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@amgs63dxb Thanks man for the quick reply! I'll give it a shot after the #stayhome finishes as well!
Regarding the pins you mentioned, how can I have a better visibility on that in the car ? I'll double check as well in the menu if there's an AUX option, but as far as I remember there weren't. Also, I've seen in many cars input like this in the glovebox, but I couldn't find any in my car, does that indicate anything? that maybe it's not even an option in the car?
Also I'll have a look on the side fuse box, maybe I can find anything suspicious.
For the radio thing, honestly I'm looking forward to solving this as I'm used to listen to the radio in the car (I know it might sound weird), I'll first ask someone who's expert or done that before, to install a radio expander, and see how feasible is it.
On the other hand, I'm not sure as well how can re-code it to different frequencies, I assume it might need an advanced tool like Star or Xentry?
For finding a one willing to do some work with Star/Xentry, I'll try to do that in the place I'm doing the service for the car in, maybe he can help with that.
I'll keep you updated with any steps I'll take.
Btw, one more thing, the phone cable I have in my car is different than the regular MMI in Mercedes cars, in my car it's cable looking like this, not a plug. Any clues around that? a converter maybe or something? I didn't find anything around that.
did anyone find an adapter to a phone or to a Bluetooth device? What is the name of this charger/phone jack. I have the same thing in my 2008 s-class Japan model and I cannot find anything that fits on there.
did anyone find an adapter to a phone or to a Bluetooth device? What is the name of this charger/phone jack. I have the same thing in my 2008 s-class Japan model and I cannot find anything that fits on there.
For the bluetooth, there's an option in the menu (under phone tab) to connect to a Bluetooth device (I can record you the process if you want, just send me a picture of your screen). Though, it works only for calls...
For the AUX, my car didn't have any port for the AUX but the option was there in the music menu, I went to someone (if you're in UAE let me know, I'll tell you the place) who extended an AUX cable coming out from under the glovebox, works great, costed around 40 $.
Lastly, regarding that phone cable, if it's the same as the one I've shared earlier, then totally ignore it, it's useless (it's for old japanese phones).
Pmercury , you cannot add carplay with vediamo on W221 japan command. You can install only US or EU Commands.
yes
I always said forget about the JAP command
JAP command > Trash
get a used one, then get pin code, install program to your needs
I am not a command specialist, I hate them
Agree with Pmercury,
But its not easy to change command from Jap to EU or US , there is lot of wiring shut be changed and Amplifier Software also.
if change it to NTG3.5 screen also have to change. To change it EU or US NTG 3 its useless.
I can share both systems wiring diagram . NTG 3.5 EU & US , NTG 3 EU & US and Japanese NTG 3.0
For the bluetooth, there's an option in the menu (under phone tab) to connect to a Bluetooth device (I can record you the process if you want, just send me a picture of your screen). Though, it works only for calls...
For the AUX, my car didn't have any port for the AUX but the option was there in the music menu, I went to someone (if you're in UAE let me know, I'll tell you the place) who extended an AUX cable coming out from under the glovebox, works great, costed around 40 $.
Lastly, regarding that phone cable, if it's the same as the one I've shared earlier, then totally ignore it, it's useless (it's for old japanese phones).
Thanks for the quick response. I live in Japan and through this forum I have learned that that odd looking phone connector is rather a Panasonic media interface. I am wondering if I can find an adapter from the Panasonic port to IPOD/iPhone.
This will allow me to stream music from my phone. For calls, the Bluetooth works perfectly fine.
So far I managed to brick the radio playing with adaptation and trying software upgrades from shady places... :P It just won't work. Luckily I had 3 other JP spec units, so it was pain free experimenting. The best I can do here is:
1/ change coding to Rest of the world (Changing it to Europe in my case freezes entire FM band for some reason, but ROW works)
2/ when changed, the control wheel cannot be used anymore (it locks the "needle" on the far right side of the screen and allows only to move between 85 to 89MHz), but: using steering wheel controls you can go above the limitation (needle dissappears, while you can adjust the FM frequency). Thanks @hussein_abumaas for the hint! When you adjust the frequency up, the dashboard cluster stops at 90MHz, but the radio keeps going... 91...92...93 until 100MHz. Then it looses the first digit and keeps going up until (1)01.3 or something like that. And this is where the weird thing happens - when you keep scrolling above the 103, it goes back to 76 and keeps going up. And in that range from 76 to 85 it keeps finding stations that are not supposed to be there (almost as if it was 104,105 and so on). The minute you try to adjust it with the wheel, it comes back to the real 85-90 band. But if you fix it with steering wheel controls - you are home...
That's the best I was able to set right now. @hussein_abumaas mentioned also you could do presets, but when I try to do auto search, presets gets cleared up and nothing can be store. Not sure if this is my unit or are there other coding that affect the behavior...
