GL450 Mercedes-Benz ML GL 9" - 8.0 Oreo 4GB RAM Navigation System
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 10
2008 ML350
AvinUSA FM Radio reception ML GL w164
Hope this helps!
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 70
Likes: 4
2022 GLC 300
The antenna system on the ML/GL requires 12v to go to the rear antenna amp to get receptionon most FM and any AM stations. I spent a lot of time on this. I finally ran a 12v wire to the antenna power wire on the harness. It is supbose to power the antenna amp when the radion comes on. That did not happer for me. Once I wired it directly it worked GREAT and picked up stations I had never heard. It;s been a while so I don't remember the wire, but I searched a bit and found a video that mentioned the wire. If I can find it I will post. Running 12v to that antenna amp WILL solve your problem. you do NOT need to pull off the back hatch to check thing out, I did that and its a pain to get back on.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
Where was the wire located? Under the dash in that harness, or under the rear of the drivers seat, or under the rear seat?
On another issue, does your rear camera work and if so - what did you do to get the that to work? And - apparently an even bigger problem - the factory installed microphone? Did you get that to work.
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 5
From: Staten Island,NY
2009 GL550 ; 2005 Lexus LS430
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 10
2008 ML350
Ok. This is a link to the install info I used when putting my radio in, sorry its not a video but is very informative: https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w16...tallation.html
The wire for the antenna amp is in the dash on the wiring harness. I tried hooking the amp con wires together like the install said, but when I checked with an amp meter I was not sending 12v to the antenna amp. I used a jumper to hook the 12v power to the amp and all is well. It was a little trial and error but it will work!
As far a the mic, I just use the one on the radio face. It seems to work quite well and everyone can hear me clearly when on Bluetooth. I had the stock rear camera on my car. and it still works and rather well. Pay close attention to the install instructions and it should work. I used the stock GPS antenna and on the car and that worked great.
Overall, this is a great radio for the money. I put a verizon jetpack in the passenger rear side panel with a glass mount antenna to supply internet access to the radio and it works flawless. I had had issues constantly hooking to my cell phone and I wanted a cleaner solution.
Sorry I don't have more specific info as it has been a few months sine my install. But, if you hit a roadblock let me know and I will see if I can help.
The wire for the antenna amp is in the dash on the wiring harness. I tried hooking the amp con wires together like the install said, but when I checked with an amp meter I was not sending 12v to the antenna amp. I used a jumper to hook the 12v power to the amp and all is well. It was a little trial and error but it will work!
As far a the mic, I just use the one on the radio face. It seems to work quite well and everyone can hear me clearly when on Bluetooth. I had the stock rear camera on my car. and it still works and rather well. Pay close attention to the install instructions and it should work. I used the stock GPS antenna and on the car and that worked great.
Overall, this is a great radio for the money. I put a verizon jetpack in the passenger rear side panel with a glass mount antenna to supply internet access to the radio and it works flawless. I had had issues constantly hooking to my cell phone and I wanted a cleaner solution.
Sorry I don't have more specific info as it has been a few months sine my install. But, if you hit a roadblock let me know and I will see if I can help.
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 5
From: Staten Island,NY
2009 GL550 ; 2005 Lexus LS430
Thank you. I too am running into problems with my phones hotspot. Sometimes it takes a few minutes before the radio's wifi turns on and allows me to connect to the hotspot. I thought of getting a mobile wifi to always stay connected but, I don't want, or need that extra expense.
Last edited by rich30769; Jan 10, 2019 at 10:02 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 60
From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
So I am also looking into getting the avinusa 9" head unit. Few question for people who already have it...
1. What factory functions do you loose?
2. How do you set the clock in the cluster since the factory navi is removed?
3. Does the volume up/down works with the avinusa unit?
4. Does the channel up/down work with the avinusa unit?
thanks in advance
1. What factory functions do you loose?
2. How do you set the clock in the cluster since the factory navi is removed?
3. Does the volume up/down works with the avinusa unit?
4. Does the channel up/down work with the avinusa unit?
thanks in advance
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 63
Likes: 20
GL 550
You lose some functions in the dash like the Navigation / Direction.....and you wont get any radio data in the dash...like song or station....but that seems to be it so far.
as for the clock...I dunno....it was set when I put the unit in....so guess I'll have to live with the right time 6 months outta the year...lol. the Avin unit has a clock too....so whatever .
steering buttons still work....my only issues at this point is FM signal.....think I need to get a in dash antenna.....but i stream most of the time anyway so the advantages of the unit outweigh the above to date.
