C220 (W203) 2003... 10 way ISO 10 or not?

[omega1]

Hi all,

Apart from taking it apart and looking myself (which I'd rather only do the once to install the stereo), can anyone confirm if the Audio10 in my C220 W203 registered in 2003 will have a 10 way ISO on the stereo wiring or not, as I need to order one of the following adaptor kits for a Kenwood stereo I will be installing, details can be found here:

Mercedes Benz C Class fitting adaptor

I dont know whether to order the steering control adaptor CAW-MB1070 or the CAW-MB1110 depending on whether it has the 10 way ISO or not...

The Audio10 installed is the single CD version.

Thanks in advance.

 

[fabes]

Hi

You still on this project??

I spoke to MB CS in Stuttgart and with my reg number they confirmed the wiring etc

Recommend you give them a call

late 2003 to mid 2004 has the Becker Audio 10 that I have and yes, it has a 10way ISO. They confirmed this on the phone.

Apart from that, nope, you have got to take it out and have a look.

A local Indy or ICE firm might do it foc if you then pay them to install the kit (might be worthwhile unless you are competent) and from what I was told, as well as the part you mention, you will need another lead from Kenwood, for the SWC to work with the new HU

I am hopefully have a DICE FM kit installed as I gave up on the new HU.

Good luck

 

[omega1]

Yes, am determined to do it!

Was considering getting COMAND but am not going down that route and need music in the car! Cant wait any longer!

Mine is May 2003 so it could be either side I guess, worst case scenario I got the wrong one and sell it on Ebay...

Im going for the KDC-W7544U which has the variable colour to match the OEM display and will isntall the Parrot from my old car underneath on a new fascia, shame that model doesnt have built in bluetooth (or the Kenwood add-on is so expensive!).

I'll be doing the installation myself so I guess I can get the HU in and then if it doesnt work out with the SWC I can go back in at a later date after seeing what I face when installing the HU...

OK, will get all ordered and see how it all goes!

Will post back!

 

[omega1]

Just noticed here that Kenwood seem to slim it down more in favour of my May 2003 model for it having 10 way ISO

Kenwood Electronics UK Ltd. | Steering Wheel Adaptors > Stalk Wheel Adaptor List

 

[omega1]

OK, ordered and paid for now so i'll report back when I get it and install!

 

[fabes]

Good Luck

Jealous

I wanted that HU but circumstances changed (tax man)

Keen to see how it looks (just in case....) and how you get round the obvious issues - post photos throughout the install

I am having the DICE FM Modulator installed today when car is in for the B service and will report back on that when in.

Fabes

 

[omega1]

Hi, Yes, will take pics... Had a call this morning saying that one item was out of stock (fascia) so told them to wait unitl they had all three units before sending (HU, fascia and steering column adaptor) and will need some extra connectors for the old parrot as I chopped them off for the old car, anyone know where to get just the connectors from (10 way ISO)?

Ta!

 

[omega1]

Bits arrived today, will try and take old unit out today and then start install tomorrow (after work at 5) and hope to have it finished by Saturday... Will include as many pics and info as possible.

 

[omega1]

PS. Purchased from Kenwood car audio (not sure if allowed to plug places on here?) very impressed with prices, speed of dispatch and delivery. They also called to confirm some details... Hope they can be of use to other users. If i'm not allowed to mention this, please delete and sorry!

 

[omega1]

Right... made a start on this, pics to follow... Just to clarify, the Kenwood HU WILL work with the steering remote controls as I've just tested it. My C220 is a W203, May 2003 and DOES have the ISO connectors, the Kenwood remote control adaptor (CAW-MB1110) simply plugs into the existing connector that went into the Audio10.

Simples!

Pics on how I've managed to take my car apart (and yet to put it back together!) to follow!

 

[omega1]

Ok, first lot of pics... not sure how to write in between them, so i'll write it all here...

First one is how it looked before I started! Hopefuly, it'll look better when I've finished!

Second Pic shows the air vent fully pushed up which lets you get at the screws, the third pic shows the little bits you have to push (towards the sterring wheel) to release them and let them go up to gain access to the screws (maybe these two pics are in the wrong order!). SO you push the little lever in the direction of the steering wheel, and that allows you to push them right up inside and gain access to the screws, one screw on bottom left, one on bottom right. Its a little stiff, which made me worried about breaking something, but it does give...

 

[omega1]

In these pictures, in the first it shows the vents removed.

The second picture shows me pointing to just above the ashtray where there are two more screws. The third picture tries to explain a little further where they are, I didnt manage to get a decent picture...

 

[omega1]

Here the first image shows how the centre unit now pulls forward to allow you to take out the Audio10 unit. This is held in by two screws and simply pulls out. It is quite difficult to get to the connectors at the back of the unit to get it out but a bit of wiggling did it...

As you bring the unit forward, there is a small connector that will need to come out. It goes into the top of the centre console.

Second image shows all the connectors that are attached to the back of the Audio 10 which are:

ISO Power connector
ISO Speaker connector
ISO Remote control connector (the one with only two cables in)
ISO Aerial connector
'other' aerial connector (not sure what this is for... GSM phone?)

P.S. No, I shouldnt be doing this with the radio switched on. Dont try this at home!

 

[omega1]

Here are just a few pics of pics that I got, not the acutal HU itself, i'll show that once its all back in...

Fascia (single DIN) part number FP23-01 from the supplier (see above)

and Remote Control adaptor part number CAW-MB1110 same supplier.

And out of interest, the head unit I got in the end was this one Kenwood KDC-W7544U as it can change display colour to the mercs OEM colour... no bluetooth, but I have a Parrot which will do fine...

 

[omega1]

Finally, here is the pic of the remote control connector, again, it is easily spotted by having only two calbes in it.

I also had to make up a quick cable to split the power two ways, one for hte head unit, and one for the steering adaptor so made up this quick 1 male to 2 female bullet connector...

Also a very dodgy pic of the aerial adaptor I had to buy for the antenna connector as the Kenwood is an old DIN and the Merc aerial connector is a new ISO... 4.99 form Maplin order code A34FL.

 

[omega1]

Right.... The reason I didnt finish it off is because I had to dash to Maplins to get an aerial adaptor and also I need to fit the Parrot unit which has no connectors on it as I cut them off to fit on my old car stereo (was in a rush!). So I am buying the proper ISO connectors to put back on it to do this install properly.

I will be putting the Parrot display just under the head unit and sticking it on flat with velcro as I had it on the last car. WIll have to make a small hole for the cable to go through though... Will consider how to do this so it looks neat.

More pics as and when, if I have time, tomorrow but am determined to have it done for the weekend!

 

[omega1]

installed!

pics later!

 

[omega1]

Here are some pics, not quite finished yet.

Parrot fits nicely underneath the head unit....

 

[omega1]

Update... Had the chance to drive around yesterday with the new head unit in and all I can say is that it feels like my phone is ringing all the time! :-D

Very pleased!

Next project... Take the parrot apart and change the backlights to match the stereo and OEM dashboard!! Anyone tried this?? I know, i know, im being picky now!

 

[omega1]

Interesting, just thought i'd mention, the steering control adaptor allows the menu up/down steering buttons to change tracks! I though I was only getting the volume controls! Bonus!

Have ordered Amber LEDs for the Parrot CK3100 kit, will let you know how that one goes!