DIY: Joyeauto Wireless CarPlay for NTG4.5/4.7
#26
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Thanks for all your help, there is no way I could have gotten this far without this write up. It's been a long day, I spent a couple of hours trying to get the HU back in. I finally unplugged the cables and re-routed them to the passenger foot well. That seemed to work, as I got the HU back in. Unfortunately, while all the speakers are working when I play music via a SD card in CarPlay mode only part of the speakers are working. I'm thinking the optical connection was damaged, as it doesn't seem to be locking in as before and comes out when I put the HU back in. It may have been damaged trying to get the HU to fit. I wrapped some tape around the connection to try and wedge the optical connection plug into the socket. I'm not sure it is working. I guess it's also possible the Joyeauto audio cable has come loose.
Is the optical connection used on all audio? If so then since it works on an SD card, it's not the optical connection.
Could the audio cable have come partially loose?
I'm hesitant about taking the HU back out, but I doubt these is a choice. Suggestions? Ideas? Joyeauto has not responded to my inquiries. It's interesting the Joyeauto website has tech support, but it's only accessible with a password. If this is truly tech support, they should probably give out the password to access this.
Is the optical connection used on all audio? If so then since it works on an SD card, it's not the optical connection.
Could the audio cable have come partially loose?
I'm hesitant about taking the HU back out, but I doubt these is a choice. Suggestions? Ideas? Joyeauto has not responded to my inquiries. It's interesting the Joyeauto website has tech support, but it's only accessible with a password. If this is truly tech support, they should probably give out the password to access this.
A partially fit audio cable could easily explain the issue, especially if its left vs right speakers (the signal is stereo L &R). Unfortunately, if that's the case then I think the first step is to verify that the Joyeauto audio cable is fully seated at both ends.
If the cable is fully seated then it's something else. Examples: bad audio cable, harness wiring problem, or the Joyeauto unit itself.
FWIW, the only email I had for Joyeauto was sales@joyeauto.com and they responded fairly quickly considering the time zone difference.
After I installed mine I also noticed an email for tech support: tec@joyeauto.com.
#27
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I am thoroughly confused. When the HU is out, everything (CarPlay and Bluetooth) works as it should. When I slide it in, one channel cuts out and the screen will sometimes cut out. I can pull the HU out and move it around to get the Carplay audio and screen to work again. The audio works as it should from the memory card, whether the HU is in or out. I thought it might be the fiber optic connection, as it doesn't seem to lock into the Joyeauto harness very well, but I don't think that would effect the screen. It seems like there may be a short in the Joyeauto wiring harness.
UPDATE - I may have figured it out. Tonight I was looking at the Joyeauto harness connector that connects to the HU. It looks like when the lever is locked, it has two different positions. When I lock it and then push further, it seems to lock again. This may be my issue. I will know more in the morning when I get more time with it.
UPDATE - I may have figured it out. Tonight I was looking at the Joyeauto harness connector that connects to the HU. It looks like when the lever is locked, it has two different positions. When I lock it and then push further, it seems to lock again. This may be my issue. I will know more in the morning when I get more time with it.
Last edited by Davery; 08-02-2019 at 10:29 PM.
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cadetdrivr (08-02-2019)
#28
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So I was able to get the HU back in and Carplay works as it should, but still have a couple of issues. First, there is no OEM rear camera in either CarPlay mode or OEM Mercedes mode. The screen goes blank when the car is shifted into reverse. Second, when in CarPlay mode I can't turn off the head unit. The screen dims, but is still on. Is this normal?
Joyeauto has been better at getting back to me and I have emailed them. Hopefully, we can figure this out.
Joyeauto has been better at getting back to me and I have emailed them. Hopefully, we can figure this out.
#29
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If you want a blank screen, turn it off when in MB Comand.
#30
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Check out this post for the rear camera connections on the HU:
https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-ele...ml#post7430340
https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-ele...ml#post7430340
#31
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I actually found that post a few days ago. My HU is a bit different. Everything appears the same, but there is an extra plug (BLUE) to the right of the rear camera plug. I do not know what it is for. Could this be the difference between a NTG 4.5 and a NTG 4.7?
