2005 E320 4MATIC
just want to bump this thread.
you do NOT need the antenna amplifiers. i purchased them because tartilc is the only active person to share information about the retrofit.
after hunting for the rear shelf wiring harness and other parts, i realised that both the yellow and black cables going into the amplifier (HK or not) are from these antennas. so don't bother.
what is needed, however, are the wiring harnesses for the rear surround speakers and the subwoofer.
you do NOT need the antenna amplifiers. i purchased them because tartilc is the only active person to share information about the retrofit.
after hunting for the rear shelf wiring harness and other parts, i realised that both the yellow and black cables going into the amplifier (HK or not) are from these antennas. so don't bother.
what is needed, however, are the wiring harnesses for the rear surround speakers and the subwoofer.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 99
Likes: 2
From: edmonton
2002 Acura TL-S and 2005 E320 4MATIC
full retrofit (excluding mic, because i heard it sucks and also when i remove the headliner i may as well ponder PDC...) completed 20/01/2020.
the sub isn't SUPER powerful as some others pointed out, however it is quite cool hearing the surround effect from the rear shelf. i wonder if the rear speakers are turned down deliberately, as the centre speaker (which is the same as the rear speakers in the parcel shelf) is much louder.
lots of surround sound buffs (home audio) always said "it should be as if all the sound is coming from the front", so maybe that's what they were going for here. i know someone sitting in the back would feel the bass and hear enough from both the front and back to enjoy it.
anyways, i was incredibly surprised at how fragile the connectors are for the surround speakers in the shelf. i plugged in the connector and broke it by trying to unplug it. no matter, as i just converted the speakers to quick connects.
very happy i got the wiring done. now if i want to upgrade the rears a little, or play around with the setup, no more fiddling with the ****ing trunk. this amp seems it could power the rear much more than it does.
time to see how uncivilised some people got with their modifications to this amazing sound system, just to guide my future work.
the sub isn't SUPER powerful as some others pointed out, however it is quite cool hearing the surround effect from the rear shelf. i wonder if the rear speakers are turned down deliberately, as the centre speaker (which is the same as the rear speakers in the parcel shelf) is much louder.
lots of surround sound buffs (home audio) always said "it should be as if all the sound is coming from the front", so maybe that's what they were going for here. i know someone sitting in the back would feel the bass and hear enough from both the front and back to enjoy it.
anyways, i was incredibly surprised at how fragile the connectors are for the surround speakers in the shelf. i plugged in the connector and broke it by trying to unplug it. no matter, as i just converted the speakers to quick connects.
very happy i got the wiring done. now if i want to upgrade the rears a little, or play around with the setup, no more fiddling with the ****ing trunk. this amp seems it could power the rear much more than it does.
time to see how uncivilised some people got with their modifications to this amazing sound system, just to guide my future work.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
E320
So the MB service center installed a rebuilt audio gateway and I was good for about a week. Radio and command center worked fine then last night alarm was going off and battery was dead again. Anyone else been through this? 05 E 320 with battery drain supposedly due to audio gateway issue.
