cplnoonoo
Active Member
How did the remote connections with the 2 wires connect to the cars harness? and what was the power split needed for that you connected to the interface?
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omega1
Active Member
Hi, all the items I used came with the required connectors (from memory). For the power split, as I was also connecting up the Parrot, I used a standard (see Maplin) connector block and fed all the power cables into it. I dont remember having to cut anything or doing anything out of the ordinary...
Ah, hang on, I got some power (Parrot I think) from the cigarette lighter socket
Hope that helps
cplnoonoo
Active Member
ah rite. doesnt really help lol. kenwood have replaced all their interfaces with universal interfaces boxes with separate plugin harnesses specific to each car but for some reason the model of harness they have associated with the entire c-class range from 2003-2007 has a quadlock or fakra connector and not iso connectors which we have. unfortunately kenwood havent disected the merc range of c-classes over the period 2003-2007 as later models have this quadlock connector but not the cars from the year we have lol.
Have troubled them more for answers and they sent me the only harness that has iso connectors for a merc and it is for the a-class and it doesnt have the plastic plug with the 2 cables going into it for the remote connections - just a couple of loose cables and a can-bus lead if required(which i dont) so im not sure whether i need to manually solder the loose cables onto the connections for the remote leads or go back to kenwood and ask for another part or see if they can supply the old MB1110 that you have used.
If you get a chance have a look at kenwoods main site they have all the individual pics and compatibility of each of the harnesses they have. they 3 models relating to merc is CCANME1, CCANME2 and CCANME3. I had ME1 which was quadlock connectors and now have ME3 which has the ISO connectors but no remote lead connector lol.
Hope you can maybe advise in some way.
Have troubled them more for answers and they sent me the only harness that has iso connectors for a merc and it is for the a-class and it doesnt have the plastic plug with the 2 cables going into it for the remote connections - just a couple of loose cables and a can-bus lead if required(which i dont) so im not sure whether i need to manually solder the loose cables onto the connections for the remote leads or go back to kenwood and ask for another part or see if they can supply the old MB1110 that you have used.
If you get a chance have a look at kenwoods main site they have all the individual pics and compatibility of each of the harnesses they have. they 3 models relating to merc is CCANME1, CCANME2 and CCANME3. I had ME1 which was quadlock connectors and now have ME3 which has the ISO connectors but no remote lead connector lol.
Hope you can maybe advise in some way.
OP
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omega1
Active Member
hi, the one I got defiantely had an ISO connector, im sure the ref number for the one I got and where I got it is somewhere in this post (i'll look) if not its in antoher post i'll dig it out.
Really sorry this is not more help, but i have a terrible memory and this was (for me!) ages ago... But I had all the connectors I neded, and mine was an ISO too, so it all worked OK.
Really sorry this is not more help, but i have a terrible memory and this was (for me!) ages ago... But I had all the connectors I neded, and mine was an ISO too, so it all worked OK.
OP
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omega1
Active Member
right, sorry, just seen what you mean.... I will need to find the invoice to find out which one it was, although from the image, i recall it was this one:
CAW-MB1110
But that is a different reference!!
All I can suggest, unless I find the invoice, is that you purchase it from Kenwood car audio as I can guarantee that the above reference is an ISO version... Other that that, I cannot find a way of referencing that back to CCANME1, CCANME2 or CCANME3...
Sorry if its no more help...
CAW-MB1110
But that is a different reference!!
All I can suggest, unless I find the invoice, is that you purchase it from Kenwood car audio as I can guarantee that the above reference is an ISO version... Other that that, I cannot find a way of referencing that back to CCANME1, CCANME2 or CCANME3...
Sorry if its no more help...
cplnoonoo
Active Member
Thats where i got mines from and they had to delay sending as i ordered right as kenwood decided to revamp the range so they had to wait on the new units coming in. The one you mentioned CAW-MB1110 is the old one that you used that is just a single unit. The new sets have a 2 parts to buy but justkenwood.co.uk supply both in the 1 kit...1 is a universal interface box that comes with universal wiring with no plugs and the second part is the car-specific wiring harness that plugs into the interface box, into the car harness and also into the stereo using the ISO connectors. It also has the same blue stereo remote connection aswell as the leads for the remote controls on the wheel itself however as i said before their new harness that they have associated with all the c-class from 2003-2007 does not have the connector with the 2 leads in it for the remote control connection. Thats where my problem lies as the other harness i got from them is for an a-class or a vito but will still fit mine as it has the ISO connectors but it doesnt have the 2 lead remote connector plug. Hope that clarifies anything. I have contacted Kenwood again and the guy sounded very puzzled, took some details and will get back to me.