I did remove these plugs while working on the installation, but I am pretty sure the rear camera was working yesterday before I got the HU fully re-installed. What appears to be the rear camera plug (GREEN PLUG) on the post you listed does not appear to fit in any other slot on my HU and this wire goes into the OEM wire loom. I guess it's possible this wire could have been damaged in the pushing and pulling to get the HU back in. I ran the HU diagnosis in the engineering mode, but there does not appear to be anything directly related to the rear camera. I also ran the History Information. There are a few items that appear, but the most common is "DTCc264 FBAS not connected". I did find a post, but no info.
https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...connected.html
After doing a bit of research, the FBAS appears to be something to do with video. I thought the rear camera fuse may be out and checked. According to the W212 list I have ( I could not find a A207 fuse list) this fuse (84) is supposed to be a 5A, but it is actually a 7.5A and is OK.
There were other codes that appeared on the diagnosis.
Would it do any harm to eventually do a system reset?
I was adjusting the DIP switches to see if I could get the rear camera working when this happened. I unplugged the Joyeauto interface to reset, but no change. I can not access the Comand system.
Suggestions?
I did remove these plugs while working on the installation, but I am pretty sure the rear camera was working yesterday before I got the HU fully re-installed. What appears to be the rear camera plug (GREEN PLUG) on the post you listed does not appear to fit in any other slot on my HU and this wire goes into the OEM wire loom. I guess it's possible this wire could have been damaged in the pushing and pulling to get the HU back in. I ran the HU diagnosis in the engineering mode, but there does not appear to be anything directly related to the rear camera. I also ran the History Information. There are a few items that appear, but the most common is "DTCc264 FBAS not connected". I did find a post, but no info.
https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...connected.html
After doing a bit of research, the FBAS appears to be something to do with video. I thought the rear camera fuse may be out and checked. According to the W212 list I have ( I could not find a A207 fuse list) this fuse (84) is supposed to be a 5A, but it is actually a 7.5A and is OK.
There were other codes that appeared on the diagnosis.
Would it do any harm to eventually do a system reset?
I was adjusting the DIP switches to see if I could get the rear camera working when this happened. I unplugged the Joyeauto interface to reset, but no change. I can not access the Comand system.
Suggestions?
Last edited by Davery; 08-04-2019 at 03:02 PM. Reason: clarity
#32
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I'm not sure I'm following, but if the Joyeauto unit is removed for a reset the video cables will have to be reconnected. The video signal path for Comand in this installation goes through the Joyeauto unit.
#33
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After working directly with tech support at Joyeauto the issue has been resolved. All the dip switches were turned off except for #8. Everything works as it should. I do have to say the support from Joyeauto has been outstanding. They have been available via email, text and video. Now I am having second thoughts about trying to add a front camera.
#34
After working directly with tech support at Joyeauto the issue has been resolved. All the dip switches were turned off except for #8. Everything works as it should. I do have to say the support from Joyeauto has been outstanding. They have been available via email, text and video. Now I am having second thoughts about trying to add a front camera.
Glad you got your issues resolved. That's why I chose to have my friend's shop deal with the installation headaches...
#35
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Did they ask you for your VIN when you ordered? That's how they confirmed and preset the dipswitches for me. When I opened the box, the first thing I did was verify the dip switch settings per the user guide. I had previously tried to use an iCartisan box, but I never saw the dip switch settings for that, though my installer swears it was set correctly. I always suspected something was off, which is why I made sure the Joyeauto dips were set correctly.
Glad you got your issues resolved. That's why I chose to have my friend's shop deal with the installation headaches...
Glad you got your issues resolved. That's why I chose to have my friend's shop deal with the installation headaches...
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Robxc80 (03-09-2020)
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pl626 (09-29-2019)
#38
Are any of you guys still having sound quality issues with music audio and phone calls with this product? How about connection issues with either wired or WiFi carplay?
Would you still recommend buying after your experience?
Thanks
Would you still recommend buying after your experience?
