Hi Folks,
I've had my 'new' car for a month or so now - lovely 2002 SL500 with 60k miles and (apart from both rear ABC struts - now replaced) in great condition.
Problem is the previous (UK) owner fitted a Rupse/Seicane Android GPS/radio unit (HL8817) WITHOUT a canbus adaptor, so the steering wheel controls, clock and parking sensors don't work. I presume my car has the base factory radio install - i.e. not Bose of HK - so I know the CD changer won't work, but I'd like the other features to. It's also draining the battery at around 1.5a when turned off - even with the radio removed (I don't have the COMAND head to revert) and wonder if there are any components under the rear CD compartment that are powered as unswitched?
So various questions for you experts - the biggest being: has anyone found a generic canbus adaptor for Android (Chinese) radios? I can see some online for Pioneer/Sony/Kenwood etc but I could be wasting money buying one that's incompatible.
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Thanks
Stu
Isle of Man
(near the UK but not part of it!)
I've had my 'new' car for a month or so now - lovely 2002 SL500 with 60k miles and (apart from both rear ABC struts - now replaced) in great condition.
Problem is the previous (UK) owner fitted a Rupse/Seicane Android GPS/radio unit (HL8817) WITHOUT a canbus adaptor, so the steering wheel controls, clock and parking sensors don't work. I presume my car has the base factory radio install - i.e. not Bose of HK - so I know the CD changer won't work, but I'd like the other features to. It's also draining the battery at around 1.5a when turned off - even with the radio removed (I don't have the COMAND head to revert) and wonder if there are any components under the rear CD compartment that are powered as unswitched?
So various questions for you experts - the biggest being: has anyone found a generic canbus adaptor for Android (Chinese) radios? I can see some online for Pioneer/Sony/Kenwood etc but I could be wasting money buying one that's incompatible.
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Thanks
Stu
Isle of Man
(near the UK but not part of it!)
carguyshu
Super Member
close
May 14, 2026
the clock and parking sensors should work without an adapter. the clock must be set now with a STAR tool or by disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it exactly at 12 o'clock. there are many canbus adapters for the steering wheel controls. it sounds like someone hooked up an amp or something to always on power instead of switched power. for an 02 they would have had to put in an entirely new amp for the headunit to work and either the headunit or amp is using non switched power as the source.
Quote:
Thanks for the input. The Android radio is currently removed (awaiting a generic canbus adaptor - can't find anything model specific for an 02 MY) yet the battery is still drawing 1.5A. Does the 'basic' factory radio install include a separate amp or other COMAND boxes(GPS, phone) under the rear storage bins? If so I wonder if the absence of a signal from the canbus or head unit is leaving them switched on all the time. Also, does the basic (i.e. non-Bose) system still have a subwoofer in the passenger footwell somewhere?Originally Posted by carguyshu
the clock and parking sensors should work without an adapter. the clock must be set now with a STAR tool or by disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it exactly at 12 o'clock. there are many canbus adapters for the steering wheel controls. it sounds like someone hooked up an amp or something to always on power instead of switched power. for an 02 they would have had to put in an entirely new amp for the headunit to work and either the headunit or amp is using non switched power as the source.
