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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).
Hello, I will let you know what I did and hopefully will be helpful for you.
I bought a Limcet unit from Aliexpress for 200USD. I got that installed in Sharjah at Mr. Shahzad workshop for 200AED. They routed the sound input for the TV since there is no AUX. Carplay works wireless Android Auto by cable. Ca le was installed in glove box coming from same Limcet unit. Everything works well.
Bluetooth - I have connected a second phone to the original car Bluetooth.
Phone cable in armrest - don't bother that is for a certain Panasonic phone not in use anymore.
Radio - I bought a frequency adaptor(20Mhz) and cables with proper connections for 20 USD. That was installed in the trunk rear left by same workshop. I can listen all radio stations in UAE but the frequency on the screen is 20 MHz less. For 107.1 MHz I will see 87.1 MHz.
All was less than 300 USD.
The iPod adapter was totally removed. I don't think was working since I tried few time but without succes.
You can also buy a PCMCIA adaptor for TF card and card to put music on it. That is AED 200.
My CD changer doesn't work.
There is also an internal storage you can put music on it. Mine is full of Japanese music 😀.
Good luck and have a good day.
P.S. Changing the command unit to US or UE might be challenging since the connectors are different.
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.
So i guess just replace the comand unit with a GCC one. i got a quote of 4,500AED plus 2,500AED for installation for a used unit. my problem is am OCD and i get annoyed easily, i bought the car assuming everything can be fixed easily, alas there is a price to be paid.
So i guess just replace the comand unit with a GCC one. i got a quote of 4,500AED plus 2,500AED for installation for a used unit. my problem is am OCD and i get annoyed easily, i bought the car assuming everything can be fixed easily, alas there is a price to be paid.
oh maaan... really? pay AED 7k to be able to listen insurance market advertising and still lack even the basic functionality of a new car?
you have two sensible options:
1/ keep the ntg and add carplay box to add carplay functioanlity only (you will get FM by means of an fm radio app running on the phone -> not only better FM quality but also allows you to listen to external content if you really MUST listen to advertisements here), sample (700aed)
First gives you OE look and feel, because you do not replace anythning - the original screen is used to capture the carplay interface from your cellphone and it looks good. Nice but small. Refreshesh the look and feel by a lot already. Adds bluetooth streaming functionality that is so much missed on w221s.
Second is replacing the whole screen unit with modern 12" display which is bright, crisp and allows wide screen carplay/android auto functionalities. In non-carplay mode it allows you to run things like on any android auto, so cool apps, launchers, whatever youtube player or tv/media app you like with no restrictions...
Either option is tenfold better than investing 8k in an old unit (which by the way costs approx aed 1000 on the market and takes less than 30 mins to install and code it with your old settings, so you are being ripped off big time, my friend).
I have one Japanese comand unit looking very good bought from Germany. If anybody interested in UAE I can provide it for 500AED. +971506311282 However I have to bring it from my home country after few months. You can add 1000AED for Limcet unit with installation and frequency range adapter and problem solved. To install an European or American unit is difficult since the units are totally different connections wise.
oh maaan... really? pay AED 7k to be able to listen insurance market advertising and still lack even the basic functionality of a new car?
you have two sensible options:
1/ keep the ntg and add carplay box to add carplay functioanlity only (you will get FM by means of an fm radio app running on the phone -> not only better FM quality but also allows you to listen to external content if you really MUST listen to advertisements here), sample (700aed)
First gives you OE look and feel, because you do not replace anythning - the original screen is used to capture the carplay interface from your cellphone and it looks good. Nice but small. Refreshesh the look and feel by a lot already. Adds bluetooth streaming functionality that is so much missed on w221s.
Second is replacing the whole screen unit with modern 12" display which is bright, crisp and allows wide screen carplay/android auto functionalities. In non-carplay mode it allows you to run things like on any android auto, so cool apps, launchers, whatever youtube player or tv/media app you like with no restrictions...
Either option is tenfold better than investing 8k in an old unit (which by the way costs approx aed 1000 on the market and takes less than 30 mins to install and code it with your old settings, so you are being ripped off big time, my friend).
Thanks, option 2 sounds perfect, how and where can I get this done?
I just noticed the link to Ali express, so you basically ordered the same unit and had it installed here, yes? Who did the installation? I prefer tried and tested always and yes the clock, how did you fix it?
there is no way to fix the clock on the old NTG... you have two options - open it up (the clock) and move hour hand 5 hours back (any clock repair shop will do this easily, you can also DIY but it's a job that requires precision).
OR
remove gps antena cable from the back of the unit and reset the ntg at midnight (or noon) - it will get back to 12:00 and start counting from then....
as for the unit order -> if you work with any local shops, you will have warranty and installation, but the price goes up 2x (since you are entitled to warranty per law and aliexpress offers hardly any, so the installer will try to cover his risk).
Neither shop I saw here offers installation with parts you provided, so it's kinda tricky to get it done for the price I posted above unless you DIY. I have some experience with similar projects, so DIY was not an issue.
try carplanetuae, audioplanet_dubai, places like these have experience with android units and can package a deal for you W221, I guess.