Ive got a very funny feeling that Kenwood will be needing to either re-do the new range of harnesses for merc (and possibly other) manufacturers or come up with another reference on their website to a harness that will just work "plug and play" like the packaging says.
Ive got a very funny feeling that Kenwood will be needing to either re-do the new range of harnesses for merc (and possibly other) manufacturers or come up with another reference on their website to a harness that will just work "plug and play" like the packaging says.
horsesuitedfool
Active Member
I had similar install when i had a W203 52 plate a few years ago, thought i would suggest something to you though that i did. If you remove the parrot module and take the back off you can drill a hole in the back of it and re route the cable that comes out the bottom of it so it goes straight out the back of it. Then drill hole in the face of the blanking plate over the lower din slot and feed it through the hole and stick parrot module back on again. This would stop the cable from going through the gap at the bottom and look much neater imho, just a thought
cplnoonoo
Active Member
So i got an answer back from kenwood the other day...they are going to supply me one of the last models available from the old range. The same one you used...MB1110. I have received it and have fitted it but buttons dont seem to work. the 10 way iso block on the car harness has 5 wires going into it whereas your one in the pic only has 2. The interface only has 2 so yours matches up fine but i dont know why mines has 5. What could the other 3 wires be for? I dont have a car kit installed but im assuming the prewiring doesnt include the extra wires on the stereo harness. Am i right? Not sure what to do next. Could i maybe have another 10 way iso plug hanging about behind the dash somewhere and this plug iv found with 5 wires is for something else?
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omega1
Active Member
Hi, wow, I really want to help (as others have helped me) but I have no memory whatsoever to remember!
Have just looked over the post to try and refresh my memory but cant really recall any of it. As you've already seen, the remote control adaptor definately only has two connectors on it, I can't recall what the other calbes do, it will need it's 12v connecting up, have you done this? I will have a look at the head units manual later see if that brings back any memories of the install. Is the head end unit you are using Kenwood? Again, from the photos i've just re-looked at, there were three ISO connectors i nthe car, one is power, one is speakers and the third one (two cables) was the remote control one.
Mine worked 'out of the box' really, the only bits I had to really work on was the Parrot.
Really sorry to not be of more help but just cant remember it all.
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omega1
Active Member
Good idea, never though of this! But had to get the mic cable through too, wasnt too happy about cutting the hole, but you cant really see it that much...
cplnoonoo
Active Member
Yes i have the top end DDX8024BT...that probably means nothing to you. It is a double din unit.
Yes the 12v is connected up and i checked the connection with the truster multimeter lol. the ground is making a good connection so the only thing i can see that would be the problem is this 10 way iso plug which ironically is the title of your thread when you first created it lol.
A few people in another thread i made have suggested that some of the other connections could be for the cd changer which would certainly make sense as since i installed the new unit i havent been able to eject the cartridge of cds as there is no power going into it so i guess at least one of those 5 cables would be for power, 2 for remote and not sure what the others could be. I dont think i have canbus on mine do i? It is pretty much same year and model as yours apart from engine size so if your doesnt i dont think mine would lol.
No worries if you cant help its worth the troubleshooting lol. Im currently on the hunt for some wiring diagrams that might help in determining what the leads are for. Its unbelievable how difficult it is to find stuff like this relating to mercs on the web. I would have thought the web would be overflowing with technical stuff as its one of the most popular car manufacturers in the world lol.
Yes the 12v is connected up and i checked the connection with the truster multimeter lol. the ground is making a good connection so the only thing i can see that would be the problem is this 10 way iso plug which ironically is the title of your thread when you first created it lol.
