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ok, does that mean the cd changer wasnt working (never used it) and can it work with new unit?what about the Metra steering wheel controls do they have and install?
sorry for wearing you out, i do appreciate you replies.
The original cd changer worked with the old Comand unit. I removed it when i did my conversion to the new head unit because i don't use cd's and longer. The old cd changer does not work with the new unit. I added the Metra steering wheel control unit myself after the new JVC unit had been installed at the recommendation of another forum user. There are instructions earlier in this thread that detail how to install the Metra unit.
You will need to pull the head unit out to gain access to the electronics that communicate with the steering wheel that are pictured in the Metra unit instructions posted earlier in this thread. It can be purchased and installed by Best Buy. I purchased mine on Amazon.
If you’re prepared to connect to the head unit by wired usb for Apple CarPlay and don’t need a built in sat Nav but just use google maps from your phone then there’s plenty much cheaper stuff around - maybe not Pioneer as they had a fire at the factory last November so very little stock around. Cheapest here in the UK around £350 - £400
thanks all, sounds like the way to go. i just want to be guided down the road while listening to music with the top down once again. i once had a '99 ml that came with more conveinences radio wise then this 2003 top of the line sl
Well it’s now in. GPS, microphone and DAB radio aerials all fitted and success with the steering wheel controls as well. Didn’t realise the correct wires were sitting there all the time in a redundant connector from the old Comand 2.0 unit. The 18 pin connector in the previous picture I shared was hidden in a shroud which locks the connector in place. Needed to read a Comand 2.0 wiring diagram to confirm that the wires I needed were in fact red and brown at pins 8 and 9. Anyway all fitted now and even have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so only need to plug the phone in if it’s needing charged. Happy days. Pics attached
hi, I'm a newbie to this forum. I purchased a 2003 SL500 a year ago and the already swapped out radio head unit recently went out. the Kenwood unit was most likely installed years ago and is no longer in production. I would like to replace it with another unit and want to know what unit i could "almost" plug n play. there was a previous thread regarding a Pioneer AVIC that was mentioned which has all the conveinences i want (blue tooth, GPS, apply play, etc).
question will this fit and how hard is the install?? i'm in central florida area and will drive to whomever and where ever to have it done. enclosed is the exisiting unit.
existing unit burnt out want to replace, any suggesstions? want bluetooth, gps, apple play, mirroring. in central florida, who, what, where can install.. thanks
Have you considered a newer kenwood? I have installed the Kenwood DMX906s in both my SL55 and SLK32 (and a similar kenwood in my F250) and I am pretty happy with them. I actually pulled a pioneer (avic # ?) from my F250 and for me the kenwood is more user frienldly.
Chris
Get looks great, so you went with pioneer unit? Did it mesh with command or with cd changer? I went with JVC ( pioneer sold out here) for cost replacement. May reconsider
Jmontie21.. what or where did you place the usb connection for the cell phone ( front plate) for the 750BT unit which connects and charges the phone? On the 550BT unit it on the face plate of the unit. ??
Jmontie21.. what or where did you place the usb connection for the cell phone ( front plate) for the 750BT unit which connects and charges the phone? On the 550BT unit it on the face plate of the unit. ??
I don't use the cigarette lighter, so I put this in for the USB
Get looks great, so you went with pioneer unit? Did it mesh with command or with cd changer? I went with JVC ( pioneer sold out here) for cost replacement. May reconsider
there is nothing that will "mesh" with the command or cd changer in a 2003 R230.
you can change the programming for your clock so that you can correct the time from your steering wheel controls (now that you no longer have command to set it with).
