xtianpel

Hello,

I need some help.

I had COMAND removed from my car (2004 SL 500) and replaced it with a Pioneer AVIC-Z130BT (which I'm thrilled about by the way).

Now I cannot set the clock on the dashboard.

I took the car to two different places that have the Star Diagnosis System and they cannot find the option to enable controlling the clock through the Instrument Cluster.

Can anyone tell me if this option is available and how to enable it?
What menu do they have to go to to enable that option using the SDS computer?

Thank you.

BMS

The answer was posted about 2 months ago. I forget who, but thanks. Disconnect your batteries and reconnect at 12:00 noon. Bingo! Clock is now correct! I had the same problem and it works perfectly.

xtianpel

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I was looking for the actual menu links to navigate to using the Mercedes computer to program the car to enable controlling the clock through the Instrument Cluster.

I believe I read somewhere (perhaps in the same posting you're referring to) that it is possible and if the operator knows what they're doing they should be able to figure it out. Unfortunatelly the person I took it to was not able to find the correct menu options to enable this feature and gave up.

My dealer doesn't want to do it because I had COMAND removed and I installed an aftermarket unit.

Richard

When you have COMAND the NAV menu is on, and the cluster is told to 'Time Sync with head unit'.

Dealer needs to put Star Diagnosis on the car, go to Instrument Cluster -> Control unit adaptations and then set Navigation to 'Not Present'

That will remove the NAV menu, and hopefully re-enable the time menus.

I have seen occasions where it didnt re-enable the time menu, and then I used 'developer mode' (which dealer does not have) to re-enable it, but if it doesn work, I suggest dealer looks in the individual Key preference settings (also in the cluster coding) (there are 3 of them), and if 'Time Sync with Head unit' is there, turns all 3 of them to OFF and resets the cluster.

They can also set TEL and Audio to Not Present to remove the TEL and Audio menus if they are now useless with the head unit change.

Cheers

RIchard

xtianpel

Hi Richard, thank you very much for the information.

Indeed, I had NAV turned off and it did not re-enable the time menu.

I will have them look in the Individual Key Preference settings (I assume that's a menu option, right?) and see if they find that option to turn it off. You mentioned there are 3 options. Do you know what the options are? I'm sorry, these people seem to be very limited in their knowledge and I seem to have to do the research myself to do this.
If that doesn't work though, what is "Developer Mode" and how do I access it?

Does anyone know anyone in the Los Angeles area that would know how to do this?

Thank you. At least I know it's possible, now I have to find someone that can do it

Richard

Theres 1 option, but there are 3 keys worth of settings. If you have 'key depencancy' turned on, keys 1 and 2 are what is assigned to your 2 keys, if its off it uses the key 3 settings.

The key settings are in the same coding menu structure ...

Developer mode can not be done by the Mercedes dealers .. only a very serious independant can do that ..

R

xtianpel

Thank you so very much Richard. This is invaluable information since nobody around here seems to know any of this.

I appreciate it very much. I will let you know once I can contact someone that can make these changes for me to see how things went.

Once again, I can't thank you enough for taking the time to reply with this info.

xtianpel

Hi Richard,

Unfortunately, we accessed the menu you described and "Time Sync with Head Unit" was not there, so we could not turn it off.

Do you have any other suggestions?

Thank you again.

Tonydoc55

Hi,
I just purchased a 2004 sl500 and am thinking about swatting out the command with a 'super-duper' pioneer system that includes touch screen navigation, blue tooth, ipod, upgraded sound and speakers and possibly a rear license plate-positioned camera. Are you happy with your new system. Is anyone concerned about my doing this given the use of aftermarket parts. Will this of apparatus potentially be harmful to the battery systems or overall electronics of the car. The outfit that does this has been around for 30 yrs and works on very high-end cars (eg, Ferrari, Lambos etc).
Thanks

jmejones

I went through this months ago. With an 04 there is no way tondo it by the menu or diagnostic. Unless it was a later 04 that has the 05 command.

Tonydoc55

Thanks. What about a top flight iphone/ipod bluetooth apparatus?

xtianpel

I'm very happy with my setup. It's the Pioneer Z130BT. Here's a link:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...on/AVIC-Z130BT
They also installed the rear-view camera.
They made it so that I even retained Steering Wheel functionality.

If you're in the Los Angeles area I can recommend the people who did it for me, Pacific Stereo in Woodland Hills, 818-610-1000, ask for Steve.

Good luck! It's worth the money.

xtianpel

That's really dissapointing.
There's really no other alternative than to disconnect the battery and reconnect it at Midnight or Noon then, huh? That seems so ridiculous, but oh well.
Thanks for the info.

Stoofpilot

Can you post a pictures showing how the Pioneer unit looks in the space the command center use to be. How did they deal with the curved corners?

Tonydoc55

Thanks for the info. I have read some pretty scary assessments about this Pioneer unit, including inferior sound quality, incredible delays with ipod, blue tooth and navigation functionalities. Have you experienced any of these untoward events? Did you have any concerns about the set-up adversely affecting other electronic/non-electronic components? Lastly, what was your final tab after all was said and done. Thanks for the feedback.

xtianpel

I will in the next few days.

xtianpel

I cannot say I've experienced anything negative.

The whole setup was about $3,200, including the XM Tuner, Rear View Camera, Amp, Steering Wheel Controls, and, of course, the unit itself.

I'm loving it.

khybs

If I may, did you look at the Kenwood 9980HD to compare? Will the Pioneer Z130BT reroute you around traffic automatically?

PavementPounder

If you check the link that was posted, it indicates that is has "Intelligent Re-Route".

I have a 2004 SL600, so I'd like to see the pic of the unit installed, too. I'm hesitant to disturb the dash and I have read that installing a later COMAND is a huge pain in the ***.

xtianpel

Here are some pictures as I promised...

xtianpel

I did and based on the features I went with the Pioneer.
Yes, it will reroute you.

Stoofpilot

You are fortunate to have an audio installer that knew what they were doing. Where did you get the frame that fits the look and feel of the Command opening?

Nice job.

xtianpel

Steve from Pacific Stereo in Woodland Hills 818-610-1000 custom made it.

Thank you! Yes, I was very lucky. He's a great guy.

khybs

That looks fantastic! I've been looking around my area (Anaheim Hills) for a place where I could play with a Pioneer demo unit in the store but I can't seem to find it. Where did you get to play with the head unit before going ahead with the install? If I have to come to LA to do this and have the install, I will given yours looks great!

xtianpel

I didn't get to play with it before proceeding with the installation. I was sold by reading about the features and I was not disappointed after the installation.

I'd be happy to show it to you in my car. Send me a private message with your phone if you're interested and I'll call you to chat or maybe do a Skype (or FaceTime if you have an iPhone), I can show it to you remotely.

I'm telling you I'm loving it, and Steve is awesome. I wouldn't trust my car to anyone else.