But that's officially it. I'm not going to waste any more time nor energy on that crappy old radio which I don't even listen to in the first place ;-) Next step would be to use can hacker to isolate signal codes from the steering wheel controls and use it to control external audio source.
you still have some lying around? Mine is completely dead.
I had black screen but sound worked. So i changed the display now all is dead.
Hi there, anyone know if this "Joyeauto" wireless carplay solution will work with the Japan Panasonic Comand? I have asked them and they say it will, but it would be interesting to hear with others with first hand experience with Japan units.
Btw my car is a 2006 S600 with NTG3.0. But they also have another version for NTG3.5.
For the bluetooth, there's an option in the menu (under phone tab) to connect to a Bluetooth device (I can record you the process if you want, just send me a picture of your screen). Though, it works only for calls...
For the AUX, my car didn't have any port for the AUX but the option was there in the music menu, I went to someone (if you're in UAE let me know, I'll tell you the place) who extended an AUX cable coming out from under the glovebox, works great, costed around 40 $.
Lastly, regarding that phone cable, if it's the same as the one I've shared earlier, then totally ignore it, it's useless (it's for old japanese phones).
I a from UAE, @ [QUOTE=hussein_abumaas;8133841] please let me know the location and contact details of the shop
I'm new to this forum. Recently purchased a 2012 S550 Japanese specs. Runs and drives great. The Comand is definitely annoying.
I was going through various forums reading up on different experiences people have shared.
Would appreciate if someone could clarify this for me, NTG3.5 is supposed to be with small SD card slot, and only for models 2009 onwards.
Mine has the old PCMCIA slot on it and its a 2012 model. Is this how it is in Jap specs?
Also I just have the 30 pin connector cable in the Glove box, no aux or Video input slots. Comand doesnt have AUX option.
Another irritating thing is that i get a "Drive Error" message every minute and then it changes to "Please Wait" and doesnt go until i press Back button. Anyone else facing this problem as well?
Would really appreciate your answers.
I'm based in Dubai, and i read a few members here mentioning shops and garages who could help with various problems. Kindly share location or contact if possible.
@vinay1789 I learnt the hard way that NTG3.5 was never introduced in Japanese specs facelifted W221 - as you say, even in 2012 they were still putting the "old" device with pcmcia slot and old type screen connector (not the lvds connector). Just a thing to remember in case you wanted to do any aftermarket add-ons.
The biggest issue on these Japanese units is that a lot of people reporting it's impossible to enable aux (radio does not accept coding, and cables are not there). I did not spent too much time with these, but if you want, we can try if you can use this media connector to inject audio into the unit (if yes, then you are in the market for all sorts of upgrades). In ntg4.5, after connecting the mmi to 3.5mm jack plug, the Media menu shows additional option that is effectively your Aux. I'm guessing this unit might be similar.
You can get EU model here, but 3.5k ~ 4k AED in my opinion is a steeeeeep price to be able to listen to Virgin Radio ;-)
Drive error is another issue - it is what it is - that super sophisticated CD changer is broken. There are companies offering to fix the mechanical part (found one in Hong Kong and one in Malaysia) for $400 - but shipment and customs procedures in Dubai makes it near to impossible to do. Alternatively - just get another unit from Sharjah (I can share details where to look for) - they have hundreds of these japanese units which nobody wants to buy (everybody wants EU model). I paid 450AED for one when my "Drive Error" started showing up (in my case it was a perpetual thing, every few seconds after "please wait" disappeared). Replacement is super easy and it can be done directly at the shop where you buy it - to make sure it works on the spot. You might need to adjust coding to align your equipment with controls in comand you are adapting, but this is a 5 min job. Before replacing unit I also tried if there is no option to entirely disable CD using various coding combinations - I managed to kill CD option, but error still kept showing up, so replacement was the only option I could recommend...
@vinay1789 I learnt the hard way that NTG3.5 was never introduced in Japanese specs facelifted W221 - as you say, even in 2012 they were still putting the "old" device with pcmcia slot and old type screen connector (not the lvds connector). Just a thing to remember in case you wanted to do any aftermarket add-ons.
The biggest issue on these Japanese units is that a lot of people reporting it's impossible to enable aux (radio does not accept coding, and cables are not there). I did not spent too much time with these, but if you want, we can try if you can use this media connector to inject audio into the unit (if yes, then you are in the market for all sorts of upgrades). In ntg4.5, after connecting the mmi to 3.5mm jack plug, the Media menu shows additional option that is effectively your Aux. I'm guessing this unit might be similar.
