W211 2007 E320 NTG2.5 Troubleshooting

[dopsonj92]

Hello,

New to the MB world, just jumped into an 07 (facelift) E320 Wagon for the winter from a 997 GT3 (Yea... what a change I know!)

Purchased this as a winter hack, with dogs in mind.

I've been trying to do some research and troubleshooting before posting, which will hopefully save you guys going "Oh not another idiot!"

My vehicle is fitted with the NTG2.5 (Which I thought was only fitted to later models?) but appears to be factory fit - VIN registers as my car has:

523 Radio Audio 20
819 CD Changer

Anyway - it does the typical thing of Mercedes Logo (for a varying amount of time) and then off, or occasionally displays the "Do not let Comand distract you" - I can hear background radio static as untuned and then the unit will cycle off with a "pop"

The NTG2.5 has codes BZ9880 and A2198700194
Connected I have (looking from behind) the bulk of connectors into the bottom right, the dual pin white connect (upper left), the blue and then yellow connect (bottom left) - No green connector.

In the rear of the vehicle I do not have any additional hardware that I can see relating to the Audio, however there is an unconnected lead (see attached photo).

Under the NTG2.5, where the flip out panel for the CD changer would normally be, is empty. However I do have two connections - one the orange MOST connection, the other is a smaller connector - neither appear to have a place to call home.

I have removed and left out, Fuses: 3 and 6 from the rear boot, along with 26 and 28 from the driver side panel for 10-15 minutes but this has provided no success.

I suspect the issue might be down to the orange MOST connection, that is not connected to anything and the radio failing during initial boot procedure/diagnostics due to this, but cannot be sure? Is it worth buying a loop connector on Amazon for £7.00 or where should it be connected?




All help and advice welcome - thank you all.

 

[E55BOF]

It sounds to me as though some c**t of a previous owner has removed (and sold?) the CD changer. If the MOST loop is not connected up, nothing will work. I'd try looping the loose MOST connector and see what happens; worst case, you're down £7.

 

[dopsonj92]

It sounds to me as though some c**t of a previous owner has removed (and sold?) the CD changer. If the MOST loop is not connected up, nothing will work. I'd try looping the loose MOST connector and see what happens; worst case, you're down £7.

Was along the lines of what I was thinking, that said... I have the attached NTG2.5 with the multi CD/DVD icon - does this mean this had a multi changer.. inbuilt within the NTG2.5 or is it still separate below?

 

[E55BOF]

Yes, it's built-in; I wasn't aware you could get the NTG2.5 with the Audio 20, or I'd not have suggested the CD changer had gone walkabout.

I'd still try looping the MOST connector.

Does your satnav work?

 

[dopsonj92]

Yes, it's built-in; I wasn't aware you could get the NTG2.5 with the Audio 20, or I'd not have suggested the CD changer had gone walkabout.

I'd still try looping the MOST connector.

Have ordered the loop, so that'll arrive Monday.

It seems an odd combination with the 2.5 in a 2007 car and the date of manufacture on the unit is 1998... which throws me a little more when I look online at similar units for sale on eBay.

It didn't look to have been opened or disturbed recently, always fun buying things with a lack of history!

Thank you

 

[E55BOF]

Second thoughts...

That NTG2.5 head unit has been retro-fitted, not from the factory, replacing the OE Audio 20. My 2003 E500 had Option 819, which was the separate CD changer. If it was built-in to the head unit, why would it be a separate option? The head unit option is different for a single CD slot unit and a CD changer unit, but that's all.

I don't see how the unit could have been manufactured in 1998; that's a W211/C219 head unit part number on it. 2008, yes, but 1998?

Loop that MOST connector. Let us know how you got on.

 

[dopsonj92]

Second thoughts...

That NTG2.5 head unit has been retro-fitted, not from the factory, replacing the OE Audio 20. My 2003 E500 had Option 819, which was the separate CD changer. If it was built-in to the head unit, why would it be a separate option? The head unit option is different for a single CD slot unit and a CD changer unit, but that's all.

