Rear Entertainment retrofit - seat swap - No 866 code
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
From: PA
2010 R350 4matic
Rear Entertainment retrofit - seat swap - No 866 code
Hi all,
I own two 2010 R350's. One has a blown engine, but it does have the 2-screen rear entertainment system (RSE) installed. The other vehicle runs great, so I was planning to swap the front seats and get the rear screens working. However, I used the WIS software and determined that the good car does NOT have the RSE pre-wiring option (SA Code 866). As a result, the wire harness that connects under the passenger seat is missing [two] connectors, presumably for the screen [I didn't check the driver seat]. There is a procedure in WIS to retrofit the RSE, but it requires the 866 option. There also seems to be a procedure the retrofit the cable harness, which includes modification to the rear fuse box, but the only part number shown is for a connector kit. All I want to do is use the rear displays for the COMAND DVD. I don't need or want another DVD player, but using the COMAND DVD may add a complexity due to the "video in motion" restraint.
I was hoping this would be a simple task, but as a former engineer, I tend to go down rabbit holes for an ultimate solution and forget the problem to be solved, so I thought I'd toss up here to see if anyone has any input. As I see it, there are several questions:
1. Exactly what components are part of the 866 prewire option? Is it a different harness, or additional cables?
2. If it's just additional cables, where do they attach to the head unit?
3. Does anyone know where I can find part numbers for the cables?
I believe enabling the RES requires coding with DAS (which I have), but I don't want to reinvent the wheel if I don't have to.
Any insights would be appreciated.
Jim
I own two 2010 R350's. One has a blown engine, but it does have the 2-screen rear entertainment system (RSE) installed. The other vehicle runs great, so I was planning to swap the front seats and get the rear screens working. However, I used the WIS software and determined that the good car does NOT have the RSE pre-wiring option (SA Code 866). As a result, the wire harness that connects under the passenger seat is missing [two] connectors, presumably for the screen [I didn't check the driver seat]. There is a procedure in WIS to retrofit the RSE, but it requires the 866 option. There also seems to be a procedure the retrofit the cable harness, which includes modification to the rear fuse box, but the only part number shown is for a connector kit. All I want to do is use the rear displays for the COMAND DVD. I don't need or want another DVD player, but using the COMAND DVD may add a complexity due to the "video in motion" restraint.
I was hoping this would be a simple task, but as a former engineer, I tend to go down rabbit holes for an ultimate solution and forget the problem to be solved, so I thought I'd toss up here to see if anyone has any input. As I see it, there are several questions:
1. Exactly what components are part of the 866 prewire option? Is it a different harness, or additional cables?
2. If it's just additional cables, where do they attach to the head unit?
3. Does anyone know where I can find part numbers for the cables?
I believe enabling the RES requires coding with DAS (which I have), but I don't want to reinvent the wheel if I don't have to.
Any insights would be appreciated.
Jim
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
From: PA
2010 R350 4matic
The WIS manual contains the procedure to retrofit the rear screens, but it assumes the prewiring option. The pinouts on the head unit seem to show the connections for left and right video output. I don't care about individual audio or video from the back seat. All I want is the DVD to display on the rear screens with the audio from the main cabin speakers. There is a WIS procedure to get power to the LCDs from the rear fuse panel that requires a new wire and an increase amperage fuse, but I didn't go crazy looking into it.