You need Star with Developer mode
The following will enable you to set the hours/minutes in the menu where you normally can only shift between 12H/24H formats
Go to:
"Control units"
"Information and communication"
"ICM - Instument cluster with maintenance interval display"
"Diagnosis to plant specifications"
"Control unit adaptations"
"Control unit adaptations (variant coding)"
"Variantenkodierung Werkseinstellungen"
Scroll down and set "Uhrenverstellung" to "enable"
unit Supplies usb connect wire, where did you get power for second? Cig lighter isn’t a usb connect is it?
all the kenwoods I have used have 2 usbs (assumed JVC would as well since they are the same company). I also installed this USB fast charger that you can power off of the cig light power (and in turn, plug the second cable from the previously linked double usb port into it)
So one usb will connect to unit (mirror/charge) other spliced into cig lighter terminal ? I ve had fuses blown to the cig from plug in usb adaptors.
well, can't comment on the usb adapters you have used, but I do wonder if you have the correct cigar lighter fuse in place. The unit I linked could NEVER pull more power than the factory lighter (more like 1/10 the power).
Only one usb connect on the jvc unit. Any plug in usb power adapter for the cell, they have blown the fuse several times. During unit install will tell if there has been some “jerry rigging” at that terminal as there was already a replacement unit installed. Anyway takes for the heads up! Btw I ordered both 1&2 usb lighter kits and the metra axess from Amazon. 👍 to be installed next Monday by Best Buy “best” installer. To be continued..
So now onto my next adventure: replace and update radio unit in my 2000 corvette z51 which has Bose system also.. ugh
Get looks great, so you went with pioneer unit? Did it mesh with command or with cd changer? I went with JVC ( pioneer sold out here) for cost replacement. May reconsider
Pioneer more or less sold out here too but managed to find the AVIC-Z 9030DABS online. It doesn’t mesh but if you don’t have the Bose amp then the standard ISO connectors A and B on the Comand unit plug straight in and amp and speakers can all be used. I had to wire in a separate ignition +ve feed for both the head unit and the steering wheel controls adapter. CD changer in the bin as it’s the fibre optic part of the Comand system. Whole Pioneer system pretty intuitive.
Jmontie21.. what or where did you place the usb connection for the cell phone ( front plate) for the 750BT unit which connects and charges the phone? On the 550BT unit it on the face plate of the unit. ??
I actually ran the usb/apple lightning cable through the center console near the shifter to the center storage box. I put it into the upper portion of the storage box. When I get in the car I connect the cable and close the lid. I feel safer as the phone is completely out of reach and since I have Apple CarPlay I can use voice commands to send messages or ask siri for directions. It works very well for me.
After an attempt to install the JVC HU which had a bad interface, I went with Kenwood DNX 577S. This was only unit available at Best Buy that wasn’t over 1k since most good units are sold out or not in stock ( everywhere). Install wasn’t bad even after seeing the Gerry Rig wiring by the previous installer. No problems, Bluetooth, apple car play, phone, it has GPS installed and steering wheel works. Only the sound doesn’t seem as full and can’t seem to pan to rear speakers ( if any). Anyway now I’m in the new age at least.
LanceDal,
1. I used a model specific, double DIN bezel from Spiral Audio. It looks very factory. I'll attach a photo.
2. We used the microphone that came with the JVC unit. Photo attached.
3. Didn't do the backup camera yet. Going to do it later. Install guy has done them but significant job with the way the trunk and roof move so much during operation.
Hope that helps. It's between the dials in front of the dimmer for the instrument panel.
what was the specific bezel you used from Spiral Audio? The metra 95-8729B is too large and requires the wood trim to be cut.
I have a 2005 SL500 and have just upgraded to an Android 10 model that was a plug n play custom fit for my car.
Bought from Amazon it’s a XISEDO 9inch in Dash Head Unit Car Radio, GPS, nav with Fibre decoder. Cost was around $599. It’s a straight swap for old head unit and a perfect fit%. You do lose your cup holders but a small price to pay for the improvement. My car has Bose speakers. Instructions not great but any decent electrician should have no problems. Connects to my iPhone wifi for Spotify, app download, real time google maps etc. Very happy with it.
05-30-2021, 11:17 AM