A few people in another thread i made have suggested that some of the other connections could be for the cd changer which would certainly make sense as since i installed the new unit i havent been able to eject the cartridge of cds as there is no power going into it so i guess at least one of those 5 cables would be for power, 2 for remote and not sure what the others could be. I dont think i have canbus on mine do i? It is pretty much same year and model as yours apart from engine size so if your doesnt i dont think mine would lol.
No worries if you cant help its worth the troubleshooting lol. Im currently on the hunt for some wiring diagrams that might help in determining what the leads are for. Its unbelievable how difficult it is to find stuff like this relating to mercs on the web. I would have thought the web would be overflowing with technical stuff as its one of the most popular car manufacturers in the world lol.
Double DIN - is it do-able
Brilliant job on this thread Omega1, to say it's invaluable is an understatement, so i'd really appreciate your advice (and everyone elses).
I'm buying a 2002 (March) C270 from my sis (family loyalty = really great price) and the 1st thing I intend doing is replacing the Audio10 excuse for a stereo with something a bit more suitable, so i'm thinking of a double din Kenwood DPX503U Kenwood DPX503U
with the Kenwood CAWMB1110 OEM remote control interface Kenwood CAW-MB1110
So couple of questions
1. Will a double din stereo fit the 2002 c270 with the correct fascia adaptor of course?
and
2. does the can-bus iso plug just plug into the CAWMB1110 OEM remote control interface and then the interface just in to the stereo?
Are those the only connections required ie no additional permanent 12v or anything weird!!!
This is my 1st post and 1st MB so please be gentle!!!!!!!!
Thanks
Richard
Brilliant job on this thread Omega1, to say it's invaluable is an understatement, so i'd really appreciate your advice (and everyone elses).
I'm buying a 2002 (March) C270 from my sis (family loyalty = really great price) and the 1st thing I intend doing is replacing the Audio10 excuse for a stereo with something a bit more suitable, so i'm thinking of a double din Kenwood DPX503U Kenwood DPX503U
with the Kenwood CAWMB1110 OEM remote control interface Kenwood CAW-MB1110
So couple of questions
1. Will a double din stereo fit the 2002 c270 with the correct fascia adaptor of course?
and
2. does the can-bus iso plug just plug into the CAWMB1110 OEM remote control interface and then the interface just in to the stereo?
Are those the only connections required ie no additional permanent 12v or anything weird!!!
This is my 1st post and 1st MB so please be gentle!!!!!!!!
Thanks
Richard
Hi please read the post that cplnoonoo created about the srs warning very carefully.
The CAW-MB1110 seems to be very difficult to get hold of as it has been replaced with modules that are universal and just have vehicle specific harnesses.
I am not 100% sure yet as i do not physically have one yet, but I think there is a female 10 way iso that connects with the cars male 10 way iso for communication with the cars canbus, another din type connector that goes into the head unit, there is also a need to tap into the headunits remote +12v and either a ignition or permanent +12v aswell and lastly a ground.
Yes you can install a double din unit into a w203 c class, I suggest using the double din fascia adaptor made by connects 2 (make sure the model number starts CT to make sure it is the connects 2 one), go to their website and look up the part number you need for your car, depending on if it is prefacelift or facelift the lugs for the torx screws are placed differently, I used the single din version from connects 2 for my Kenwood headunit and am extremely impressed with the overall fit when compared to other fascia adaptors I have seen.
All the best. Jon.
The CAW-MB1110 seems to be very difficult to get hold of as it has been replaced with modules that are universal and just have vehicle specific harnesses.
I am not 100% sure yet as i do not physically have one yet, but I think there is a female 10 way iso that connects with the cars male 10 way iso for communication with the cars canbus, another din type connector that goes into the head unit, there is also a need to tap into the headunits remote +12v and either a ignition or permanent +12v aswell and lastly a ground.
Yes you can install a double din unit into a w203 c class, I suggest using the double din fascia adaptor made by connects 2 (make sure the model number starts CT to make sure it is the connects 2 one), go to their website and look up the part number you need for your car, depending on if it is prefacelift or facelift the lugs for the torx screws are placed differently, I used the single din version from connects 2 for my Kenwood headunit and am extremely impressed with the overall fit when compared to other fascia adaptors I have seen.
