R129 factory fit telephone - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jjrodger · #1 12-09-2003, 04:31 PM

Due to the change in the law in the UK (using a hand held mobile phone now falls foul of the law) I am looking at fitting a handsfree set up. I know I could buy a Nokia system cheaply, and it would even mute the radio when the phone rang. However, i want to retro-fit the phone system that was available ex-works for my car. This would allow me to control the phone from the Audio 30 head unit, which has telephone functionality.

The car was available with an optional fixed telephone, stored in the centre console armrest box, and based around a Nokia 6090 and the Audio 30 with an antenna. Alternatively, a cradle and Nokia 6100 series phone, again mounted in the centre console armrest box, and again working in conjunction with the Audio 30 headunit and an external antenna, was available (this is much the same as the set up with new cars). I would have either.

My dealer is doing his best but this is not an usual request. i need information! Does anyone know the part numbers required? In particular, we need information about the necessary wiring looms. Controlling the phone from the Audio 30 headunit is the essential "stock" functionality that I seek.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

bwheitman · #2 12-26-2003, 07:26 PM

I have tinkered with my SL and wired my iPod into the amp system to have digital music through my audio system. While doing so I discovered several things. The phone uses a ground wire to mute the sound system to the head unit, This also pauses the CD Player, it also has it's own two speakers in each side of the front dash, there is a mic over the driver between the glass and the roof. There are only 5 wires from the head unit to the amp including the remote switchwire that also includes the antanae. There are several sites I have seen posted on the BB that tell you how to wire a Nokia hands free to work like the factory unit. Good luck!
Regards,
Brian

Gilly · #3 12-26-2003, 07:39 PM

I don't believe this used a Nokia phone. When it went to the phone with the keypad, it had fiber optics connections to the PSE unit in the trunk (part of the kit) and used I believe a Motorola Microtac phone (predeccesor to the Startac, not a flip-phone, but still a portable phone, as opposed to hard-wire, and I kind of liked the size of the Microtac).
The real problem for me is I don't know if the type of cell phones they have there in jolly olde England are the same as here in the US. What I do know in relation to US systems is that the old Microtac I believe was analog only, not digital, so not much use any longer, at least over here. Maybe the phones they used in England in 99 are still good to use. I wouldn't want to try quoting any part numbers without knowing if the US and England use the same phone technology. The term that comes to mind regarding technology used in other countries is GSM? Here in the US I guess we use a different type of protocol, it's either CDMA or TDMA, but again I don't thing MB had any digital phones until 2000 with the StarTac phone.

Gilly

jjrodger · #4 12-27-2003, 05:15 AM

Since posting this thread I've done a lot of research with the assistance of my dealer who, I am pleased to say, has been excellent.

The dealer is Western Mercedes in Coldstream in the Scottish borders. It has proved itself consistently brilliant.

Gilly is correct in his description of the system. From the Audio 30 headunit runs a fibre optic ring called D2B (Domestic Digital Bus). The CD-Changer sits on the ring as does (on other vehicles) the multi-function steering wheel. A mobile telephone can be integrated into the car's audio system and controlled using the Audio 30 by connecting it to the D2B ring.

This requires an interface or adapter. The interface connects to the fibre optic ring. The phone is then connected to the interface. The phone sits in a "handy holder" cradle.

There are different interfaces for different phones. In Europe Mercedes cars are supplied with Nokia telephones. The most up to date interface is part number 203 820 85 25 (I think). This will drive phones up to and including the Nokia 6310i.

I think that in the US Mercedes cars were supplied with Motorola phones. I presume these have a different interface.

Gilly · #5 12-27-2003, 05:24 AM

The steering wheel on most MB's is an input to either the instrument cluster or electronic ignition switch (98 and newer), there are some fancier versions which have a steering jacket control module. This in turn transfers the steering wheel button inputs to the radio or COMAND. The steering wheel switches have never been on the fiber optics ring.

Gilly

bwheitman · #6 12-27-2003, 09:10 AM

wow, sounds like some really complicated stuff, sometimes I am glad I have an older car because a fiber optic interface seems a little over the edge for me, Glad you are getting it figured out though.
Regards,
Brian

jjrodger · #7 12-27-2003, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gilly
The steering wheel on most MB's is an input to either the instrument cluster or electronic ignition switch (98 and newer), there are some fancier versions which have a steering jacket control module. This in turn transfers the steering wheel button inputs to the radio or COMAND. The steering wheel switches have never been on the fiber optics ring.

Gilly

You may be right about that. The other stuff that is on the fibre optic ring includes Teleaid and Voice Recognition modules. There is some general information available in MB service bulletin S-SI-82.64/135. This is available here: http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsite3/S-SI-82.64%20135.pdf

I believe D2B is no longer used and had a relatively short life. This stuff is way over my head.