HOW TO: AUX input on stock model head unit

[miro]

HOW TO: AUX input on stock model head unit - Extreme iPOD

From USA forum.
http://www.club202.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=2934

iPod power loom
http://www.enfig.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/shophome.html?E+scstore

AUX input loom for MB radio (not COMAND).
http://www.enfig.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/shophome.html?E+scstore

Or you can use additional ICE connection kits
http://www.densionusa.com/x/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=378&Itemid=82

+ One modified canbus steering wheel mod kit (similar to the legendary W211 kit for Bluetooth ---> a quick update and we are in business with CD stacker functions.
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=6644


I would think for now .... that is about as iPOD as it gets. Same concept applies to any function of any MP3 device that has external control capacity.

It the moment I am a supporter of iPOD .... should be others around.

 

[johnpritt]

Miro
Good stuff -- but I'm confused. The enfig kit seems to be for pre-1998 radios, or am I mistaken? They say "You need to add this item to one of the interfaces in the audio input part of the site" and in the audio input part they only refer to 93-98 models.
Also, $75 for the kit plus $83 for the audio input interface, plus shipping, works out quite a lot.
I've got a 99 A160 with factory fitted audio 10 cd (no changer attached) that I want to connect to my iPod. People keep telling me that an interface does exist for it, but I've not come across anything explicit enough so far for a non-techie like me to understand.
Any thoughts?

 

[miro]

Miro
Good stuff -- but I'm confused. The enfig kit seems to be for pre-1998 radios, or am I mistaken? They say "You need to add this item to one of the interfaces in the audio input part of the site" and in the audio input part they only refer to 93-98 models.
Also, $75 for the kit plus $83 for the audio input interface, plus shipping, works out quite a lot.
I've got a 99 A160 with factory fitted audio 10 cd (no changer attached) that I want to connect to my iPod. People keep telling me that an interface does exist for it, but I've not come across anything explicit enough so far for a non-techie like me to understand.
Any thoughts?

The only thing that springs to my mind is that the 1999-2004 radios all have D2B - so yes, it is limited to older radios. But a neat idea all the same.

I was thinking that you could build a switch-over and "intercept" the speaker lines. Ground pin 3 in Block A (mute) and get power from the CD changer pins 5 and 6 on block C

That would be adequate for what you want to do. As there is no "rule" that says you MUST run Block B cables (speaker lines) directly from the head unit to the speakers. If someone injected an electronic speaker switchover there, any source would come out of the speakers provided there was an amp to drive it and you could electronically select it as the 2nd input. No doubt someone has already figured out input "3 and 4" are also quite feasable.

If you just wanted front speakers then the drivers for stereo are not such a huge leap of faith from being installed in the glovebox. Since two speakers dont need much grunt.

I mean ..... this concept is so old that when it was invented the Dead Sea was only sick.

There is nothing sacred about the head-unit. It is as optional as the rest of the car and for the most part, the glovebox and ashtray make perfect stowage areas for most modest electronics and control panels.

Essentially any decent electronics shop has dozens of kits to generate the kinds of solutions I am ranting on about here.

So it kind of bothers me that the other day I saw someone "invent" a method of installing tweeter sails in the front door of a 2000 pre-facelift ML. He was so clever that he didnt even install a cross-over and that has a cringe value of about 9/10. Why install BOSE speakers and not keep on the rails with basic speaker design.

I recommend building a custom harness design which will allow you to inject the Head unit output in parallel with the ipod output. You may as well look at this overkill scenario since there may be a simple integrated method out there somewhere. All we need is the URL.

As whacky as it sounds .... it is also the simplest way to install a Phone system. The switch over can be made to trigger with the mute circuit and then flip back again at the end of the call. The only reason why no one does it must be that its too simple.

Personally I would be interested in buying a 1m long Block B loom that went from male to female. Then I could fold it in half and make this crazy audio switch.

 

[johnpritt]

I thought I should try all possibilities to find a "solution", so wrote to Becker. I figured that since they make the things, they might know. This is what the replied:
"Thank you for your inquiry. We produce these units exclusively for
DaimlerChrysler. Marketing and sales is in the responsibility of
DaimlerChrysler. We ask for your understanding that we cannot give you any
product informations. Please contact your DaimlerChrysler dealer or the
Customer Care Center Mercedes."

Now, is it worth bothering Mercedes do you think?! My local dealer has already said no way.

 

[miro]

Now, is it worth bothering Mercedes do you think?! My local dealer has already said no way.

If the internet doesnt make its mark then I doubt very much that a salesperson will go the distance.

In all honesty ..... its nothing special. You just have to look beyond Becker to do it.

 

[ckember]

The new d2b ipod interface can be had from www.ipodmycar.com. this should allow you to use the cd controls to control the ipod and it charges too. £200 delivered. May look into fitting to the command in my w203.