car phone help
 

I just got the factory car phone from my w124 E420 activated today, but I have no idea to use the features. I believe that this motorola system is used in other models of Mercedes casr, also. I can dial numbers and receive calls fine, but I don't know how to work the memory features from either the handset or the thing above the rearview mirror. When I press the 'D' on the thing by the rearview mirror, a computerized voice says things like "personal", "emergency", "roadside assistance", etc. I believe it is talking about different numbers to dial, but I don't know. Can anyone inform me on how to use this system? Any help is appreciated. Josh

I believe you can get the operators manual for the phone from MB. I had no idea that a 94 was this advanced, but if it's telling you all this stuff, I guess it does. It may not be an instant answer to all your questions, but the best thing, rather than me finding one and telling you how to work it, is to get the manual for it. I can try on Monday finding out what the document number is for the phone manual, or you can call 1 800 FOR MERCedes, and they should be able to help you out.....
Gilly

I have a manual, from page 3:

Send key: Press to initiate or to answer a call. Press for switchhook flash during a call. (Also used for Automatic Redial.)

M1 key: Press to scroll through QUICK DIAL-1. Press to decrease speaker volume during a call.

M2 key: Press to scroll through QUICK DIAL-2. Press to increase speaker volume during a call.

D key: Press to scroll through Voice Directory

END key: Press to terminate a call, or press and hold when not in a call to dim the controller illumination.

From page 7:
Storing Phone Numbers: Enter telephone number + [Store] +two-digit memory location at the handset.

You can enter names also, but it's too much for me to type :(

If you wait until Monday, I can send you a .pdf version of the entire manual.

I would love it if you could send me the .pdf version of the whole manual, but is there anyway you can tell me how to do the naming now? I am dying of curiousity. If not, thats ok. Thanks for the help.

That's an analog phone. Before you knock yourself out trying to program it, try to replace it with a Digital-the airtime price is dramatically less expensive. They're out there-I put one in my 500E and almost all the functions still work (I lost the "D" memories though). But the only way to find one is to go to your local cell phone store and hope they have one around. I actually got mine from an installer's personal car! For the Motorola DTMF phone, I bought him some cheapo portable in exchange:D

Michael,

Did you ever get the exact model number of the Motorola digital phone that you had installed? Also, is there some box in the trunk that needs to be replaced and if so, what is the replacement model or part number for that?

A number of people say this swap can be done, but I haven't been able to get specific model or part number information to help in tracking down what is needed for the conversion to digital. I suppose it depends on what cell service one is using also, since I think Sprint requires a different technology than Verizon. Is that correct?

A lot of people seem to be interested in this conversion, so any specifics you could provide would be great!

Thanks,

Bob I.

1995 E420
1998 E320

digital phone
 

The reason I have the analog phone is that I live in Montana and do a lot of driving across long, lonely stretches of roads where there is absolutely no digital coverage. Also, this analog phone is a 3 watt analog phone, and the new digital/analog combo phones are only about 0.7 watts, so my phone now has the range I need for living in Montana.

Rockjock-My "Motorola DTMF Phone" (according to Motorola this specifically is the correct name) runs at 3.1 watts when analog-it's been bench tested, and is one of the few phones that has this capacity (I have Nokia 2160s in my other cars for this same reason).

Bob,

send me an email and I'll send you pictures of the handset and transceiver (the "box" in the trunk)

rockjock,

I live in a remote area as well. I understand the value of analog service. Unless you are in a metropolitan area, the difference in analog and digital is the difference between being able to send/receive a call and not being able to send and receive a call. I'm sure that about 96% of the people who have/use a mobile phone live in the city and don't have a clue why you would want to use analog.

Even if you lived in a major area, I would not recommend ripping out the factory phone. I have seen far too many posts here recommending that. 20 years or so from now there will be someone jubilant by finding a nineties MB with a factory phone intact.

For a person who lives in the city, and have a nice MB with factory phone, they should just deactivate it, leave it alone and use their handheld.

Have a great day,

95 124 in car phone
 

Late post but I also choose to keep the analog due to its signal strenght. My service provider also told me I had the best rate but when they cancel analog service I would be out of luck.
I have been told there is no easy way to change to digital. Take out the phone and the transmitter and just use the armrest to store a portable digital. No one at the MB dealer knows how to program the phone so if I could get the pdf of the manual I would also appreciate it. Thanks Rick

:p :p

Rick:
I also think you are out of luck when it comes to going digital with an interface to the original IDC.
As far as your existing phone, i think what may help the most is if you could get a copy of the NAM programming instruction sheet. These were tear-off sheets that were filled out to program the phone. Much of the info I believe you need isn't in the manual but are on the NAM programming instruction sheet.
Your dealer should be able to print this off on the WIS computer in the shop. Our dealer may have the originals yet, we are very good at archiving this stuff, or a worst case scenario i could print it off our WIS computer and fax it to you. I have no scanner.
Gilly

E320 Phone installation - Help Please!
 

I just began installing a factory phone for my wife's E 320 and this thread has been helpful. So far I have installed the remote control unit and have located the cable in the trunk for the TRU, and the connector in the armrest for the handset. Can someone tell me the following:
1. Where are the TRU mounting brackets supposed to be located in the trunk?
2. Are the adhesive backed rubber strips intended for the TRU bracket to cushion, or "isolate" that unit once put in the mounting bracket?
3. It appears that I will have to remove the armrest "liner" to mount the handset cradle with the two machine screws provided for that purpose. Are there any pitfalls to be aware of when removing/replacing the "liner"?
Thanks for the assistance! :confused: :)

For Gillybenztech
 

Gilly, I got your email and sent you a reply with my fax number. I would like copies of the work instructions for installation and the programming manual as well. It is the 94 E 320. Thanks for the offer of assistance.

BTW, I tried to reply using the link for email at this site, but it would not let me access that feature. I think you may have it blocked to the general membership or something.

Scotty :D

How did it turn out?
 

Hi All,

I have a 92 500E with the same phone as mentioned here.

It does power up. Is there a way to go digital?

I use my handheld and get a VERY weak signal most of the time.

My previous car had a 'mounting kit' with an external antenna.

I never realized how BAD the coverage was for a hand held.

I am very interested in getting the factory phone working or swap out to digital and get the signal boost that an external antenna gives.

Please help!

Thanks,

++db

Dave:
Scotty's install ended up OK. Main problem as I saw it was that he didn't know the small center "sunvisor" had to be removed. He gave me a call later (I was hoping he'd call with the cell phone) and seemed happy with the results.
OK, it's been awhile since I've seen the phone rig on a 92, much less worked on one. I assume this is like Scotty's and the controller is up by the rear view mirror. You say that doesn't do anything, but you can still get a call out with the handset? That's wierd. Possibly the controller by the mirror is part of the problem, but I feel the bulk of the problem may just simply be that it is an analog, and the coverage for analog in your area may be poor. Is the antenna raising up when you turn the handset on?.
Unfortunately, I don't believe there is a way to convert your factory system over to digital. You may be money ahead to just convert over to an aftermarket system. Some of the aftermarket installers can do an excellent job and use the original speakers and microphone, plus it would be a portable phone that you could take with you, not a fixed install like the original. If you are determined to get the original up and running, and getting the overhead control panel working, let me know, I can dig out some of my info about it.
Gilly