oh...and you can no longer broadcast to the rear monitors......so they will be stand alone.....but with the factory until it wouldn't work in the front in motion anyway.....so...yeah. not a biggie in my book
as for the clock...I dunno....it was set when I put the unit in....so guess I'll have to live with the right time 6 months outta the year...lol. the Avin unit has a clock too....so whatever .
steering buttons still work....my only issues at this point is FM signal.....think I need to get a in dash antenna.....but i stream most of the time anyway so the advantages of the unit outweigh the above to date.
oh...and you can no longer broadcast to the rear monitors......so they will be stand alone.....but with the factory until it wouldn't work in the front in motion anyway.....so...yeah. not a biggie in my book
Last edited by Iceytys; Jan 13, 2019 at 10:50 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 60
From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
Ok sounds good I don't broadcast from the front display to the rear display so that's ok..
i never look at the cluster for directions so that's no problem/ and not seeing the songs name/ station rds on the cluster is no problem either
so did you ever run a "12v wire" to power the factory antenna to get better FM reception?
And how how does the avinusa unit work in cold temperatures?
also someone said the factory gps antenna works with the Avinusa unit so no need to purchase the adapter?
i never look at the cluster for directions so that's no problem/ and not seeing the songs name/ station rds on the cluster is no problem either
so did you ever run a "12v wire" to power the factory antenna to get better FM reception?
And how how does the avinusa unit work in cold temperatures?
also someone said the factory gps antenna works with the Avinusa unit so no need to purchase the adapter?
Last edited by WaveyKat; Jan 13, 2019 at 01:21 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 63
Likes: 20
GL 550
Yes...the unit comes with the 12v wire already spliced....but the problem with my vehicle is it didnt have a normal antenna wire.....I am not sure if its on the same wire as the GPS from the car
..or some other wire...but i didnt have anything to plug into the back of the AVIN.....was really weird. The factory unit has the double white Fakra connection for an antenna...but nothing was plugged into it. 🤷*♂️
as for cold weather performance....I couldn't tell ya...not super cold down here....but it's an electronic...so should be fine.
..or some other wire...but i didnt have anything to plug into the back of the AVIN.....was really weird. The factory unit has the double white Fakra connection for an antenna...but nothing was plugged into it. 🤷*♂️
as for cold weather performance....I couldn't tell ya...not super cold down here....but it's an electronic...so should be fine.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 10
2008 ML350
So I am also looking into getting the avinusa 9" head unit. Few question for people who already have it...
1. What factory functions do you loose?
2. How do you set the clock in the cluster since the factory navi is removed?
3. Does the volume up/down works with the avinusa unit?
4. Does the channel up/down work with the avinusa unit?
thanks in advance
1. What factory functions do you loose?
2. How do you set the clock in the cluster since the factory navi is removed?
3. Does the volume up/down works with the avinusa unit?
4. Does the channel up/down work with the avinusa unit?
thanks in advance
Many things still work. The analog clock can be reset by pulling the fuse for the display cluster panel for a few seconds. On my ML it is the bottom fuse on the passenger fuse panel by the glovebox. 5A I think. The clock will reset to 12:00. Do it at noon or midnight and you are good. I do it at 11:59 to give the analog clock a little time to do it's dance and get to 12:00. Volume on the steering works fine. You can change radio stations fine as well. It's not a perfect system, but it beats the other options by a good bit.
Best of Luck!
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 10
2008 ML350
The amp Com wire coming from the harness seems to be the key to this. Avinusa says to connect the 2 amp con or "antenna" wires together. This did not work for me. I hooked a 12v line from an accessory power source wire to the amp con wire coming out of the wiring harness. As soon as I did this the triggered the antenna amp to power up and work great. MB has an elaborate system for an antenna, but the in-dash antennas as crap. I have a few and they all suck.
My radio gets great reception on the MB system.
My radio gets great reception on the MB system.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 60
From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
thanks guys for all the help and info.. i will place my order and see what happens.. the unit does looks good and like someone said it will bring the car up to speed with all the newer tech.
i ordered
Mercedes GL 9" Unit: PX5804GB32-MLGL
Apple CarPlay / Android Auto USB adapter
MOST Fiber Optic
Factory Backup Camera Adapter
Excited :-)
i ordered
Mercedes GL 9" Unit: PX5804GB32-MLGL
Apple CarPlay / Android Auto USB adapter
MOST Fiber Optic
Factory Backup Camera Adapter
Excited :-)
Last edited by WaveyKat; Jan 19, 2019 at 02:18 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 60
From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
From Reading All Post..it seems like Each model year has Different Wiring for the FM/AM Antenna..