I don't see how the unit could have been manufactured in 1998; that's a W211/C219 head unit part number on it. 2008, yes, but 1998?

Loop that MOST connector. Let us know how you got on.

Most likely what has happened, based on the photos I can find of Audio 20 online, maybe "thrown in" at some point to see if it fixes an issue.

Ref D.O.M:

98/04/25


Which if you compare to the one for sale here:

MERCEDES E CLASS CLS NTG2.5 6CD MP3 DVD HDD NAVIGATION SYSTEM RADIO BZ9880 | eBay

<p>MERCEDES E CLASS CLS NTG2.5 6CD MP3 DVD HDD NAVIGATION SYSTEM RADIO BZ9880</p><p> </p><p>Fully working. Assembled on 9th July 2014. Removed from a S211 Mercedes E-CLASS.</p>

www.ebay.co.uk

09/07/14


Very confused....

 

[Larkone]

A trip to ComandOnline Catalog might be in order as they are they experts on audio systems in MBs

 

[dopsonj92]

A trip to ComandOnline Catalog might be in order as they are they experts on audio systems in MBs

They were my next port of call if I couldn't resolve myself, that said, when they charge £39 for a MOST loop... it would imply they're on the touch expensive side.. We'll see!

 

[m80]

I had the same when I removed the under seat changer in a Viano.
I didn't get around to shorting the loop as was recommended as I went Chinese.

 

[dopsonj92]

I had the same when I removed the under seat changer in a Viano.
I didn't get around to shorting the loop as was recommended as I went Chinese.

This was my other option, failing being able to get this to work given its already limited functionality.

Will post back after I bridge the loop regardless, I think that's the best place to start.

 

[dopsonj92]

As mentioned, to update the thread.

Received my MOST loop from Amazon, disconnected fuses, plugged in, waited - Same issue.

I have now entirely remove the head unit and it does have an adapter harness fitted. So I'm going to try locate and understand which one this is. I've attached a few photos.

I suspect that this setup must have been working in the past, even without the CD changer, as you wouldn't go to the trouble. With the head unit now entirely out I'm going to pull the drive and see the health as I suspect the on/off cycle will have done some damage.

Also, to note, sorry for the state of the interior/behind the radio - trying to resolve mechanical/electrical issues before I throw money at a very deep valet.

1) Original going into Adapter Harness


2) Fittings on Adapter harness


3) Original connections on original loom

4) Harness PNs

5) Splicing has been going on...

6) Adapter loom.



Throwing in the photos incase anyone can identify, plus always helps for those who might be searching for a similar answer.

 

[colinallcars]

As mentioned, to update the thread.

Received my MOST loop from Amazon, disconnected fuses, plugged in, waited - Same issue.

I have now entirely remove the head unit and it does have an adapter harness fitted. So I'm going to try locate and understand which one this is. I've attached a few photos.

I suspect that this setup must have been working in the past, even without the CD changer, as you wouldn't go to the trouble. With the head unit now entirely out I'm going to pull the drive and see the health as I suspect the on/off cycle will have done some damage.

Also, to note, sorry for the state of the interior/behind the radio - trying to resolve mechanical/electrical issues before I throw money at a very deep valet.

1) Original going into Adapter Harness
View attachment 119354

2) Fittings on Adapter harness

View attachment 119355
3) Original connections on original loom
View attachment 119356
4) Harness PNs
View attachment 119359
5) Splicing has been going on...
View attachment 119360
6) Adapter loom.
View attachment 119364


Throwing in the photos incase anyone can identify, plus always helps for those who might be searching for a similar answer.

Has it had an aftermarket phone kit at some time? Might explain the adapters

 

[dopsonj92]

Has it had an aftermarket phone kit at some time? Might explain the adapters

On the adapter cable, it does appear to have a microphone cable (photo 6) that I think runs up next to the rear view mirror - Thats the only thing I can see that appears to be non factory fit.

 

[colinallcars]

On the adapter cable, it does appear to have a microphone cable (photo 6) that I think runs up next to the rear view mirror - Thats the only thing I can see that appears to be non factory fit.

