I bought a CM2396 head unit and installed it in my '89 190 so that I had cd changer controls. I think the head unit is from a '97 C-Class. I have no cd changer, but I want to connect my Ipod through the cd changer port... I chose the new monstercable ICRUZE.. This unit allows the headunit to control the ipod, similar to the factory BMW set-up. Only problem is, when the icruze is connected, the fader control is disabled. It is disabled on all functions (tape, am/fm) whether the ipod is connected or not.

Monster cable tech support has informed me that this is the design of the headunit... If i were to connect a factory cd changer, I would have no fader control.. I find this hard to believe. Can anyone verify if this is indeed true?

Thanks
Duane

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'89 190E 2.6 5spd
'99 E320 Wagon

They are not lying to you. What they are telling you is that the design of the head unit is causing the fader controls to go away when you connect the ICRUZE. I had a similar head unit in my 95 and it had the CD changer and fader controls.

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1999 C 280 Sport Brilliant Silver
1995 C 280 Arctic White (Sold)

Mods:
Bilstein Sports
Eibach Prokits
17" AMG Style III's
Avante Guarde Grille
Blaupunkt Monterrey MP35
JL Audio 12" Sub, Alpine Amp
CarPC

Coming Soon:
-Built in 7" touchscreen below the stock stereo location.
-Possibly some H&R's.

"I don't care what anyone says, I like my hood star."

still confused... did your fader controls work with the cd changer?

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'89 190E 2.6 5spd
'99 E320 Wagon

Yes they did. I will try to explain this again. What that guy was trying to tell you was that the way the head unit was manufactured, it disables the fader control when you hook in the CD changer aux-in (which probably has something to do with the way that adapter interfaces and interracts with the head unit), but they (the fader controls) will work with a stock CD changer.

__________________
1999 C 280 Sport Brilliant Silver
1995 C 280 Arctic White (Sold)

Mods:
Bilstein Sports
Eibach Prokits
17" AMG Style III's
Avante Guarde Grille
Blaupunkt Monterrey MP35
JL Audio 12" Sub, Alpine Amp
CarPC

Coming Soon:
-Built in 7" touchscreen below the stock stereo location.
-Possibly some H&R's.

"I don't care what anyone says, I like my hood star."

Not that I'm trying to argue with you, but he specifically said that a factory cd changer would also disable the fader. I'm just trying to figure out if I should try again with another device similar to the icruze to connect my ipod throught the cd changer port (my hope being that a different type/brand won't mess with the fader) or give up and by an Alpine or Kenwood head unit. Your proof that the factory cd changer doesn't disable the fader gives me hope that I can find a different Ipod connector for my current system.

By the way, the icruze is a really neat device if anyone is considering an ipod connection (assuming it is compatible with your system!). I like it because it uses the headunit to control the ipod, much safer in my opinion than fiddling with the ipod itself. On sale too 149$ plus a cable that matches your car.

__________________
'89 190E 2.6 5spd
'99 E320 Wagon

There's Denison ICElink. Chekc it out, it's expensive though. And yes, then he was lying to you about the CD changer disabling the fader controls.

__________________
1999 C 280 Sport Brilliant Silver
1995 C 280 Arctic White (Sold)

Mods:
Bilstein Sports
Eibach Prokits
17" AMG Style III's
Avante Guarde Grille
Blaupunkt Monterrey MP35
JL Audio 12" Sub, Alpine Amp
CarPC

Coming Soon:
-Built in 7" touchscreen below the stock stereo location.
-Possibly some H&R's.

"I don't care what anyone says, I like my hood star."

I'm not real familiar with this particular model, but I know that some of the Mercedes radios can be programmed to disable the fader. Mercedes does this particularly for the cabriolet cars that don't have rear speakers. I would talk to a knowledgeable person at a dealer and see what they think. For the radios that are programmable, the Star diagnostic computer can change the fader setting. If you're able to get the radio into a car that the Star computer can connect to, I think it can tell the radio its in a car other than, say an SLK. I don't think this has anything to do with whether there's a changer, or ipod, or whatever, connected to the radio.

I hope this makes sense.
Ray
www.perfectmarketaudio.com

Thanks for the tip.. That's an interesting idea. It does sound like the fader is shifted all the way to the front with the icruze connected. Still doesn't make sense that the fader is functional in one config and disabled in the other.

Oh well, I'm ready to give up anyway. I've gone through 3 MB head units I can't make any of them do exactly what I want. I think I'll put all 3 on ebay and go for an Alpine with their ipod interface..

__________________
'89 190E 2.6 5spd
'99 E320 Wagon