aibkaresz

I don't have the box yet, thought that I will try to go ahead a bit and yesterday evening I have set the AUX as indicated on the video, but did not try it. Today when I started the car there was no sound at all, no aux, no radio, not even the guidance from the built in navigation. I ended up resetting the head unit in the normal user interface, not in the engineering mode, and it solved half of the problem, got the audio back for the radio and everything, except AUX.

When I got home I had some time to play with it, so what I have found is that if audio AUX is ON, the head unit is trying to connect to the 3,5mm jack which is usually on the side of the glovebox, but in my W204 it's not installed, I have the MMI connector on the top of the glovebox. After switching and restarting back and forth I figured, that UCI should be turned on for the MMI port (https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-c...ml#post4996430), but it was greyed out. What I did is switched OFF the audio AUX and it was selectable, so I set it to installed as on the picture, and bamm, sound is back as it was before. Just for clarity, I still choose AUX from the audio, even if it's disabled, I guess UCI switches it on automatically.

I am not sure how the box is wired and can't test it yet, but it might be a step forward of understanding, that AUX might be the 3,5mm jack, UCI is the MMI.

Maybe it would worth a try for you if you set AUX to ON, external amp and everything as on the video, and see what happens (S550e did the setting and his MMI port does not make a difference if it's plugged in or not). If I'm right, the MMI port should be disabled if the AUX is ON. Oh and please note, that I am just guessing and testing, not a pro

deeoh

@aibkaresz Thanks for the suggestions! I'll give it a try. Also, keep us all posted on your findings, since we both have W204's. The odd thing about fooling around with the engineering settings is: I've lost sat radio. User error? Maybe it's just a coincidence? Probably not related? Who knows?

1 gripe I do have is: boot time is extremely slow, compared to my Joyeauto unit. Once my other car wakes, up it pairs up immediately. This one? Not so much. But once connected, it works pretty well.

aibkaresz

Check the TGW Parameter -> DAB, set it to installed if it’s not. As I understand turning MOST OFF resets these settings 🤷‍♂️.

For sure, I will also keep you guys posted, can’t wait to get my box. I’m still trying to figure out what does 7” and +7” means with the dip switches. Since you had an issue I might try it straight with +7

S550e

Interesting... my wireless CarPlay connects instantly upon starting the vehicle. The wait time is almost nonexistent.

Keep us updated on the AUX... I think @aibkaresz has it fairly understood.

S550e

If this helps, this is what happened in my install...

Prior to my installation, I did NOT mess with any aux settings in engineering mode. I did ocasioanlly use the MMI to Aux jack for iPod music. It worked fine.

When I buttoned everything back up and tested for sound, I got nothing. I suspected it was because I did not plug the Aux cord coming from the CP unit to the MMI jack. That's why I went to Guitar Center and picked up the adapter so I could connect the two.

After purchasing the adapter, I plugged in the Aux cord and still got no sound.

It was at that point that I went into engineering mode to turn Audio AUX to ON (with the other engineering mode steps of course). Then the sound came right on, I thought it was the MMI to AUX jack and adapter working because it was still plugged in at that time.

A day later, messing around, I unplugged the MMI to Aux cords and still had sound playing through the cabin. I thought I was losing it. I think @aibkaresz is right, my MMI port is now inoperative and it is operating from the 'Internal AUX'

So I thought it was interesting when you mentioned that you had sound working with the MMI to AUX, and no sound upon unplugging.

Hope this helps

deeoh

Key word here is "starting". I'll double check this, as there's a green glowing light inside the box when it wakes up.

deeoh

This should help ^^

deeoh

Update: Everything's working great now, once I reset the radio in the command UI, not in engineering mode. I unplugged the MMI cable entirely and still have sound! Thanks to both @S550e amd @aibkaresz !

deeoh

Yes I did activate as per the Unichip video. I'll button up later once I figure out the sat radio issue. Things start out so smooth too. Oh well...

S550e

Nice! Glad you could get it working.