You can get EU model here, but 3.5k ~ 4k AED in my opinion is a steeeeeep price to be able to listen to Virgin Radio ;-)
Drive error is another issue - it is what it is - that super sophisticated CD changer is broken. There are companies offering to fix the mechanical part (found one in Hong Kong and one in Malaysia) for $400 - but shipment and customs procedures in Dubai makes it near to impossible to do. Alternatively - just get another unit from Sharjah (I can share details where to look for) - they have hundreds of these japanese units which nobody wants to buy (everybody wants EU model). I paid 450AED for one when my "Drive Error" started showing up (in my case it was a perpetual thing, every few seconds after "please wait" disappeared). Replacement is super easy and it can be done directly at the shop where you buy it - to make sure it works on the spot. You might need to adjust coding to align your equipment with controls in comand you are adapting, but this is a 5 min job. Before replacing unit I also tried if there is no option to entirely disable CD using various coding combinations - I managed to kill CD option, but error still kept showing up, so replacement was the only option I could recommend...
Thanks a lot for clarifying. I'm not the only one then haha!
Honestly I just want to enjoy the drive, I don't care about Nav, Jap Clock timing, or the Jap Radio.
I just want to try and hook up an aux if possible so that can help play some music of my choice, and don't want error messages to pop up. So I guess i'll look into changing the CD unit to fix the error. Pls share with me location where I can get a CD unit.
You mentioned after changing it would need some coding for my car. How to get that done? Can I do it myself?
not possible
your command unit is JAP build
buy a US or EUR command and i can code it in
Not sure I understood what you mean with "not possible "
I'm looking for more information on what the FM multiplex menu do,
Note: I have factory RCA input in the glove box
Also found this video bypass device installed.
Not sure I understood what you mean with "not possible "
I'm looking for more information on what the FM multiplex menu do,
Note: I have factory RCA input in the glove box
Also found this video bypass device installed.
not possible to change your Command unit to ECE or USA
Its unnecessary to change Jap Command to EU or US , I Install Car Play on 2012 W221 With Jap Command.
Now I have ALL CarPlay supports other apps on My iPhone , After Installing Small Can Bus Unit I can control from command Joystick.
Hello can you help me please with LVDS and audio cable connection? I have Limcet unit but LVDS cable is not connected on the original unit. AUX is also not activated but I would like to figure out how to get the audio signal. Thank you
I took your advice and contacted Mr. Shahzad in Sharjah to install Carplay module Limcet. It was a good experience. His staff works good and have knowledge about the job. The iPod module was removed completely and the sound was routed via TV. The point is that you can switch on TV only with the car stopped. However, if you keep the TV the unit on Carplay connects automatically every time and works good. To change from Carplay to original screen of command unit you have to keep pressing the Phone/Navigation button for 2-3 seconds. Same to bring it back to Carplay. Your phone has to be connected only to Carplay by Bluetooth in order to make and receive calls having the sound in the car speakers. Carplay unit can be handled from car's original joystick. The original camera works fine (same as before) with the unit. Also there is the option to select the car original microphone or the carplay unit microphone. The workshop had installed also the microphone which came with the unit. Siri and WhatsApp work by voice well. I have installed also a frequency range extender for the radio of 20 Mhz. That has to be installed in the trunk next to the amplifier. They took 12V power supply from a 12V socket via one 4A fuse. Now I can listen to the local radio stations. Also with regard to the start/stop of the engine I have installed under the driver seat a 400 ohms resistor for the wires going to the seatbelt buckle. One of the wires going to the seat belt contact was left disconnected so the car sense 400 ohms, car seat belt disconnected and the engine will not start and stop everytime. Practically when the seat belt is disconnected you have a resistance of 400 ohms. When the seat buckle is connected the resistance is 100 ohms. Car seatbelt warning is still there but goes off after a while.
Parts were sourced from Aliexpress the links are below. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3294...21ef1802kb6c6I https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...21ef1802kb6c6I https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...21ef1802kb6c6I - For NTG 3.0 They have for NTG 3.5 as well.
I also recommend the parts below for the side mirrors which give a nice look to the car. The mirror covers are made pretty well. Material looks nice and the fitting is good. They relatively simple to be installed. Pay attention to the signal lamp which comes pretty tight for installation in the cover. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...21ef1802kb6c6I https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...21ef1802kb6c6I
The only thing pending is to have the seatbelt beeping removed. I got from Mr. Shahzad workshop the details of one gentleman who can do that and he has the workshop nearby him.
...but you are aware that messing with seatbelt sensor *might* cost your life in case of an accident, right? if the srs system detects no seatbelt, the airbag might not deploy at all. Just a thought... there are better ways of disabling start/stop system (you can code it in and merc guys in Sharjah should know that procedure very well - it's just annoying and time consuming and that's why they figured out an "analog" workaround)
Thank you for your thoughts. I did that since I understand that there are weight sensors under the driver seat which they practically control the deployment of the airbags. Anyway, I will discuss this matter with the technician I mentioned before.
08-16-2020 | 08:46 AM