i have 2011 GL550 With HK systems and RES.
hopefully when i get the Avin Unit i can figure out the FM/AM Radio Situation
i have 2011 GL550 With HK systems and RES.
hopefully when i get the Avin Unit i can figure out the FM/AM Radio Situation
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 63
Likes: 20
GL 550
I agree....let me know if you find a trick to the FM antenna......I have an in dash unit coming this week, so Ill put in in this weekend and see if it works worth a damn. I dont use FM that much, so its not a super big deal, but would be nice to have it working.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 63
Likes: 20
GL 550
@Iceytys can you let me know what in dash unit you are referring too so i can also have a backup plan..
also did the ever use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
did it work for you?
thanks
also did the ever use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
did it work for you?
thanks
Here is the FM adapter/in dash antenna I am waiting on now...FYI.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ZHOLA-New-A...w/183238421808
Should be here later this week......wont have time until this weekend to mess with it though
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 10
2008 ML350
Picture of AvinUSA FM antenna Connaection
AvinUSA FM antenna connection
This is what they tell you to connect. One side goes to the radio the other goes to the connection to wire harness. The radio "should" send 12v to turn the radio antenna amp on when the radio comes on. I hooked up the wire from the harness to another power source to send power to amp and it worked. The radio was not sending a strong 12v to the amp and Mercedes is picky about the power. Try hooking to a solid 12v source to test and then wire as you need to. I used another accessory power source so the amp is powered when the key in turned on. Been great for 9 months!
Last edited by TurboDog; Jan 15, 2019 at 10:48 AM. Reason: spelling
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 63
Likes: 20
GL 550
AvinUSA FM antenna connection
This is what they tell you to connect. One side goes to the radio the other goes to the connection to wire harness. The radio "should" send 12v to turn the radio antenna amp on when the radio comes on. I hooked up the wire from the harness to another power source to send power to amp and it worked. The radio was not sending a strong 12v to the amp and Mercedes is picky about the power. Try hooking to a solid 12v source to test and then wire as you need to. I used another accessory power source so the amp is powered when the key in turned on. Been great for 9 months!
Turbodog...thanks for chiming in and thats great....but what plug are you plugging in to your AVIN where the FM antenna goes? See the double Fakra on the AVIN where I circled it. That's the FM connection......did u plug anything into that?
The same plug on the command center was there...but it too was not being used. 🤷*♂️
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 10
2008 ML350
Antenna connection
One of the 2 white antenna connections is for the antenna. As I remember, only one of them was hot and the other looked unused. I think i needed a fakra adapter, you made need to order one. Personally I would just cut the antenna wire because your not going to go back to the stock radio anyway. These are pictures I took at install so sorry my memory of the specifics is a little foggy. Hope this helps.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 63
Likes: 20
GL 550
Antenna connection
One of the 2 white antenna connections is for the antenna. As I remember, only one of them was hot and the other looked unused. I think i needed a fakra adapter, you made need to order one. Personally I would just cut the antenna wire because your not going to go back to the stock radio anyway. These are pictures I took at install so sorry my memory of the specifics is a little foggy. Hope this helps.
yes...you are correct...only 1 of the 2 Fakra connections on the AVIN is hot...and I have the adapter....however....I have yet to identify which wire is the antenna wire of the car....see picture below...this is from my Command Unti...nothing was attached to the antenna on the factory unit...so I assume they are using another wire....but not sure what wire. Any thoughts?
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 63
Likes: 20
GL 550
Antenna connection
One of the 2 white antenna connections is for the antenna. As I remember, only one of them was hot and the other looked unused. I think i needed a fakra adapter, you made need to order one. Personally I would just cut the antenna wire because your not going to go back to the stock radio anyway. These are pictures I took at install so sorry my memory of the specifics is a little foggy. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the heads up...Ill investigate further.
thanks
Last edited by Iceytys; Jan 15, 2019 at 01:25 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 10
2008 ML350
I can see you plugged in a black wire to your unit....where does it go (glove box) ? I traced a wire back to a box above the glove box, however when I plugged it in, it didnt make a difference, so I pulled it out. I thought it was part of the Ipod adaptor since it was wrapped to that plug. Mmm...I may have to look again when I with my car.
Thanks for the heads up...Ill investigate further.
thanks
Thanks for the heads up...Ill investigate further.
thanks
Keep in mind that if the antenna amplifier does not have power, hooking up the Correct antenna wire will not help.
