Replace Audio 20 - Plug and Play Alternative

[SpikyMikey]

I have a Dynamic Sounds doube DIN fitting kit already, and it will fit the 'ole left by the old Audio 20 perfectly - 254 as opposed to 260 mm upper edge. I'll send it back and swap it for a single DIN kit, and the rest will be easy.

That's a bargain price on that head unit.
Would be good to see some pics when it's all fitted.

 

[E55BOF]

Reading the spec, I reckon it's a bargain too. I'm glad I didn't look on Ebay first; it's on there, same seller, for £20 more...

It looks reasonably 'period' in the pictures, and not too modern. I'll post some pics when it's done.

 

[DSM10000]

Reading the spec, I reckon it's a bargain too. I'm glad I didn't look on Ebay first; it's on there, same seller, for £20 more...

It looks reasonably 'period' in the pictures, and not too modern. I'll post some pics when it's done.

An excellent upgrade and in keeping with the car

 

[poormansporsche]

I have a Dynamic Sounds doube DIN fitting kit already, and it will fit the 'ole left by the old Audio 20 perfectly - 254 as opposed to 260 mm upper edge. I'll send it back and swap it for a single DIN kit, and the rest will be easy.

Silly question but have you actually opened the double din kit ? Many double din kits actually come with the under the single din cubby thingie to facilitate one size fits all. Many a time I've chucked them away and you may not need to send it back ?

 

[E55BOF]

Yes, I have. No little storage cubby included.

 

[SpikyMikey]

......... and the rest will be easy.

You had to go and say it, didn't you?
Cue a whole weekend's worth of really bad language, fingers cut to ribbons and 6 visits to at least 3 different Halfrauds branches

 

[E55BOF]

I may need a couple of those little peforated steel mounting strips, but that's all. Easy...

Until it won't power up...

 

[poormansporsche]

Until it won't power up...

I'm sure it will power up just fine

Powering down maybe not so much

Years since I did mine but you may need to run a switched feed from the fag lighter, no biggie.

 

[SpikyMikey]

I'm sure it will power up just fine

Powering down maybe not so much

Years since I did mine but you may need to run a switched feed from the fag lighter, no biggie.

I love it when manufacturers take a 'standard' item like an ISO connector and mess about with it.
VW were a good example, transposing the switched and permanent 12v pin outs.

 

[DSM10000]

I'm sure it will power up just fine

Powering down maybe not so much

Years since I did mine but you may need to run a switched feed from the fag lighter, no biggie.

Not all cigarette lighter or auxiliary sockets have permanent live . My E-Class doesn't

 

[E55BOF]

Silly question but have you actually opened the double din kit ? Many double din kits actually come with the under the single din cubby thingie to facilitate one size fits all. Many a time I've chucked them away and you may not need to send it back ?

I actually bought a cheapo-cheapo generic 'Mercedes' single din fitting kit right at the start, but it wouldn't properly fill the CLK fascia, so I bought the CLK-specific one (twice the price, but it fits properly). Didn't get round to sending the generic one back, and it is indeed basically a double din with a separate cubby. The cubby fits the CLK-specific double din item perfectly.

I love it when manufacturers take a 'standard' item like an ISO connector and mess about with it.
VW were a good example, transposing the switched and permanent 12v pin outs.

The Blaupunkt will be 100% standard ISO, I'd think, and the loom adapter is CLK-specific, so it should be fine (he said hopefully...). You never know, maybe even the very limited steering wheel audio control (volume only) will work too.

 

[E55BOF]

NEARLY there...

I've been tearing my hair out trying to understand what pins go where in the Quadlock connector, but I think I've finally got it (he said hopefully...).

I'm happy with what to do about the steering wheel volume control (big thanks to Alfie at Comand Online), but there's one little thing; there's a connecting wire with the Blaupunkt for 'Illumination' but no corresponding pin on the Audio 20. I presume I just tap into an ignition-controlled live feed?

 

[ToeKnee]

Could the illumination wire be to dim the display when the headlights are on?

 

[E55BOF]

Hadn't thought of that. Google reveals you're spot on; even the wire colour is the same. There's a spare connector behind the dash which I think is for illumination for a switch my car doesn't have, so I'll try the multimeter and see when there's power to that, and take it from there. With luck, I won't be smoke testing the head unit...

 

[DSM10000]

Hadn't thought of that. Google reveals you're spot on; even the wire colour is the same. There's a spare connector behind the dash which I think is for illumination for a switch my car doesn't have, so I'll try the multimeter and see when there's power to that, and take it from there. With luck, I won't be smoke testing the head unit...

If you do emit smoke don't worry. It can be replaced!

 

[E55BOF]

I'm sure it will power up just fine

Powering down maybe not so much

Years since I did mine but you may need to run a switched feed from the fag lighter, no biggie.

It works...

It doesn't turn off with the ignition, though, despite the handbook saying it will if connected correctly. I'm pretty sure It is connected correctly.

I presume this is because MB units don't do so until the key is removed from the ignition lock, not when the ignition is actually turned off. I'll try the switched feed (if there is one) to the cigar lighter and see if that does the trick; as you say, no biggie.

 

[E55BOF]

The cigar lighter connection works fine. Just the illumination and the volume up/down connections to do now, then I'll box it up and take a couple of pictures.

 

[E55BOF]

It's in, it works, (no steering wheel volume, but I can live with that). It looks reasonably period for the car, I think, and the main fascia mounting is an excellent fit; the cubby liner isn't slightly curved to match the fascia, but that's all. Not 100% perfect, then; somewhere between "it'll do" and "good enough for government work", but a touch shy of OE MB standard.

It looks like this:

and I'm quite pleased.

 

[ToeKnee]

Was that illumination wire for dimming the display when the lights are on??

 

[DSM10000]

It's in, it works, (no steering wheel volume, but I can live with that). It looks reasonably period for the car, I think, and the main fascia mounting is an excellent fit; the cubby liner isn't slightly curved to match the fascia, but that's all. Not 100% perfect, then; somewhere between "it'll do" and "good enough for government work", but a touch shy of OE MB standard.

It looks like this:View attachment 156265View attachment 156266

and I'm quite pleased.

It looks very good indeed . Well done for persevering