S550e

Plugged in MMI to my iPhone for fun to see if anything would play. No sound so the MMI port is inoperative!

How to lower navigation announcements and alerts in Waze:


Open the Waze app on your phone and click on the settings gear in the top left corner (iPhone)

Hit 'Voice & sound'

Scroll down to volume. I found for me it works pretty well at 30-40. Done




One thing I do not understand about the Waze app is that your music level automatically lowers upon opening the app for the first time. I am not sure if it is physically lowering on the MB speaker volume or it is doing it through the CP interface with Waze or something... It makes everything very loud when you raise the volume. Apple Maps does not do this.

On real CarPlay units installed from factory, you control the volume while the 'lady' is speaking. It will not mess with your music volume. I tried that but it lowers all volume.

I still haven't figured out how to lower the volume in Apple Maps. It is very loud. I already have it set to 'Low Volume' can't imagine how loud it is on the other settings.




May need to disable nav announcements from Apple Maps for now... please chime in if you know the fix.

deeoh

@@S550e I got a chance to download that PDF. Man, where's was that sheet when I was installing this? Krem can't even include it in the box? Jeez...

S550e

I know right!! It's already hard enough to get a hold of Michael... he barely responds/checks his WhatsApp.

I have been able to get some limited responses through email @ michael@kremersino.com

Hope you have resolved your SAT Radio issue! Wish I could help with that but I have no idea

deeoh

Yep, I'll work on that SAT problem tomorrow. I don't think it's related to the installation, because it was working after I installed it. And I didn't disassemble anything once installed. Possibly some changes in the engineering menu? Sometimes when it works, don't fix it! On a similar topic, in some cases, upgrading the firmware has a negative result as well. Tread carefully!

Regarding the Krem unit, all I got was a little flash card in the box, wtf?!? This was my 4th installation (all different brands), so each one's had it's share of quirks, but they're all basically the same plug-n-play boxes. That PDF would've saved me a lot of grief though, lol.

Hardware/software wise, yes they're all different. The problem I keep hearing/reading over & over is the customer service, and this goes for ALL brands. Whether it's a language barrier, time zone difference (+15 hours), customer service is not a priority. But I knew this going in.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone, just know what to expect before tackling this project. But for the novice/experienced person out there, this page should help get them through the troubleshooting part at least, without contacting the manufacturer. I'm surprised Michael is still doing customer service lol. In any case, I'll try my best to assist others who are interested installing this AA/CP box. One of the best upgrades I've done for my daily. Off my soapbox now.

aibkaresz

thanks! Also I think the AUX cable from the 48PIN harness is to get sound into the box, not out of the box it really seems that way now, you can just plug your phone in and play wired, but why would anyone do that with wireless and usb capability?

I hope DAB setting to installed solves your issue, keep us updated please!

Also do you have a pic of your microphone installed? This is an exciting place for it! Still balancing between ‘nah I won’t install it’ and ‘if I take it apart, it takes an other 3 minutes’

I hope everything will be fine with iOS14 also!

deeoh

Correct, that's why the box needs a Wi-Fi connection to your phone at at times. The mic is clipped to the upper harness between the vents. Siri works great too. Re: DAB, will do.

S550e

Yes, it is something in engineering mode. But like you said, once it works, it's a nail bitter to go back in and try to fix it! I never used/paid for my SAT radio.

Yes haha just a little flash card in the box, sorry I couldn't get it to you sooner.

Yes I kind of expected it going into this. That's why these forums are great. Thanks for your words and input, I didn't realize how much experience you have with these types of boxes. Glad we could figure this stuff out. Hopefully it helps convince more people to buy it that were on the fence out purchasing and installing themselves.

deeoh

Update on the SAT radio problem: Success! I must've changed the RTTIS settings in engineering mode inadvertently. It sure beats having to tear apart the dash again (not fun). I knew it was a engineering settings problem, because the SAT radio worked after I installed the Krem box. So, without a COMAND engineering manual, you are 'flying by the seat of your pants.' Ask me how I know.