Thanks
#39
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I'd rate the phone call quality as worse than the standard MB bluetooth, but still completely usable. It's all relative, it's just that the stock MB system is pretty good. If you make occasional calls in the car it's a non-issue, if you are in sales and talk 5 hours a day in the car and you NEED CarPlay, then I'd suggest something else...like a 2016+ W212/W213 with CarPlay.
The connection issues have not changed since my initial writeup. Now and then there's some sort of "quirk" during the initial wireless pairing and it usually sorts itself out but it's absolutely not as seamless as an OEM CarPlay setup. I drive the E350 nearly exclusively and it works for me 100% of the time. We also have a X166 with the same Joyeauto unit and it works fine for my wife. The problems occur when we are both in the car and the "wrong" phone wirelessly pairs up. Switching the connected phone basically entails turning off the car, turning off the undesired phone, and then starting over. The wired connection avoids all this.
I'd buy it again, if only for the low cost and ease of installation. I don't currently know of a comparable wireless CarPlay option.
#40
I'm not what you mean by "still." There were never any significant issues with music audio, other that the consideration that it's using the analog AUX port on the NTG unit for audio.
I'd rate the phone call quality as worse than the standard MB bluetooth, but still completely usable. It's all relative, it's just that the stock MB system is pretty good. If you make occasional calls in the car it's a non-issue, if you are in sales and talk 5 hours a day in the car and you NEED CarPlay, then I'd suggest something else...like a 2016+ W212/W213 with CarPlay.
The connection issues have not changed since my initial writeup. Now and then there's some sort of "quirk" during the initial wireless pairing and it usually sorts itself out but it's absolutely not as seamless as an OEM CarPlay setup. I drive the E350 nearly exclusively and it works for me 100% of the time. We also have a X166 with the same Joyeauto unit and it works fine for my wife. The problems occur when we are both in the car and the "wrong" phone wirelessly pairs up. Switching the connected phone basically entails turning off the car, turning off the undesired phone, and then starting over. The wired connection avoids all this.
I'd buy it again, if only for the low cost and ease of installation. I don't currently know of a comparable wireless CarPlay option.
I'd rate the phone call quality as worse than the standard MB bluetooth, but still completely usable. It's all relative, it's just that the stock MB system is pretty good. If you make occasional calls in the car it's a non-issue, if you are in sales and talk 5 hours a day in the car and you NEED CarPlay, then I'd suggest something else...like a 2016+ W212/W213 with CarPlay.
The connection issues have not changed since my initial writeup. Now and then there's some sort of "quirk" during the initial wireless pairing and it usually sorts itself out but it's absolutely not as seamless as an OEM CarPlay setup. I drive the E350 nearly exclusively and it works for me 100% of the time. We also have a X166 with the same Joyeauto unit and it works fine for my wife. The problems occur when we are both in the car and the "wrong" phone wirelessly pairs up. Switching the connected phone basically entails turning off the car, turning off the undesired phone, and then starting over. The wired connection avoids all this.
I'd buy it again, if only for the low cost and ease of installation. I don't currently know of a comparable wireless CarPlay option.
#41
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I never had any sound quality issues. I don't use the phone via the HU often enough to comment on the quality. The connection issues are about the same as before. About 80-85% of the time my iphone connects as soon as the car starts. Every once in a while I need to go in a select the BT connection on my iphone. In the 3 weeks that I have had this installed there has also been 3-4 times where the wifi signal from the Joyeauto interface was not detected when I started the car. Once I selected it on my iphone everything was OK.
#42
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I just wanted to update that after a discussion with Joyeauto and playing with the unit that it's possible to use both the MB Bluetooth system and wireless CarPlay at the same time. Just make sure the phone is also paired to the car via bluetooth.
When the phone rings, instead of using the CarPlay screen to answer simply use the MB steering wheel button. When making a call, select MB Bluetooth on the phone screen under "Audio."
FWIW, I'm using iOS 13.1 public beta 2. I don't know if this "mixed" capability is available in iOS 12.
