W169 NGT2.5 Retrofit - Microphone Loom placement

[stalks]

Hi there,

I am in the process of retrofitting a 6 Disc NGT2.5 with SD into my 2008 A Class (W169). I had previously installed a Dynavin DYN-MBA but I really wanted the oem phone and Navigation so I bit the bullet and purchased a unit from navizip.co.uk.

I knew that I also need some additional cabling so I purchased a Radio antenna adapter, Bluetooth antenna and a microphone from multims.co.uk. The problem that I currently have is that the microphone does not fit into the existing audio loom - there is space for a connection to the right hand side but the white plug supplied by multims.co.uk does not fit. It does however fit in the socket to left! This socket is already populated and has four cables connected (See Image)

I would really appreciate it if someone could guide me in the right direction by looking at the attached images - could you please tell me on which side the microphone needs to attach? Also could you please help me identify the existing wires (Brown, Yellow, Grey and Black).

I am assuming that one of two things needs to happen - either I get my hands on the correct plug to fit the empty socket on the right of the audio loom. Or, I need to carefully remove the pins on my purchased plug and combine them into the existing plug on the left?

Any pointers would be gratefully received!

regards


StalkS

 

[ealp]

Hi there,

I am in the process of retrofitting a 6 Disc NGT2.5 with SD into my 2008 A Class (W169). I had previously installed a Dynavin DYN-MBA but I really wanted the oem phone and Navigation so I bit the bullet and purchased a unit from navizip.co.uk.

I knew that I also need some additional cabling so I purchased a Radio antenna adapter, Bluetooth antenna and a microphone from multims.co.uk. The problem that I currently have is that the microphone does not fit into the existing audio loom - there is space for a connection to the right hand side but the white plug supplied by multims.co.uk does not fit. It does however fit in the socket to left! This socket is already populated and has four cables connected (See Image)

I would really appreciate it if someone could guide me in the right direction by looking at the attached images - could you please tell me on which side the microphone needs to attach? Also could you please help me identify the existing wires (Brown, Yellow, Grey and Black).

I am assuming that one of two things needs to happen - either I get my hands on the correct plug to fit the empty socket on the right of the audio loom. Or, I need to carefully remove the pins on my purchased plug and combine them into the existing plug on the left?

Any pointers would be gratefully received!

regards


StalkS

I cant be of any help to you, but Id like to hear your experience on how to install this head unit. I currently have the Audio 20 with bluetooth in my facelift w169. I'm quite keen to get this head unit installed to replace my audio 20. They're about £500 on ebay.
Do I need to code my car to work with a new head unit? - Or would it be plug and play for me, as I already have the microphone built into my car?

Secondly how hard is it to actually get the old head unit out?

 

[JasM]

Considering purchasing a Ntg2.5 unit from navizip, what was the condition of yours like? and how long did it take for it to be delivered?

 

[richard]

This may sound silly, but ask the supplier of your loom for the wiring. As no one actually knows exactly what they supply, they are the only ones that can answer it accurately

You'll also need to sort out the antenna power feed, but again, ask them as they know what is on their looms/adapters.

And a converter shell / instructions to make the existing AUX in or iPod kit to work still.

Richard

 

[richard]

PPS,

The existing wires in there are the AUX input

Whole kit with everything you actually need here:-

Comand Online Ltd :: Mercedes SatNav/COMAND :: COMAND Retrofit parts :: A/B/CLC/ML/GL/R COMAND NTG2.5 (Hard Disk) retrofit kit - cars without phone.

Theres a cheaper one if your car already has a microphone.

PS the multims microphone seems to cost very little - which worries me as the microphone quality may not be that great, i'd be interested in what you think of it !

R

 

[stalks]

Thanks for the reply Richard. It seems I have got my terminology wrong in my subject title - Basically there is no 'loom' I am using the Original factory fitted Quadlock for an audio 20. Are you able to advise from my posted pics?

You are correct about the amp power as well - From what I have read I need to supply the power from PIN 7 on the existing 'white plug' (Is this also the one that the Mic needs connects too?) to pin 13?

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

StalkS

 

[richard]

Stalks

Just unplug existing white connector (which is your AUX) - you'll lose AUX, but the mic plugs in there on NTG2.5 and AUX is wired differently. The power feed will then be from that white plug to the lead in the existing quadlock that feeds the antenna - remove it from the quad lock i.e don't feed power back into the NTG2.5 on that pin

R

 

[stalks]

Stalks

The power feed will then be from that white plug to the lead in the existing quadlock that feeds the antenna - remove it from the quad lock i.e don't feed power back into the NTG2.5 on that pin

R

Richard, thank you so much for the informationI really appreciate it!

So just to clarify - I completely remove the wire feeding Pin 13 from the quadlock and connect it directly to pin 7 on the white connector?

Regards


StalkS

 

[stalks]

@ealp

I am not to sure how plug and play an install in a facelift would be. All my research has been for the non-facelift audio 20 (red screen without BT). I can tell you that with my current retrofit progress I am extremely pleased with the results so far. Bluetooth is working very well with my Android phone, all the contacts have been synced with the NTG2.5 and are available via the steering wheel and are displayed on the instrument display. I routed the 3rd party mic into the centre light console so hopefully now with Richards advice I will be able to test voice this weekend.

Navigation is spot on - GPS antenna fitted (velcro-ed) under the instrument cluster. Turn by turn voice is much better then my previous system.

Music tracks/stations are displayed on the instrument panel and controlled via the steering wheel, also the audio quality is high (I think I read somewhere that these headunits are made by Alpine?). Will be applying the FM antenna amp fix this weekend (see above)!

