Bought my 2007 S550 with the Carplay apparatus already installed. I've never been able to use it and the previous owner couldn't remember how to turn it on. Watched several Youtube videos describing how to use the thing but nothing so far has been successful. No "jacks" or RCA adapters in the glovebox, only a Apple interface cord that attaches into the phone charging port.

Today I pulled the dash apart and found the module tucked underneath the CD player. No names, manufacturer, serial/model numbers anywhere on the unit, the only label is a "Quality Product/America





" sticker.

I'm hoping someone will recognize the thing and fill me in on it's operation.

 

look for mid city engineering - they made the first one 10 years before the ones worth having came out

maybe its one of them https://www.midcityengineering.com/

 

Translation: he knew it was broken but didn't want to tell you?
Most of these carplay things work by pressing some buttons around the center comand knob simultaniously.

 

Certainly appears broken LOL. I'm sure the unit isn't top quality

 

My aftermarket unit is called LIMCET. It is fitted to my 2013 S500 and has been working perfectly for over 3 years.

It sits behind the command screen inside the dashboard and is supplied with the interface cabling so that
it physically and electronically sits between the screen and the vehicle system. This allows it to use the existing vehicle buttons and controls
without any problems.

I can switch between Command and it, by long pressing the Tel/Nav button on the console. I then use all the MB controls, like back, wheel
normally ton control all the functions and to use Airplay or Android Auto. It does need pairing initially as it uses both WiFi and Bluetooth
for the connection between it and your phone. Once paired, future connections take place automatically once you start the engine.

My wife's Audi has the same system and she switches between Audi MMI and Limcet by long press on the "Menu" button on her console.
IT has been working for over 3 years as well. This is even after Audi staff told us it wasn't possible. When I showed them how it worked,
They wanted to know who installed it, so they could offer it to their customers.

I suggest you plug it back in, make sure it is powered up and then do long presses on your Tel/Nav button and all the other buttons in the
centre console or dashboard, to see if your screen suddenly changes to the other menu. You will then get icons such as settings / Android / Car play etc.
and your normal MB control buttons should allow you to move around and select options.

Once you get in, look for a Bluetooth option and make sure you pair your phone to it.

Once you trigger the Apple or Android connection, go back to your phone and look for a wifi signal and pair to it.
Then look at your phones Bluetooth app and connect to any bluetooth device that has appeared near you.
In my case, both the wifi and bluetooth connections are labelled Limcet xxxx....

Good luck.

 

>> LIMCET

Mine is also a Limcet and I have it for 2 yrs or so, works great. Very reliable and works.

Did you by chance figure out a way to make the phone (i.e. inbound calls) come in / get routed to the MB PhoneSystem bluetooth "path" per se , rather than to the Limcet/Carplay path?

Thanks

 

Hi 735,

After a lot of mucking around, I found out that my Japanese spec car did not have what i would term ‘modern’ Bluetooth capabilities. The existing telephone module and wiring in the glovebox is country specific and very old technology from 2010-2013. None of it was compatible with modern mobile phones. This is what led me to find the LIMCET kit.

The LIMCET unit picks up incoming calls, routes them to the car via the LIMCET and allows me to use the steering wheel buttons to pick up, hang up and adjust call volume, without losing my WAZE navigation screen. The only thing that does not work, is the keypad on the centre console. But I would never use that while driving anyway and my phone takes voice commands, so I don’t need to touch the physical keypad anyway.

So, I don’t want or need to use the MB Bluetooth path. Is there some reason you wish to ?
Regards,

 

>> So, I don’t want or need to use the MB Bluetooth path. Is there some reason you wish to ?

Yes, in fact I want to use the MB Bluetooth path for the following reasons:

a) I don't want my calls going through the Limcet because I don't have a microphone, or rather, I didn't wish to mount the microphone, it was not pleasant to the eyes..
b) I already have the original MB Tel and it works perfectly, with excellent sound quality on the receiving end as well. Coincidentally my SL also has the MB Tel and even with the top down, the other party can hear me perfectly and a full conversation is possible without background noise.

In order to use the Limcet for Tel, I'd need to mount a 2nd microphone in the cabin.. Would have been nice if I could have used the MB mic somehow..

 

OK, that makes sense now.

Without knowing what you may have already attempted......

I think the Limcet mic is a separate cable. I have hidden mine under the windscreen trim and it is invisible.

Perhaps identify the MB mic, I think it will be near the central rear view mirror, near the mic air holes.
If you can find the MB mic wires, I would attempt to splice into them with the Limcet mic lead and then connect it to the limcet
box, so that effectively, it piggy backs on the MB mic.

Possible issues? If the MB mic needs power, the LIM box may not provide it....

But if both the MB mic and the LIMCET mic and wire are only 2 wires, then it may work.

I am curious. Let me know if you have any success please.

Edit:
Without going into the science of accoustics, the Limcet, (or any other mic), doesn't have to be visible. It just needs to receive 'sound' or airwaves from close to your mouth or face.
If it is concealed in some part of the trim, or the A Pillar on your side of the car, it should work quite well.

But I can't talk about the quality of the Lim mic, compared to the MB mic. Especially since you have an open top car and lots of wind noise.
Though I think my Lim mike has a windsock fitted around it???

Regards,

 

No, the module will recognize my phone and asks for my log in code but refuses to connect.