All the best. Jon.
OP
OP
omega1
Active Member
Hi, i'll do my best to remember! Thanks for your comments. Did mine in a bit of a rush so can't really remember too much (as previosuly mentioned!). Welcome to the forum, it has helped me a lot since I purchased my first MB.
1) As someone has mentioned, yes, a double DIN will fit, you just need the correct fascia, I bought mine from the store mentioned in one of my earlier posts, in fact I got everything from them, they were excellent, highly recommended, I notice there is another suggestion too, so you have a choice. Just pick the one that is recommended for your model and then I think you may have a colour choice. I chose the black one (mine was only single DIN) and it matches the car perfectly.
2) Basically, yes. This answers your next point too. The only thing I had to do was split the 12vdc to power the interface adaptor AND the Parrot Bluetooth, which I did by making up a bullet socket to two bullet plugs, which is photographed somewhere up in the thread, everything else just fitted and worked...
It was all very straight forward to be honest. Any problems let us know and we'll all try and help!
Good luck!
Thanks guys, think I'm going to go for it. Won't have the car for another couple of weeks or so, can use that as planning time!!
I'll only go for the steering controls if i can get the same kenwood adaptor as Omega1, otherwise I'll just live without it, what you don't have you don't miss. I'll try and post a pic when I've all done.
Thanks
Richard
I'll only go for the steering controls if i can get the same kenwood adaptor as Omega1, otherwise I'll just live without it, what you don't have you don't miss. I'll try and post a pic when I've all done.
Thanks
Richard
cplnoonoo
Active Member
Yes, the old interface the CAW-MB1110 has been replaced by a god-awful range of cheap alternatives.
There is no longer a single bit of kit sold as an interface that fits the c class from 2001 up to the prefacelift 2004 models that use the iso connectors. The old interface connected directly to the 3rd plug that would have powered the cd changer and steering wheel buttons.
Kenwood have done away with this model and replaced with 2 separate items which you need. Normally if you buy from the likes of justkenwood.co.uk they sell both items as a kit for about £50. It consists of the following:
1. A universal interface kit CAW-CANUN1 (can be found on kenwoods website or a quick google search) which has the interface box and a set of bare wires wired into a plug that you plug straight into the box. The only bit you need from this package is the black box. You can throw out the plug with the wires if you so wish as the other part of the kit has the model specific bit with the correct connections wired onto what was the bare wires in the universal kit.
2. The model specific harness - this is where the compatibility problems start. Kenwood advertise only one harness CAW-CCANME1 for c class models which is shown as 2003 up to 2007 compatible - this is rubbish as the prefacelift models used ISO connectors and not the FAKRA connectors that this one comes with. Even then it still doesnt even have the 10way ISO plug that is required to connect the steering buttons.
The other model which they suggested to me to use (I ended up getting these all sent from Kenwood for free as i argued big time with the head of tech etc) was for an A class which is the only available harness they sell for mercedes that has ISO connectors and they wanted to see if it would work. This is the CAW-CCANME3. It does indeed fit fine between the stereo and the cars harness but again it doesnt have the plug that you need to plug into the 10way ISO connector for the buttons to actually work.
To get this to work you need to use the green and white wires connected by the bullet connectors to the harness and then cut the black plug off the end of this. You then need to solder the green and white wires separately onto the plug for the buttons (the canbus lines). This is not acceptable by my standards as kenwood are expecting these to be plug and play types and clearly if soldering work is required its not plug and play.
Whilst i was doing all this something didnt quite work out and when i connected the white wire it set all the power off and then triggered the srs airbags light and message. I wont go into detail about this but i do have another thread going on about this on here.
On a more general note: Yes your double din unit will fit you just need to get the right fascia plate so there isnt a big gap around the edge of stereo (watch as there is 2 different types: one has a big edge at the top getting narrower towards the bottom and the other one is very similar but doesnt have as big an edge). You want the one with the smaller edge as you will have the same audio10 unit as i do.
Remember you will lose any use of the screen on the instrument cluster showing radio station or track number of a cd etc even if you do have the interface successfully installed as this is not possible using an interface. The only cars that an aftermarket interface allows this to work properly is on vauxhalls as the screen on these are the primary display for the stereo.