I am just waiting on some parts to put together a Fakra/rca adapter for my rearview camera and then I will book it in for some STAR programming - As I would like the Nav turn instructions to also appear on the instrument display.

Regarding removal/fitting tools - you will need the Mercedes pulling tool to remove the heating vents and instrument panel - you can find them on ebay. Otherwise just a torx screwdriver and you'll be away!

Hope that helps?

@Jazz

No problems with the quality of the unit from navizip a few slight hairline scratches on the screen but they are only visible if closely scrutinised

It is worth noting that shipping was from eastern Europe and would have taken three days if they had shipped it to the requested delivery address as per their site. It was however shipped it to my home Paypal address (No one in). I had to call TNT to arrange a re-delivery to my work address so the whole process took five days (Would have been four but the weekend got in the way).

Regards


StalkS

 

[npuk]

I cant be of any help to you, but Id like to hear your experience on how to install this head unit. I currently have the Audio 20 with bluetooth in my facelift w169. I'm quite keen to get this head unit installed to replace my audio 20. They're about £500 on ebay.
Do I need to code my car to work with a new head unit? - Or would it be plug and play for me, as I already have the microphone built into my car?

Secondly how hard is it to actually get the old head unit out?

You would need the antenna adpater on this page: http://www.comandonline.co.uk/W169-W245-Sprinter-Vito-Viano-Comand-Retrofit/ and GPS antenna.

You would need STAR coding to activate navigation on the cluster display.

Headunit removal guide on www.mercupgrades.com

 

[bigmacplease]

Get the bits from Richard at comand in future

Might not be cheap but you get all the info and advice that you need over the phone!

I've recently changed to face lift audio 20 and thanks to Richard got it working like a charm.

 

[stalks]

I am retrofitting on a bit of a budget (Chrimbo nearly here and all) Plus to be honest I really enjoy doing this sort of thing myself! In hindsight if I had a bit more time I would have liked to have made the cables myself! Richards advice was extremely helpful and I thank for him for it!

All the best

StalkS

 

[ealp]

You would need the antenna adpater on this page: Current W169 A, W245 B, Sprinter, Vito, Viano :: COMAND Retrofit parts :: Mercedes SatNav/COMAND :: Comand Online Ltd and GPS antenna.

You would need STAR coding to activate navigation on the cluster display.

Headunit removal guide on www.mercupgrades.com

Hi thanks for the response. So without the star coding, would the phone contacts, and CD track names still appear on the cluster display like they do now. Just the navigation menu wont appear on the cluster? - Am i right?

This is what I'm look at on ebay Mercedes W169 W245 Class A, B - BD0811 - NTG2.5 single DVD, HDD, GPS antenna | eBay

It comes with a GPS antenna, would I need anything else? - I'm happy to loose the AUX feature in the glovebox, as all my music would be on the 40GB HDD

 

[npuk]

Msuic register is 4GB on NTG2.5 but you can play direct from the SD card slot which supports upto 32GB.

You would need the antenna splitter on the Comand Online website.

I assume your car is a MY09> onwards as you say your Audio 20 already has bluetooth built in so the phone menu and phone steering controls are already activated on the cluster menu so no that wont need coding. Coding will be needed to activate navigation on the cluster.

BTW make sure the unit comes with the PIN code as if it has updated firmware with the anti theft protection you will need the code. http://www.mercupgrades.com/COMAND+APS+NTG2+5+FAQ-faq-14.html#20

 

[ealp]

Msuic register is 4GB on NTG2.5 but you can play direct from the SD card slot which supports upto 32GB.

You would need the antenna splitter on the Comand Online website.

I assume your car is a MY09> onwards as you say your Audio 20 already has bluetooth built in so the phone menu and phone steering controls are already activated on the cluster menu so no that wont need coding. Coding will be needed to activate navigation on the cluster.

BTW make sure the unit comes with the PIN code as if it has updated firmware with the anti theft protection you will need the code. http://www.mercupgrades.com/COMAND+APS+NTG2+5+FAQ-faq-14.html#20

thanks for the quick reply. is this the adapter i would need? FM/AM Antenna splitter adapter for Hard Disk COMAND-APS (NTG2.5) :: W211 last E, W219 CLS :: COMAND Retrofit parts :: Mercedes SatNav/COMAND :: Comand Online Ltd

and secondly would this gps antenna fit the ntg2.5 ? GPS Antenna Fakra Mercedes Benz Comand APS NTG1 NTG2 NTG2.5 NTG4 W212 W204 W164 | eBay

 

[ealp]

Having just looked on the back of my audio 20 unit. It looks like it already has the double antenna connector on the back compared with the NTG2.5 which is identical but just has the green & blue block connector and some other big block connector for media interface or something?

So in my case would the NTG 2.5 be a case of plug and play for me? and install the GPS antenna into the blue port?

 

[npuk]

My car also came with the above unit. Comand was a retrofit and the antenna splitter was needed, without it the radio reception was poor.

 

[ealp]

My car also came with the above unit. Comand was a retrofit and the antenna splitter was needed, without it the radio reception was poor.

Thanks for your quick responses. So its only the antenna splitter I need. The big block connector on the right will just be a straight swap over from my old head unit?

 

[BrunoTaxi7]

Thanks for your quick responses. So its only the antenna splitter I need. The big block connector on the right will just be a straight swap over from my old head unit?

hello, you need more power on the antenna since it has to connect a wire from the antenna to block micro ,case n: 6 (+12V)

 

[npuk]

hello, you need more power on the antenna since it has to connect a wire from the antenna to block micro ,case n: 6 (+12V)

Not on his car as it already had a NTG2.5 based audio unit fitted.

The antenna power mod is needed for NTG2 based cars i.e. pre facelift.