accessing jacks in a w202 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

opossum · #1 06-25-2005, 03:05 PM

Hi everyone,
I cant figure out how to see if I have rca jacks in the back of the original stereo in my 95 c220. I have a button for a cd changer but dont have a changer so I'm wanting to hook up my ipod through the supposed rca jacks in back. Any ideas?

thanks, opossum

Gilly · #2 06-25-2005, 05:08 PM

No RCA jacks, the car is prewired for a trunk mounted CD changer, which is plug n play.

#3 06-25-2005, 08:25 PM

i agree with gilly

96C220 · #4 06-25-2005, 08:33 PM

That radio does not have rca jacks, for either input or output.

Soundgate i believe sells an aux input adapter that plugs into the cd changer wiring and allows you to connect an aux input, (works from 1994 - 1998 models), but all it will do is pump the audio in, you will have no control of the ipod from the radio. You will still have to change songs / playlists via the ipods controls.

I believe it is around $100, but its your only option to add an auxillary source to that factory radio.

Otherwise, it may be time to consider an aftermarket unit with a built in aux input (available for little more), or even full ipod integration (alpine, pioneer etc), but that will be significantly more than the aux in adapter.

Take care,

George

opossum · #5 06-25-2005, 10:08 PM

Thanks guys,
that helps alot since now I know I don't have to get to the back of the unit. I looked around in the trunk on the hunch that there may be some prewiring for the changer and didn't see anything. If I found it I am sure I could rig something as audio engineering is my hobby (I'm an analog/tube lover) Anyway, Where might I find the prewired cd changer jacks that I suppose are in the trunk?

I appreciate you guys and thanks again,
opossum

Gilly · #6 06-25-2005, 10:12 PM

Behind the side trim in the trunk on the right side (passengers side)

Gilly

96C220 · #7 06-25-2005, 10:51 PM

Good luck with the prewiring....

Three things you need to do.

1. Get the head unit to recognize a "cd changer" as being present and switch into that mode.

Soundgate makes the adapter, so it is possible. I'm assuming there is some sort of logic bus wires that provide the communication between the changer and the head. It probably needs to sense some sort of load, or closing of two terminals, or voltage applied to one of them, to recognize the cdc as being there, then it has some sort of data bus to provide the head unit with track and disc info. You have to replicate that to keep the head in cdc mode.

Isolate the audio input wires, and connect to them, but that is the easy part.

The 94-98 radios use an analog audio input so its basically compatible with line level stuff. It may need a linear taper pot to match the level to one compatible with the head, OR an opamp if the signal from the cdc is really weak.

The 99 -00 ones are completely different animals. The CD changer is just a transport with an optical digital out. The audio travels along a fiberoptic cable, and the D/A is actually in the head unit. - Probably more impervious to noise and rfi, but really not necessary considering the quality of the rest of the MB stereo.

Good luck,

George

Gilly · #8 06-26-2005, 05:21 AM

Quote:

1. Get the head unit to recognize a "cd changer" as being present and switch into that mode.

George, this is false. The pre-fiber optic radios such as this are simply plug and play, if you plug in a CD changer (true, it probably has to be the correct type CD changer, not just "any ol'" CD changer) it will work with no programming of the radio of any kind.
Gilly

96C220 · #9 06-26-2005, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

George, this is false. The pre-fiber optic radios such as this are simply plug and play, if you plug in a CD changer (true, it probably has to be the correct type CD changer, not just "any ol'" CD changer) it will work with no programming of the radio of any kind.
Gilly

Gilly,

What i mean was electronically simulate the presence of a CD changer without on actually there. On a car with no cd changer, the radio will not switch into cd mode and change the inputs. That was the first thing you have to overcome.

The poster was looking for the prewiring trying to rig an ipod to work through it, without the presence of a factory cd changer, which is why I said this.

George

opossum · #10 06-26-2005, 08:06 PM

thanks guys,
I found a harness of wires coming into a rectangular plug on the passenger side behind the side panel under the speakers. Could this be it? I was kind of hoping to find a couple of rcas actually but realized that wouldnt make sense after I thought about it. If so I guess I need to figure out which are right and left input. I don't intend on having any control or power from the head...that would be nice, but more than I want to chew off at this point.

take care, opossum

96C220 · #11 06-26-2005, 08:10 PM

That is the correct plug.

What you arent relalizing is, you have to figure out how the CHANGER tells the head its there, and replicate it, so the head "sees" a cd changer, otherwise it will NOT go into into cd changer mode, and will not activate those inputs.

You cant just figure out the audio inputs plug something in there, hit cd on the head unit, and listen to it. It doesnt work that way. It obviously IS possible because soundgate makes an adapter that just does this, but you need to figure out how to get the head to go into cd mode.

Take care,

George

Gilly · #12 06-26-2005, 09:37 PM

OK, George, understood. Thanks for your help.
Gilly

opossum · #13 06-27-2005, 11:14 AM

cool,
thanks guys. I'm going to look into the soundgate device.

I'll let you know how it turns out,
opossum

skiier3_9 · #14 01-12-2007, 08:43 PM

Did you ever buy the soundgate device? I am considering purchasing this device and would be interested to know how it turned out.

Benz300 · #15 01-14-2007, 01:26 AM

why not simply use the cassette adapter ? $10 will solve the problem .

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