Using it in this way permits one to use the higher quality MB Bluetooth with its better mic and noise cancelling.
When the phone rings, instead of using the CarPlay screen to answer simply use the MB steering wheel button. When making a call, select MB Bluetooth on the phone screen under "Audio."
FWIW, I'm using iOS 13.1 public beta 2. I don't know if this "mixed" capability is available in iOS 12.
Using it in this way permits one to use the higher quality MB Bluetooth with its better mic and noise cancelling.
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Robxc80 (03-09-2020)
#43
I just wanted to update that after a discussion with Joyeauto and playing with the unit that it's possible to use both the MB Bluetooth system and wireless CarPlay at the same time. Just make sure the phone is also paired to the car via bluetooth.
When the phone rings, instead of using the CarPlay screen to answer simply use the MB steering wheel button. When making a call, select MB Bluetooth on the phone screen under "Audio."
FWIW, I'm using iOS 13.1 public beta 2. I don't know if this "mixed" capability is available in iOS 12.
Using it in this way permits one to use the higher quality MB Bluetooth with its better mic and noise cancelling.
When the phone rings, instead of using the CarPlay screen to answer simply use the MB steering wheel button. When making a call, select MB Bluetooth on the phone screen under "Audio."
FWIW, I'm using iOS 13.1 public beta 2. I don't know if this "mixed" capability is available in iOS 12.
Using it in this way permits one to use the higher quality MB Bluetooth with its better mic and noise cancelling.
Last edited by inittab; 09-05-2019 at 12:20 PM.
#44
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I suppose it's possible, but I'm not sure if the effort is worth the result. The real benefit of the MB Bluetooth setup is the hardware besides the mic itself.
Last edited by cadetdrivr; 09-05-2019 at 12:28 PM.
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achandab1 (08-06-2020)
#45
Cadetdrivr. Does your MB head unit continue to have power even when you take the key out of the ignition?
I noticed that the head unit would shut off, but I am able to push the power button to power it back on when the key is out. I have a feeling that the joyauto hardware also stays powered on in some sort of sleep mode. It comes on instantly when I turn the key.
I noticed that the head unit would shut off, but I am able to push the power button to power it back on when the key is out. I have a feeling that the joyauto hardware also stays powered on in some sort of sleep mode. It comes on instantly when I turn the key.
#46
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Cadetdrivr. Does your MB head unit continue to have power even when you take the key out of the ignition?
I noticed that the head unit would shut off, but I am able to push the power button to power it back on when the key is out. I have a feeling that the joyauto hardware also stays powered on in some sort of sleep mode. It comes on instantly when I turn the key.
I noticed that the head unit would shut off, but I am able to push the power button to power it back on when the key is out. I have a feeling that the joyauto hardware also stays powered on in some sort of sleep mode. It comes on instantly when I turn the key.
I don't know what power status the Joyeauto maintains when accessory power is actually off, but when it is off after the car has been sitting for a while, my phone does not see the Joyeauto unit as an available bluetooth connection.
#47
MB retains accessory power ON for some specific time period after the ignition is turned off and this would include power to both the MB Comand unit and the Joyeauto device.. Accessory power is also turned ON as soon as a door is opened (or perhaps even unlocked, I'm not sure) so it's ready to go when the car is started.
I don't know what power status the Joyeauto maintains when accessory power is actually off, but when it is off after the car has been sitting for a while, my phone does not see the Joyeauto unit as an available bluetooth connection.
I don't know what power status the Joyeauto maintains when accessory power is actually off, but when it is off after the car has been sitting for a while, my phone does not see the Joyeauto unit as an available bluetooth connection.
Now... I can take they key out of the ignition, open and close the door, lock the car, wait 30 minutes while sitting in the car, then press the power button and the HU would still come on.
#48
Instructions
- Comand knob not responsive in CarPlay (It will not "rotate" more than two icons in CarPlay): return to Comand, rotate the dial, then return to CarPlay. I have had this happen more than once--- I don't know if it's because I'm using the beta for iOS 13 but this always clears it up and it does not reoccur on the same trip.