SLK/R170: Another cd changer question
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Another cd changer question
I just purchased a 2000 slk w/o a cd changer. I purchased a changer from the internet previously for this car. I found a post somewhere that stated all I had to do to install it was to combine the cd fiber optics into the same connector at the head unit and the changer. The head unit already had the changer in one connector but the changer end had to be combined. the head unit doesn't see the changer. Am I condemned to the dealer? Anyone have any ideas
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From: Minnesota
'99 SLK 230
Shine a light down each fiber to make sure that you have them conencted correctly. There are multiple cables to allow different configurations and its easy to get them mixed up. I did not require the dealer to do anything to get mine to work.
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From: Australia
Originally Posted by dmfslk
Thanx for the response ****B. Does it matter the position of the HU-IN & HU-OUT cables in the connector at the changer?
Did you actually make a splice anywhere along the fibre loop to make the changer included ? Since it would seem that everything is plugged in but the optical loop is not correctly expanded or it is opened somewhere and now cant work as a loop.
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From: Minnesota
'99 SLK 230
Well, actually, you can. You may need to disassemble the black housings to rearrange the individual fiber pairs. If you do you could inadvertently swap the pairs. The red lens must be closest to the bevel.
Attached is a schematic. The 'standard' configuration shows the way my car was configured, which was for both CD changer and telephone (neither option was installed). The black fibers form a loop from head unit to changer to telephone and back to head unit. This is what you need if you have both options installed. Note that if you were to install only one option (CD), the loop is broken and it will not work.
See the blue fibers? They are spares, in place to allow a loop connection from head unit to CD and back OR head unit to telephone and back. But, they are not usable as is. In either case, CD or telephone, you must reconfigure the pairs of fibers at both the head unit and the option location. If you don't you will not have a complete loop. It is possible to swap red and white while doing this.
BTW I installed my CD in the phone location, so don't let the schematic confuse you in that regard.
Attached is a schematic. The 'standard' configuration shows the way my car was configured, which was for both CD changer and telephone (neither option was installed). The black fibers form a loop from head unit to changer to telephone and back to head unit. This is what you need if you have both options installed. Note that if you were to install only one option (CD), the loop is broken and it will not work.
See the blue fibers? They are spares, in place to allow a loop connection from head unit to CD and back OR head unit to telephone and back. But, they are not usable as is. In either case, CD or telephone, you must reconfigure the pairs of fibers at both the head unit and the option location. If you don't you will not have a complete loop. It is possible to swap red and white while doing this.
BTW I installed my CD in the phone location, so don't let the schematic confuse you in that regard.
Last edited by DickB; Feb 26, 2005 at 08:43 PM.
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From: Socal
06' Clk 500 Cabriolet, 01' CL 55, 00' Clk 430
Originally Posted by dmfslk
the head unit doesn't see the changer. Anyone have any ideas
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thanx for the diagram, it did the trick. once i traced the wires with the light and repositioned them in the connectors it came right up. The wire labels are a mixture cd & telephone. This the link that got me screwed up. http://www.slk32.com/pages/cdinstall/cdinstall.html
Can you also tell me what weight synthetic oil you use? I don't have any documentation other than the hardcover owners manual and that refers to some other manual. I want to start fresh since i don't know when the oil was changed last. Thanks again you're the best
Can you also tell me what weight synthetic oil you use? I don't have any documentation other than the hardcover owners manual and that refers to some other manual. I want to start fresh since i don't know when the oil was changed last. Thanks again you're the best
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From: Australia
Originally Posted by ****B
Well, actually, you can. You may need to disassemble the black housings to rearrange the individual fiber pairs. If you do you could inadvertently swap the pairs. The red lens must be closest to the bevel.
I honestly dont know how you can get it wrong with the headunit connector and expansion cable for reference.
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From: Australia
Originally Posted by ****B
See the blue fibers? They are spares, in place to allow a loop connection from head unit to CD and back OR head unit to telephone and back. But, they are not usable as is. In either case, CD or telephone, you must reconfigure the pairs of fibers at both the head unit and the option location. If you don't you will not have a complete loop. It is possible to swap red and white while doing this.
Being German there is in fact a logical order to the process. The order of connections does not in fact matter all that much if you own a STAR diagnose. But if you want to save yourself the trouble then there is in fact one DEFAULT order which is specific to a car.
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From: Australia
D2B version coding DEFAULT device order
As this is the factory instruction there is variation possible by leaving out devices not installed. Reversing the order should be updated into the head unit configuration for later trouble shooting.
Each car has its own default.
Each car has its own default.
Last edited by miroj; Feb 27, 2005 at 05:06 AM.
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From: Minnesota
'99 SLK 230
Originally Posted by miroj
Probably the least useful diagram I have ever seen in my whole Benz existance.
Originally Posted by miroj
It is completely wrong for several cars apart from the one that it is valid for - and that isnt obvious given that this mystical blue system doesnt exist !
Attached is a photo of my car at the CD changer position. The 'mystical' blue fiber and extra connector with only one fiber can be clearly be seen, right next to the black pair as per my schematic. I used the blue and black colors only to distinguish the normal versus backup fibers; of course all the fibers are orange in actuality. Perhaps that was a point of confusion for which I could have been more clear. My apologies. Sounds like dmfslk was able to comprehend this. My SLK, as I understand all US models are, was built with all necessary fiber optic cables in place to allow reconfiguring to any possible combination of phone and CD options. The 'mystical' system does exist. Some of us have practical experience with our cars doing the things of which we speak and have not just limited ourselves to reading manuals. You might give that some consideration in the future before making statements that are simply not correct, particularly with a condescending tone.
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For the record. The red and white ends are reversable at the cd changer connection, the guide tabs line up in either position. To Miroj's point the wire that was left over which i combined by using the incorrect instructions (the link that i posted), has a tab that doesn't fit but the connector can still be closed. Even though it was forced i assummed that this must be normal because it was a work around the dealer. Thanks again ****b. p.s i like the color blue, maybe thats why i had no problem
