W204 Dab-Receiver

[royaltiger]

I have just bought myself a 58 plate C220 Sport, and managed to purchase a 2nd hand Dab-Receiver part number A204 870 54 90, is the wiring already pre installed to the car and is it a case of just plugging in or is there a lot more to it, I know once its working it has to be enabled on a Star machine, but I have no instructions and cannot find any on the web for installation, I also have no idea where it is factory fitted other than in the boot somewhere. I have an audio 20 and a roof antenna installed but I am soon to be replacing it with a Comand, all help greatly appreciated.

 

[Smatt]

Likely answer is no; the looms are usually unique to the spec at time of manufacture & you will need new loom.
Somone with EPC access should be able to tell you what you need, or ask Alfie

 

[royaltiger]

I was thinking all wiring would be installed reguarless of spec as its on a production line, I did not think it would be this complicated to install.

 

[npuk]

You will need the wiring loom, DAB tuner, antennas and STAR coding. On the newer cars you will need the DAB option added to the datacard before the STAR coding can be done.

Comand Europe based in Woking, Surrey will be able to fit and code it for you. http://www.comandeurope.com/

 

[Alfie]

If you are fitting Comand then get the roof antenna that does the lot. There are a load of different roof antennas and if you plan to install DAb then get the one with everything in it! You can see these and the necessary DAB retrofit kit here; Comand Online Ltd :: Other Mercedes Retrofits :: Mercedes DAB retrofit kits

If you already have the DAB tuner then just get the fitting kit and antenna. I'm sure we can 'sort out' the coding for you

BTW if you are fitting Comand then make sure you get the proper retrofit kit that includes the ducting and fan for the cooling!

Hope this helps,

 

[royaltiger]

Thanks for all your help, just a query on the Dab, do I need a tuner then aswell as the receiver or is the tuner built in on the Comand, I assumed the receiver did everything and you tune it from Comand.

 

[richard]

The reciever is the tuner. You get a new menu when the COMAND is properly coded.

You will need
a) Wiring looms (copper and fibre)
b) DAB-BAND-3 antenna amplifier (connects to rear windscreen)
c) DAB-BAND-L antenna amp (this is what Alfie mentions as the roof antenna)
d) Possibly the equipment box to install it in if your car doesnt have it.

You can actually miss out (c) as there is nothing in DAB BAND L in UK. But, if one is retrofitting COMAND and DAB using a new roof antenna you should get the one with the L band antenna in it

The DAB tuner is the most expensive part by far, so you're well on your way to having the parts.

(PS, the 'fitting' kit Comand Online sells won't have everything in it unless you buy the base kit - but no point in buying the base kit as you already have the tuner - but talk to them as they can work out what you need)

Richard

 

[royaltiger]

Cheers richard , in the middle of trying to sort out a deal of some kind.

 

[darrellr]

The reciever is the tuner. You get a new menu when the COMAND is properly coded.

You will need
a) Wiring looms (copper and fibre)
b) DAB-BAND-3 antenna amplifier (connects to rear windscreen)
c) DAB-BAND-L antenna amp (this is what Alfie mentions as the roof antenna)
d) Possibly the equipment box to install it in if your car doesnt have it.

Richard,

I've got a W207 MY2012. Do you know where the receiver goes (under the Rear seats?) and can you describe (b)? Is this a box that one fits to connect to something already in the rear windscreen or is it one of those 'stick-on' aerials like a PURE Highway?

How much carpet cutting will it all take to fit?

 

[richard]

Since my last post on this was in 2010, I will expand now

There is almost no DAB-BAND L in Europe (a bit of Italy and Czech) so much so that MB didn't bother with L band antenna on the SL, so I personally wouldn't fit the L band roof antenna.

The DAB-BAND-3 antenna amplifier is out of sight and connects to one of the elements in the rear windscreen. (at bottom right, behind the trim panel) and amplifies the signal for the DAB tuner.

The Tuner goes in an big equipment compartment under the boot carpet near the back seat, so if you don't have that compartment you need that and a new boot floor carpet. Also needed is wiring looms etc. (so no carpet cutting, just new parts to be added). I think all W207 *may* have that compartment, but not sure

You also have to run fibre optics up to the front of the car (dependant on what options are in the car, if it has HK already, fibre can go to the HK amp in the boot), and of course power and antenna wiring (to fusebox in rear and to rear windscreen)

R

 

[darrellr]

So, if I have the Receiver I need:

1 x amplifier
1 x power loom to boot for the receiver
1 x power loom for amplifier
1 x fibre optical loom to boot
2 x antenna connections from amp to receiver

[EDIT] I've had a look in the boot and there is a plastic screen covering part # A000 982 20 23 which appears to be the ECO relay according to Google.

 

[darrellr]

Ahh! I think I get it now. There is a black plastic shroud running the length of the top of the boot held in by the two back boot space restraining points. I've removed this and found that the space beneath is empty save for a foam 'filler'. The roof of the plastic cover has four screw points in it.