Also if the car has a bose system then dont bother trying to install any stereo or speaker system as its all fibre optic and will require you to rewire the entire sound system in the car. And also if you have a cd changer you will lose the use of this aswell as they are fibre optic controlled.
Hope this doesnt put you off lol.
There is no longer a single bit of kit sold as an interface that fits the c class from 2001 up to the prefacelift 2004 models that use the iso connectors. The old interface connected directly to the 3rd plug that would have powered the cd changer and steering wheel buttons.
Kenwood have done away with this model and replaced with 2 separate items which you need. Normally if you buy from the likes of justkenwood.co.uk they sell both items as a kit for about £50. It consists of the following:
1. A universal interface kit CAW-CANUN1 (can be found on kenwoods website or a quick google search) which has the interface box and a set of bare wires wired into a plug that you plug straight into the box. The only bit you need from this package is the black box. You can throw out the plug with the wires if you so wish as the other part of the kit has the model specific bit with the correct connections wired onto what was the bare wires in the universal kit.
2. The model specific harness - this is where the compatibility problems start. Kenwood advertise only one harness CAW-CCANME1 for c class models which is shown as 2003 up to 2007 compatible - this is rubbish as the prefacelift models used ISO connectors and not the FAKRA connectors that this one comes with. Even then it still doesnt even have the 10way ISO plug that is required to connect the steering buttons.
The other model which they suggested to me to use (I ended up getting these all sent from Kenwood for free as i argued big time with the head of tech etc) was for an A class which is the only available harness they sell for mercedes that has ISO connectors and they wanted to see if it would work. This is the CAW-CCANME3. It does indeed fit fine between the stereo and the cars harness but again it doesnt have the plug that you need to plug into the 10way ISO connector for the buttons to actually work.
To get this to work you need to use the green and white wires connected by the bullet connectors to the harness and then cut the black plug off the end of this. You then need to solder the green and white wires separately onto the plug for the buttons (the canbus lines). This is not acceptable by my standards as kenwood are expecting these to be plug and play types and clearly if soldering work is required its not plug and play.
Whilst i was doing all this something didnt quite work out and when i connected the white wire it set all the power off and then triggered the srs airbags light and message. I wont go into detail about this but i do have another thread going on about this on here.
On a more general note: Yes your double din unit will fit you just need to get the right fascia plate so there isnt a big gap around the edge of stereo (watch as there is 2 different types: one has a big edge at the top getting narrower towards the bottom and the other one is very similar but doesnt have as big an edge). You want the one with the smaller edge as you will have the same audio10 unit as i do.
Remember you will lose any use of the screen on the instrument cluster showing radio station or track number of a cd etc even if you do have the interface successfully installed as this is not possible using an interface. The only cars that an aftermarket interface allows this to work properly is on vauxhalls as the screen on these are the primary display for the stereo.
Also if the car has a bose system then dont bother trying to install any stereo or speaker system as its all fibre optic and will require you to rewire the entire sound system in the car. And also if you have a cd changer you will lose the use of this aswell as they are fibre optic controlled.
Hope this doesnt put you off lol.
Thanks cplnoonoo, i'm going to try and source a CAW-MB1110, if I can't get one i'll still do the install and just wait to Kenwood get their act together and make something that works or re-introduce the CAW-MB1110. So you haven't put me off lol, but ain't no way i'm starting to mess about with the electrics of a MB.
Do you know who makes the fascia adaptor you recommend?
Richard
Do you know who makes the fascia adaptor you recommend?
Richard
cplnoonoo
Active Member
The place i used was Celsus ice. The exact page with the 2 fascia plates is below. I went through my local autosave store who ordered it in when i gave them the part number from celsus ice. You can phone Celsus ice and order over the phone i would assume or collect if you live in that area.
The part number you want is AFC5708. The other one which is the bigger one is AFC5709 but you dont want this one. Will probably cost you about £20 which is a bit expensive for what it is but if you want it youll pay i suppose lol.
Celsus ICE - car audio accessories
The interfaces are quite hard to come about but im sure if you can push kenwood enough they might be able to get you one. Worth a try.
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