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Mercedes Benz R 320CDI 2006 Long version Luxury package
Bluetooth connection
Good morning everyone.
I have a small issue here. My Mercedes comes equipped with Bluetooth connection and I already have a phone installed, you put a sim card and you're good to talk on it. I wonder what the Bluetooth is supposed to do? I have connected my mobile phone via Bluetooth, it's showing as connected on the display but nothing happens. To my frustration, the car doesn't have the multimedia plug, you know, the one similar to MMI from Audi, or iPod connector, it has only a CD changer and 3.5mm audio jack aux.
So, my question is, what the Bluetooth connection is supposed to do because I couldn't figure out how to make use of it? Any help is very much appreciated!
Mercedes Benz R 320CDI 2006 Long version Luxury package
Originally Posted by Tsumi
Bluetooth is for phone call purposes only. It was designed in an era where bluetooth music streaming did not exist.
Thank you for your reply. Well, do you have any idea how to use the Bluetooth connection for phone calls? It's not a dumb question, I have previously used Bluetooth in other cars, but on this one, I couldn't figure out how to. I do have a lot of technology knowledge nad how to use stuff like this, but in this case, I'm lost. Basically as you could see, the mobile phone is connected to car's Bluetooth and that's it. I did the factory reset on the command, on the phone, tried various ways to establish the connection and no result. Funny thing, on my mobile phone there's no Bluetooth connection established despite it is connected to the car. Weird and unexplained. I'm out of ideas. Is there a chance that my mobile phone is not compatible with the car or vice versa?
Thank you for your reply. Well, do you have any idea how to use the Bluetooth connection for phone calls? It's not a dumb question, I have previously used Bluetooth in other cars, but on this one, I couldn't figure out how to. I do have a lot of technology knowledge nad how to use stuff like this, but in this case, I'm lost. Basically as you could see, the mobile phone is connected to car's Bluetooth and that's it. I did the factory reset on the command, on the phone, tried various ways to establish the connection and no result. Funny thing, on my mobile phone there's no Bluetooth connection established despite it is connected to the car. Weird and unexplained. I'm out of ideas. Is there a chance that my mobile phone is not compatible with the car or vice versa?
Bluetooth circa 2006 connects two devices only. Your HU says it's connected; does your phone? If so, have you tried a test call? Have someone call your phone while it's connected to Bluetooth; it should mute the radio (which must be on). Answer the call using the phone button on the steering wheel and you should hear the caller over the audio system.
I installed OEM Bluetooth into my 2006 CLK350. The systems of that era required a Bluetooth "puck" to be installed in the console, which looked like the photos below. Earlier, pre-Bluetooth Benzes I've owned had handsfree capability but required the use of a proprietary Mercedes-branded Motorola phone like the StarTac, Timeport and V60. Yours looks more like the even older versions of the console mounted phones with the classic "curly cord".
Mercedes Benz R 320CDI 2006 Long version Luxury package
Well..
This is how the connection and the installed phone looks like. And unfortunately it cannot be removed or at least I couldn't.
When I had the mobile phone connected via Bluetooth, on the comand display it shows as connected, but not on the phone. I got a call on my mobile phone while the radio was on, but no sign on the comand. My mobile phone was the only one ringing. I have tried to remove the phone completely from the arm rest but I couldn't figure out how to do it, but I'll do that later if there's any reason. Below are 2 photos showing the connectors. Starting from that, what can be upgraded? I haven't seen any kits with this kind of plugs to be available.
Originally Posted by eddieo45
Bluetooth circa 2006 connects two devices only. Your HU says it's connected; does your phone? If so, have you tried a test call? Have someone call your phone while it's connected to Bluetooth; it should mute the radio (which must be on). Answer the call using the phone button on the steering wheel and you should hear the caller over the audio system.
I installed OEM Bluetooth into my 2006 CLK350. The systems of that era required a Bluetooth "puck" to be installed in the console, which looked like the photos below. Earlier, pre-Bluetooth Benzes I've owned had handsfree capability but required the use of a proprietary Mercedes-branded Motorola phone like the StarTac, Timeport and V60. Yours looks more like the even older versions of the console mounted phones with the classic "curly cord".
