ML GPS Aerial?

[bmac]

I have a 2000 ml and am retrofiting comand. The wire is behind the head unit for the GPS aerial but i am now concerned that this doesnt actually have an aeriel on the end of it! There is no aerial on the roof just a grommet? may be it is not an external aerial?

Does anyone know if i need to buy an external aerial to screw into this (i have seen someone else discussing that this is possible to simply screw an aerial into the roof)

If this is necessary where can i source the aerial itself?

 

[mapleleaf]

Is your ML the facelift model ? ie with door mirror indicators?

 

[hash]

you will need to fit a combined gps / phne aerail on the roof, cable is there. but if yours is not a facelift then you will need an adapter to fit the hrs plug on the comand.

or you can fit a indoor aerial from alpine. to remove the gromet open tailgate, pull trim down starting from left side, remve 4 holding screws, remove plug holding headling, pull down, then you can the exisitng mount, remove by pressing in the clips on body, pull down, unscrew gromment from top and fit new aerial

kenny

 

[bmac]

Thanks hash i have fitted the HRS connector /adaptor to the comand. Why will i need to get into the headlining.? do i need to connect wires in there?

I have contacted merc about the screw in aerial, it is £100+vat!

I am considering trying some other non OEM screw in ariels to see if they work!

 

[bmac]

It is a non face lift model year 2000

 

[mapleleaf]

if its a non facelift then i'd go for the cheapest option ie an alpine gps antenna at £40 or so mounted above the glovebox between it & the dash.

 

[bmac]

Thanks steve, I have now fitted a GPS aerial like the one you suggested. I now have the speed signal problem! Does anyone know where to locate a speed pulse on a 2000 ML320!!

 

[miro]

Thanks steve, I have now fitted a GPS aerial like the one you suggested. I now have the speed signal problem! Does anyone know where to locate a speed pulse on a 2000 ML320!!

There is one adaptor cable that brings the signals you need from the dashboard underside to the radio area. IT is a very simple part to order but it is however specific to your model build.

Sample part number #

Item 80 = 163 540 78 10
Item 80 = 163 540 17 34

Item 77 = 163 540 12 09

Price is 60-80 Euro.

Personally I would not have bothered with the cheaper aerial since the original one ads value to the car and also provides quality phone reception. By the time you ad both GPS and Phone systems together you end up with almost the same cost.

 

[bmac]

Thanks for the info. These diagrams look like wiring looms. Is there no black box of tricks?

I have already installed converting wiring looms and the comand is working apart from the speed signal. I know where to connect the speed signal on the command but i just need to know the speed pulse wire colour/location on the car?

 

[mapleleaf]

for the non facelift ML's there is a canbus adapter an Mb part that will cure the problem. I'll post details when I find them- a forum member Bob (cant remember his user name) did this quite succesfully last year

 

[bmac]

Thanks steve, it is not simply a case of finding the correct wire then?
I read a post where an audio specialist was paid £80 and found it somewhere round the back of the speedo??

if i buy the canbus adaptor i suppose it will get over my canbus "issues", no lights, stays on after ignition is off, turns of every 45mins

 

[DeL]

Hi bmac,

I'm at the same stage as yourself in retro fitting my comand in my facelift 2001 ML320. I have fitted the combined gps ariel part no. A163 820 15 75 for which my dealer charged me £76.09+vat I'm now waiting for the wiring loom A163 540 78 10 to come in on thursday. I got my canbus adaptor from ebay germany for 60 euros. my comand is the A210 model and not the A163 so hope i don't need anything else. Everything seems to work so far apart from speed pulse, so should be done this week .

Thanks steve_bcs for all your previous help on this install.

 

[miro]

Hi bmac,

I'm at the same stage as yourself in retro fitting my comand in my facelift 2001 ML320. I have fitted the combined gps ariel part no. A163 820 15 75 for which my dealer charged me £76.09+vat I'm now waiting for the wiring loom A163 540 78 10 to come in on thursday. I got my canbus adaptor from ebay germany for 60 euros. my comand is the A210 model and not the A163 so hope i don't need anything else. Everything seems to work so far apart from speed pulse, so should be done this week .

Thanks steve_bcs for all your previous help on this install.

Yes, the speed pulse is usually in the car but it needs the extension cable.

 

[bmac]

Hi del,

Good luck del. Please let me know how you get on. Today i am on the hunt for the speed pulse wire!

 

[bmac]

Del,

Can you tell me what the canbus adaptor has enabled on your unit? Does your comand respond to ignition/lights on and no turn off after 45 mins?

 

[DeL]

bmac I hope you have resolved your speed pulse problem!.

In the end at took my ML to Braybrooks in Hertfordshire to help me finish my install and got the comand working, the canbus unit i had needed some adjustment to the wiring but it all works from ignition/lights, etc. also had aux out connected in glove box for mp3/ipod player (but will now move this as my ipod can't stand in glovebox) I will need to remove comand to see what connections i had wrong as to why i couldn't get it to function correctly. Braybrooks charged me £100+vat plus £3.20 for parts (connectors) as i supplied everything already.

 

[bmac]

Hi Del,

No still not sorted! my 2000 ml doesnt have any canbus at all so apparently the canbus adaptor wont work? I may also go to Braybrooks.

Regards

Brian

 

[Shude]

No still not sorted! my 2000 ml doesnt have any canbus at all so apparently the canbus adaptor wont work? I may also go to Braybrooks.

The speed pulse *is* there though otherwise the speedo etc wouldn't work. The wire will be there at the back of the instrument cluster, if we can find out what colour it is then you're sorted.

 

[bmac]

I have now removed the instrument cluster and have started testing the wires one by one! So far i have tested the blue, brown and beige with no success.

Does anyone know if i can unplug the instrument cluster or will this cause a fault / MB dealer intervention?

 

[wobbly]

bmac

Try this link, Ive got the right one this time.

www.delta-autotronics.com/Speedsensors.htm

wobbly