Happy new owner of a 2015 ML350 4MATIC. Replacing a 2000 ML55 AMG. A lot changed in 15 years. Much nicer car. Great shape. All the options I wanted.

Previous owner installed an Android 11 nav system with Android Auto / Carplay and a bigger screen which is nice. I'm not a total idiot - I was able to figure out how to connect my phone (Android) with Bluetooth and it automatically syncs with my phone's Maps app when I get in the car which is awesome. And I'm logged into Amazon Music and can play music thru the Amazon app but there's no sound from anything other than the radio. Anyone know how I can toggle between radio and Android as the source for the speakers?

Also, I have a red female USB, yellow female USB and unknown black connection coming out from the center console at the driver footwell. I guess the USB connect to the Android unit but I'm not sure how. And I don't even know what the black thing is for.

Lastly, I have an Alpine wired dongle thing with "on/off" and "mode" buttons at the top of the A pillar on the driver side windshield but I haven't been able to figure out it's purpose either. I've tried mashing buttons but haven't noticed any effect.

I bought from a dealer so I can't ask the previous owner and dealer doesn't know. Any ideas on how to work all these gadgets?

 

I'll bite:

"Previous owner installed an Android 11 nav system with Android Auto / Carplay and a bigger screen which is nice. I'm not a total idiot - I was able to figure out how to connect my phone (Android) with Bluetooth and it automatically syncs with my phone's Maps app when I get in the car which is awesome. And I'm logged into Amazon Music and can play music thru the Amazon app but there's no sound from anything other than the radio. Anyone know how I can toggle between radio and Android as the source for the speakers?"

Try going to the factory command screen and changing the source to AUX, then try the Android screen again.

"Lastly, I have an Alpine wired dongle thing with "on/off" and "mode" buttons at the top of the A pillar on the driver side windshield but I haven't been able to figure out it's purpose either. I've tried mashing buttons but haven't noticed any effect."

Seems to be a Alpine driver assist camera, a quick google search shows a similar controller: https://www.streetsoundvision.com.au...ve-assist-came

 

mike919, thanks for the reply! I think you’re right about the Alpine unit. The dongle looks exactly the same and there’s a camera mounted in the front grill area on top of the front license plate holder. At first I thought that was a MB camera for lane assist (or whatever that feature that makes my steering wheel vibrate when I change lanes without a signal) but now that I look more closely I think it’s after market. I tried changing to the AUX source in the Factory Command screen but that didn’t seem to change anything. Though, on a related note, while goofing around I realized that Android head unit was outputting sound but (1) it seemed to only be coming out of the one speaker at the base of the A pillar and (2) even with the volume turned up all of the way (both the default Mercedes volume knob and the Android

So I did a factory reset of the Android head unit hoping that’d fix things. But now, after the factory reset, (1) audio still super quiet and only coming out of one speaker, (2) I can no longer connect to Android Auto – the Zlink app that I used for that now says I need to activate it, and (3) the backup camera no longer works. FML. I’m going to try to goof around with it some this weekend and see if I can at least get the backup cam working again.

 

Check all of the sound settings on the Android screen, sound balance, EQ all that. I would narrow it down using the command unit 1st. Use the factory command Bluetooth mode or put a CD in and play it, if it sounds fine using all the factory sources the issue is the Android screen. The screen also connects to the truck via a mini plug connection in the center console way at the bottom, be sure to check that connection also.

If all else fails maybe find an installer in your area that installs these screens and see if they can tune it properly. Good luck!

 

Thanks again for your help! I now suspect the issue is "The screen also connects to the truck via a mini plug connection in the center console way at the bottom, be sure to check that connection also."

I watched a bunch of YouTube videos. I found this video most helpful and this screenshot seems to show the AMI port, the AMI to 3.5mm dongle and the hole through which the YouTuber ran a 3.5mm audio cable from the center console to the back of the Android head unit.



I don't have anything (i.e. no dongle) plugged into my AMI port and no signs of a 3.5mm cable running from the head unit to the center console.

I removed the storage compartment panel with the USB and AMI ports hoping to find a 3.5mm cable behind the panel. Unfortunately I did not see any cable.

I also noted that in YouTube setup and troubleshooting videos that the password protected "Factory Settings" menu is sometimes needed. However in every video I saw they said it's almost always 190627 and that doesn't work for me.

I did figure out how to fix the Zlink Android Auto connection (just had to connect android head unit to wifi before starting Zlink and it reactivates itself) the backup cam (that was in a non-password protected settings menu) so I'm back to where I was before I started messing with things. And I think I might be able to live with that: I love the Android Auto connection for navigation and I can listen to the MB radio.

Would love to get the Android head unit's audio working but I'm worried that even if I take the car apart and run the 3.5mm wire to the head unit I still won't have audio because I need to fool around in the password protected Factory Settings menu I cannot access. Does anyone know how to figure out who manufactured the head unit so I can contact them for a password?

 

This aftermarket crap is all junk! I installed one in my CLK and after months of it working on and off I just couldn’t do it anymore. It just is not worth the hassle. The best thing to do is keep it OEM. There really is nothing to gain with aftermarket units like these.
I hate to be a downer here but based on my experience OEM for head units is the way to go.

 

I'll dig my android manuals to see what those plugs are.

The previous owner must have not installed the audio connection of the android unit to the command. Only way to find out where things are is to dissassemble the unit and see where the wires are.

Here are part of the manual of the android unit. Should be similar to yours. That unit of yours is the older android unit screens. The new ones are better than that. If all fails just buy another android unit and do it again.




The yellow USB cable must be video input and Red USB as Audio. The black cable I am not sure off.