When I had the mobile phone connected via Bluetooth, on the comand display it shows as connected, but not on the phone.
How exactly did you connect your mobile phone to the Bluetooth?
@Tsumi, you have a 2006 R-Class as well, do you have Bluetooth?? I searched an owner's manual online and the word "Bluetooth" doesn't appear to be in it: https://www.manualowl.com/am/Mercede.../Download/1414
I confess I know nothing about the R-Class; I've just started to look into it as a possible alternative to an ML-Class, as supplies are low and prices high.
How exactly did you connect your mobile phone to the Bluetooth?
@Tsumi, you have a 2006 R-Class as well, do you have Bluetooth?? I searched an owner's manual online and the word "Bluetooth" doesn't appear to be in it: https://www.manualowl.com/am/Mercede.../Download/1414
I confess I know nothing about the R-Class; I've just started to look into it as a possible alternative to an ML-Class, as supplies are low and prices high.
I ripped out all the original Mercedes stuff, including the bluetooth unit, and replaced it with an Android head unit.
ML, GL, and R class are pretty much electrically identical. Parts that are different are different due to different physical shapes and/or buttons.
Emanuel (I assume that's your correct spelling), I can't account for why that phone is in your 2006 car; I've been in the wireless industry since the early 1990's and that phone looks like something from that "1G" era! I did a search of the R-Class forums for "Bluetooth" and found this video in a post. Is this how you got your COMAND to say "Bluetooth connected"?
Mercedes Benz R 320CDI 2006 Long version Luxury package
Still pairing while on the radio it shows Connected Connected... apparently PIN request on the phone PIN request here Select the device SERV/Bluetooth
Originally Posted by eddieo45
Emanuel (I assume that's your correct spelling), I can't account for why that phone is in your 2006 car; I've been in the wireless industry since the early 1990's and that phone looks like something from that "1G" era! I did a search of the R-Class forums for "Bluetooth" and found this video in a post. Is this how you got your COMAND to say "Bluetooth connected"?
Hello.
Yes, my name is Emanuel(my phone is a bit funny sometimes, it switches characters when I type fast, it happens often and I have no idea why). Well, the phone seems to be there and it looks OEM. I have tried a SIM card (old style) and it works fine, but it is inconvenient for the driver and doesn't look good for road cameras of cops cars passing nearby. The mobile phone is connected to the car following the classic sequence. Radio's SERV menu/Bluetooth/search for devices, once my mobile phone is listed, I press OK, on the phone a PIN code is required, type 1234 on the phone then on the radio the same pin is required, 1234 again, then it shows Connected, as in the picture. Now I am asking: is there another way to do it? I'm completely confused, I am not a newbie in this field(Google assistant supported speakers configured in my entire home, Philips Hue lighting set up and working all over the house, smart home appliances connected, home automation, custom NFC devices and the list is endless).
Regarding the Bluetooth connection on my car, I found only one way to do it, described above.
Mercedes Benz R 320CDI 2006 Long version Luxury package
Originally Posted by eddieo45
How exactly did you connect your mobile phone to the Bluetooth?
@Tsumi, you have a 2006 R-Class as well, do you have Bluetooth?? I searched an owner's manual online and the word "Bluetooth" doesn't appear to be in it: https://www.manualowl.com/am/Mercede.../Download/1414
I confess I know nothing about the R-Class; I've just started to look into it as a possible alternative to an ML-Class, as supplies are low and prices high.
Well, there is only one way to connect to the Bluetooth. I have uploaded the process-pictures a minute ago on this thread. I couldn't find another way to establish the connection, but it seems to be only half way done....
Mercedes Benz R 320CDI 2006 Long version Luxury package
Originally Posted by Tsumi
I ripped out all the original Mercedes stuff, including the bluetooth unit, and replaced it with an Android head unit.