Can you remove the adapter harness completely and plug the loom directly into the head unit as it would have been originally?

 

[dopsonj92]

Can you remove the adapter harness completely and plug the loom directly into the head unit as it would have been originally?

This was a thought of mine after your previous response, however, I noted this:

W211/W219/R171 E/CLS/SLK Audio-20-CD to COMAND NTG2.5 conversion set for cars without phone

This is the set of wiring adapters and bluetooth antenna you need to install the new Hard Disk based COMAND NTG2.5 into an older W211 E class, W219 CLS class, or R171 SLK with the Audio-20-CD and *without* an existing phone system.

www.commandonline.co.uk

So I assume the harness is required? Ideally don't want to be connecting original harness to the NTG2.5 and firing power through the wrong pin...

 

[colinallcars]

This was a thought of mine after your previous response, however, I noted this:

W211/W219/R171 E/CLS/SLK Audio-20-CD to COMAND NTG2.5 conversion set for cars without phone

This is the set of wiring adapters and bluetooth antenna you need to install the new Hard Disk based COMAND NTG2.5 into an older W211 E class, W219 CLS class, or R171 SLK with the Audio-20-CD and *without* an existing phone system.

www.commandonline.co.uk

So I assume the harness is required? Ideally don't want to be connecting original harness to the NTG2.5 and firing power through the wrong pin...

It reads to me that the adapter is for cars without MB phone pre-preparation. Don’t know for sure but if it’s not working what have you got to lose?

 

[Alfie]

You need specialist help with this.

Forget the CD changer and the fibre its a red herring and redundant once the NTG 2.5 was installed. The loom adapter is needed to convert from your old wiring to the new. Dont remove it. You will blow fuses if you do.

I suggest you make an appointment to come and see us at ComandOnline. We can fix it.

 

[dopsonj92]

Last night I removed the NTG2.5 from the vehicle and set to stripping the unit apart to check for blown capacitors or damage to any one of the 5 or 6 PCBs that reside inside, all looked good so it was reassembled.

From my experience of 10+ years in the Mac industry, I had a feeling the boot looping could possibly be down to the HDD having died, it had a common tell tell sign of the sound of power being removed from a drive suddenly which indicated to me the drive was playing some part. So I removed the drive and wouldn't you know, the unit booted. Full functionality (bar Navi access) with Bluetooth, Telephone, CD Changer and Radio all being functional.

It appears firmware updates and the "latest" 2019 Maps are available as images to restore to a fresh HDD online so I will source these and acquire a new PATA/IDE 2.5" 40GB drive with similar parameters online, if only to restore it to original functionality. Once sourced I'll attempt to correctly partition and clone if the images online don't do so already.

One thing I did note, is I was unable to enter engineering mode, I suspect because of the lack of HDD installed.

Really should have known to look at the drive sooner, 10+ years without any real shock proofing will take it's time on an old IDE drive!

Alfie - Can I purchase: Aux input for cars with Audio-20 or COMAND NTG2.5 version and plug it into port number 5 in the photo below? AUX is given to me in the menu options so assume already enabled.



Once connected, I think I'll purchase a BT/AUX adapter:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-USB-Bluetooth-Receiver-Supported/dp/B081GGB53R plus 12V USB port.

That should give me BT Audio/Calls/SatNav over the AUX input.

 

[dopsonj92]

The standard fitted drive is a Toshiba MK4036GAC - Designed for the automotive industry with increased shock resistance and greater operating temperature range.

The MK4036GACE is a very similar drive, trying to find data sheets for these old things is a little difficult but should do the job. Replacement:

Toshiba MK4036GACE 40GB IDE 2.5'' Car Hard Drive | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Toshiba MK4036GACE 40GB IDE 2.5'' Car Hard Drive at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Toshiba comparison datasheet: https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com...ge/archive/Specialty/Specialty-MKxx36GACx.pdf

Think that's a good buy then, £18.00 from China... but no rush!