It took a while, but I finally managed to sort out some of the Japanese quirks - but to get there you need to dig a bit deeper Actuation -> User-defined actuation -> Check coding and correct if necessary -> Variantenkodierung (and all below is in German). Google translate with live picture translation helps a lot here :-)
1/ You can adjust if high beams are allowed in the region or not - apparently in JP these are not allowed, that's why my car was only using flaps to run high beams out of the xenon. Now it's doing the both H3 + Xenon when running high beams... (which is pretty funny why such a configuration even left the factory - two lenses per lamp out of which the inner ones are not operational by default)
2/ Changing consumption from km/l to l/100km - also there (Einheit Verbrauchsanzeige Liter)
3/ Turning off the reverse camera gong - I found it under these German settings too... There are at least 6 places where I changed it - bottom line changing only memory settings does not turn it off, but when you open something that was named after translation "module default settings", you will find "Rückfahrkamera"-something (damn, I got excited and didnt make a screenshot, but I'll dig it up next time I work on somebody's car). From there you can turn this crap off...
And one more thing - changes take place only after rebooting the cluster...
bonus - if your lamps have ILs, you can turn the LHD to RHD with a switch - just dig into control module of lamps. You only need to change coding for one lamp although both modules are visible separately, second will inherit.
Next step will be to fix the radio. I managed to do a test where I can pick up random FM frequency outside of the Japanese 75 to 90, e.g. 104.4, and the test works - I can hear the music. So now I need to figure out what exactly do I need to change and how - firmware upgrade? SCN? Not sure. Reconfiguration of the unit alone to Rest of The world allows me to test higher frequencies, but the display is still fixed with the low range (75-90), while the knob only allows me to select frequencies from 88 to 90 (making it pretty useless at the moment).
Any ideas?
Hey man the reverse gong, can you elaborate a bit on how turned it off? Did you use a scanner to access the settings ?
Hey guys,
For people asking about the guy in Sharjah for installing the AUX (and other stuff), the shop is named "al rimal al thahabain" (aka golden sands)
Search maps with "الرمال الذهبية للتصليح و زينه السيارات شهزاد"
So i guess just replace the comand unit with a GCC one. i got a quote of 4,500AED plus 2,500AED for installation for a used unit. my problem is am OCD and i get annoyed easily, i bought the car assuming everything can be fixed easily, alas there is a price to be paid.
thats a steep price.. Tgey are actually ripping people off...Goto sharjah industrial area... U canget the japan spec for 200 aed and gcc for 400 aed... I had purchased both of them for different vehicles ...
I’m new to this forum and to the Mercedes world and appreciate your help.
i drive GLE 53 AMG 2021 imported from Japan and I have the same exact issues plus I don’t have Mercedes me & App on the MBUX system.
Is there a known and tested resolution?
is it possible to update the MB software without compromising the overall functionality?
if there is another thread for GLE 53 AMG 2021 imported from Japan for mentioned problem I appreciate if you point me there
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.
Hello, I just found your post on this forum about installing carplay on japan spec s400. I live in Mongolia and also have 2011 s400L japan spec. And it has not aux menu in the main menu. Can you please explain how did you exactly connect audio via ipod interface? I've asked some carplay shops on Aliexpress, they say i must activate aux first at the MB proffessionals. But here we dont have those profs who can activate aux.
Hello, I will let you know what I did and hopefully will be helpful for you.
I bought a Limcet unit from Aliexpress for 200USD. I got that installed in Sharjah at Mr. Shahzad workshop for 200AED. They routed the sound input for the TV since there is no AUX. Carplay works wireless Android Auto by cable. Ca le was installed in glove box coming from same Limcet unit. Everything works well.
Bluetooth - I have connected a second phone to the original car Bluetooth.
Phone cable in armrest - don't bother that is for a certain Panasonic phone not in use anymore.
Radio - I bought a frequency adaptor(20Mhz) and cables with proper connections for 20 USD. That was installed in the trunk rear left by same workshop. I can listen all radio stations in UAE but the frequency on the screen is 20 MHz less. For 107.1 MHz I will see 87.1 MHz.
All was less than 300 USD.
The iPod adapter was totally removed. I don't think was working since I tried few time but without succes.
You can also buy a PCMCIA adaptor for TF card and card to put music on it. That is AED 200.
My CD changer doesn't work.
There is also an internal storage you can put music on it. Mine is full of Japanese music 😀.
Good luck and have a good day.
P.S. Changing the command unit to US or UE might be challenging since the connectors are different.
Hello, Im new to this forum and your experience was very useful for me. I have a 2011 japan spec s400L also and wanted to install carplay. As you mentioned the AUX problem is indeed challenging since im in Mongolia, yet we dont have any MB professionals here. Can you tell me more detailed about wiring sound system via Ipod interface? I would be much appreciated if you could.
Im facing the same issue with my 2009 s63 as its a Japanese specs and has no AUX connector anywhere, I did find RCA connectors in the Glovebox though, tried the RCA to AUX cable but still couldn't listen to music in the car .
I live in Dubai and would like to know if there is a place that specializes in sorting out such issues, would be great if u can help with that.
Im facing the same issue with my 2009 s63 as its a Japanese specs and has no AUX connector anywhere, I did find RCA connectors in the Glovebox though, tried the RCA to AUX cable but still couldn't listen to music in the car .
I live in Dubai and would like to know if there is a place that specializes in sorting out such issues, would be great if u can help with that
@Nadimos 2009 can get aux activated via vediamo / das / monaco.
has anyone got AUX activated on a facelifted NTG3 Japan spec? DAS says that units with digital TV must set the AUX function to PRESENT and the car comes with analog chinch set in the glove box... but how to use this archaic setting to get the Android to work? I mean - how to get the sound into the MB unit and play the music from external source on this facelift Comand?
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