S550e

Nice work!!

deeoh

Thanks! Hey @S550e , did you have a chance to install iOS14 yet? You can now change the wallpaper in CarPlay. Just go to the settings menu in CarPlay to make changes. There's more choices besides white/black. Maybe even customize your own? Hmm...

S550e

No I haven’t updated yet. I usually wait until 14.1 or 14.2 when they have worked out all the post-release bugs. But, great to know! I’m due for an upgrade soon anyways so I might not even bother.

deeoh

Yeah, I get it no problem. iOS14.0 1st release is like a beta for the masses lol. I'll upgrade again when they get rid of the notch.

aibkaresz

Today I have received my box! I will install it this weekend, already running 14.0.1, I am looking forward to it!

deeoh

Yay! Good luck and post up your comments, questions, etc

aibkaresz

So I could not wait till the weekend and did it in the dark garage haha.

Everything went pretty smooth, mainly because of all the posts here, thanks to @S550e , @cadetdrivr and @deeoh !

First I started with pulling everything apart, that was pretty easy and quick, made a picking tool for the vents from a hanger, and otherwise all you need is a T20 and a T10 in my case for the MMI (if you have one).

I almost gave up a couple of times, because I could not see clearly in the dark garage and told myself: "nah, I will wait till the weekend, just put it back together".

And suddenly I got this view:


From here there was no return!

The cabling is pretty straight forward based on the video, I have also used an other one where they are installing an Android screen for a W204.

I have to say that things were easy and flawless until the head unit is out. It is DEFINITELY the worst part of this job, to get the head unit back. I stuck the LVDS box and the harness behind the AC unit and somehow it is back flush, but I'm still not sure if the original cables and the harness getting a strong push downwards as the HU is sitting on it and might break them. I am thinking about checking on it when I have time, or the less touch the better?

So HU is back, glovebox still out, pushed the MMI connector into the glovebox, removed it's housing with the two T10, and there is a pretty big hole on the top of the glovebox, easy to fit in all the cables. I wanted to be smart and reroute the MMI cable (and all the Carplay cables) below the AC pipe, what goes to the glovebox, but soon I understood why it was that way: otherwise the glovebox does not fit back to it's place .

Right now my glovebox is a mess of cables, I have to arrange them, but did not have the nerves after installing it, I was happy to get everything back in place.

Turned on the radio, I have sound, that's a good sign, screen is flipping out, woohoo, time to long push the call ending button! The Carplay screen came on for a second, then it all went black, no worries, we know what to do, change the dip switch! Solved the problem perfectly! Paired the phone and bamm, there is the Carplay in my 10 years old Merc, could not believe it! Tried the sound quickly, there was none, so no worries again, we know what to do, entered engineering menu (did not exactly do as it was shown), turned off UCI in TGW Parameter, that turns off the MMI port and lets me enable AUX in HU Parameter, so the car thinks that a normal 3,5mm jack is installed (I guess the box is wired that way), and bamm, there was sound, everything worked as it should!

Ah almost forgot, clipped the microphone on the vent harness as advised, tried Siri once, it works perfectly! Much easier place to have the microphone, installed in no time, no need to tuck the wires etc!

Well that's where I am now, the installation took a bit more than 2 hours. In the next couple of days I will test it, but so far after a short drive I must say it is perfect, worth every penny! What I will keep an eye on now is the battery life with the navigation and the constant connection.

I really hope that this post is not a mess, tried to go step by step and type my experiences. All in one: BIG BIG thank you for @S550e , @cadetdrivr and @deeoh , you guys ROCK!

EDIT: I knew I will forget something... Regarding the connection time, my experience so far is that it depends when you unlock the car. I guess the box starts to boot up, and connects to your phone while you get it. In the garage it's pretty hard to get it, the other car is close so it takes more time, by the time I start the car Carplay is on the screen immediately. The other time I got in quicker and I saw the activating Carplay screen for about 2 seconds. Either way I would say it's an immediate connection