Regarding the sound quality, what are the gains and losses? I have done some reseaches and the steering wheel controls are still working with the adaptor included. Can you adjust the time from the android unit as you did with the OEM unit? On my unit, I have an option to use the rear DVD player as a sound source for the entire audio system, so the movie played on the head rests can be heard in the car, not only on the headphones connected to the head rest monitors.
Well, the phone seems to be there and it looks OEM. I have tried a SIM card (old style) and it works fine, but it is inconvenient for the driver and doesn't look good for road cameras of cops cars passing nearby.
I would've assumed a hard-wired OEM phone would have hands-free feature, even without Bluetooth. That was the whole reason I got an MB-branded Timeport BITD.
Originally Posted by Emnauel.toma
The mobile phone is connected to the car following the classic sequence. Radio's SERV menu/Bluetooth/search for devices, once my mobile phone is listed, I press OK, on the phone a PIN code is required, type 1234 on the phone then on the radio the same pin is required, 1234 again, then it shows Connected, as in the picture. Now I am asking: is there another way to do it? I'm completely confused, I am not a newbie in this field(Google assistant supported speakers configured in my entire home, Philips Hue lighting set up and working all over the house, smart home appliances connected, home automation, custom NFC devices and the list is endless).
I actually think you may be TOO savvy! You've got to get your head back to 2006 (or maybe 2004, since MB has never been on the cutting edge of technology. Why is the PIN 1234? When my older MBs required a PIN it was always 62872 (that's MBUSA on a phone's keypad). Maybe try that?
I have tried a SIM card (old style) and it works fine, but it is inconvenient for the driver and doesn't look good for road cameras of cops cars passing nearby.
Originally Posted by Emnauel.toma
THe 1234 PIN was randomly used. I have tried the 62872 pin, as I have read a while ago on other forums, I've even tried a similar PIN 62323(MBECE similar to MBUSA as this might be a germand edition model, I live in Germany btw, and the car is the german edition). I will try to find/buy a mobile phone produced around 2006.
Forgive my SIM card ignorance; back in the 20th Century when I had to have a grasp of cellular phone technology Verizon and it's predecessors didn't use them, and now that they do, I handle real estate in the industry and don't need to really know the technology.
The SIM card turns the phone into your phone, right? I mean, you insert your SIM card into that hardwired phone and it becomes the phone number, data plan, etc. associated with your wireless account, right? If that's the case, why not skip Bluetooth and see if you can receive a call in the car by pressing the "answer call" button on the steering wheel without picking up the handset....?
Last edited by eddieo45; Jun 14, 2022 at 09:13 AM.
Regarding the sound quality, what are the gains and losses? I have done some reseaches and the steering wheel controls are still working with the adaptor included. Can you adjust the time from the android unit as you did with the OEM unit? On my unit, I have an option to use the rear DVD player as a sound source for the entire audio system, so the movie played on the head rests can be heard in the car, not only on the headphones connected to the head rest monitors.
I have the Harmon Kardon system with the optical fiber connection. I got one of those MOST adapters and used it to connect the Android system to the optical fiber system. Sound is fine though bass is a little lacking with bluetooth streaming.
There are auxiliary inputs that you can use for input from the rear DVD.
No, I don't think you can adjust the gauge cluster clock from the android head unit. I used Xentry to disable navigation on the gauge cluster so I can adjust the clock directly from the gauge cluster menus.
Mercedes Benz R 320CDI 2006 Long version Luxury package
Originally Posted by eddieo45
I would've assumed a hard-wired OEM phone would have hands-free feature, even without Bluetooth. That was the whole reason I got an MB-branded Timeport BITD.
I actually think you may be TOO savvy! You've got to get your head back to 2006 (or maybe 2004, since MB has never been on the cutting edge of technology. Why is the PIN 1234? When my older MBs required a PIN it was always 62872 (that's MBUSA on a phone's keypad). Maybe try that?
THe 1234 PIN was randomly used. I have tried the 62872 pin, as I have read a while ago on other forums, I've even tried a similar PIN 62323(MBECE similar to MBUSA as this might be a germand edition model, I live in Germany btw, and the car is the german edition). I will try to find/buy a mobile phone produced around 2006.
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