Using the Euro parts (CanBus Adapter, Gerate harness, etc.) mentioned in Benza's pub at BenzWorld, I have retrofit a '01 MCS into a 98 ML320.

The MCS works perfectly EXCEPT the screen does not dim when I turn on the headlights. Also, with the headlights on, I should have a menu option under ADJ for LGHT, which is not present.

The radio harness was mangled by a previous owner, and I had to order the connectors and pins from MB and re-wire the connectors.

At the end of the gerate adapter harness, I have 12v across A6 and A8 when the headlights are on, and 0v when the headlights are off, which agrees with Wolfgang's MCS pinout. So, I think the connectors are wired correctly.

Is there some sort of initial setup for the MCS? Since I have a '98, I don't think the dealer can help (AAM). When power is applied, the radio code is requested, but I don't see any initial setup menu anywhere.

Any ideas? At night, its like having street glows INSIDE the truck!

Thanks!

BTW, I'm a first time poster. Looks like a great forum!

No, there's no initial setup or anything like that, other than entering the code, then it's ready to go.
Where'd you get the MCS, any chance that this is why it's not in a 2000 or newer ML?
Does the "bright" switch in the lower corner (to make it brighter in bright sunlight) do anything?
I'd have to get a ML diagram and study it to give you any kind of test steps.
The dimmer switch on the dash should be doing the dimming of the MCS.

Gilly

"Brightness Switch in the lower corner"? Sorry, I don't see that.

I bought the MCS as a part of a plan to install DVD NAV. The major change from 00 to 01 was the CD changer, which went fiber optic in 01. I don't have a changer, so I didn't care.

Thanks!

The switch I'm referring to is a "soft" key, the function is listed on the blue screen, the hard switch below the screen is what is pressed, it's on the right, maybe not the extreme right.
With the headlights off the switch makes the screen even brighter in case the sun is shining more or less "on" the screen. It works pretty good, i've had to use it before.

I may be able to get ahold of an MCS wiring diagram later this week.

Gilly

Oh. Like I said ...

I have the 2001 MCS pinout already. Info beyond that would be appreciated.

Another detail I thought of is this:
If you have the pin-out, you notice there should be one wire going to the diagnostic link. If you wire that up to the appropriate port in the diagnostic link, a tech could enter into the MCS with the SDS computer, but I don't think there would be much he could do, but it's worth a shot.

We're talking about 2 different things in regards to that key, I'm just curious if it works or not, it makes the radio display brighter, not dimmer, and isn't adjustable.

In addition to the display not getting dimmer when the lights are switched on, I assume if you lower the brightness of the instrument cluster with the adjusting knob nothing happens to the radio brightness?
I believe the code for the instrument panel light circuit is 58, have you checked that one and seen if it varies with the instrument panel adjustment knob being turned?

Gilly

PS Just realized you say the "ADJ"/"LGHT" option isn't present with the headlights on. This feature I believe may only be present with the headlights OFF, as it's intended for use during the day if sunlight is hitting the MCS faceplate, as it tends to get "washed out" in direct sunlight. Try it with the headlights off once.

Ok, you got me curious now. Here is a picture of my MCS. With the headlights on or off, I can push the ADJ button ...



And LGHT doesn't appear - only Fade, Balance, etc. Also, looking at the front of the MCS, I don't see any other controls having to do with Brightness.




That's right. The illumination intensity of controls to the MCS do vary along with the insturment panel, but not the screen.

Ah, no, no difference.

BTW, this is the mess I started with. The white plug was spliced in to accomodate the Alpine head unit. The OEM plugs were discarded in the process.



I've checked and re-checked all my connections, including the gerate adapter and CAN Bus adapters. Everything appears OK. Also, I discovered the 12v between A6 and A8 appears when the parking lots are turned on (I mistakenly said Headlights before). I'm sure that controls the illumination of the MCS controls. I checked all the pins against ground, and none are specific to the headlights coming on.

Gilly, I appreciate your efforts, but I think I may have a bad MCS. Other '01 owners I've spoked with say that the MCS controls illuminate with the parking lights, and, as soon as the headlights are turned on, two things happen ... 1) the MCS screen dims, and 2) the ADJ screen now includes the LGHT/DARK menu option. Neither of those two things happen for me.

Maybe you know someone with an MCS (2000+) ML who would allow you to swap in their MCS as a test to see if theirs will work properly in your truck? Just a thought, it would eliminate a whole lot of testing. Make sure you have the radio code for theirs if you do it.

Gilly

The answer is contained in my conversation with Wolfgang in this thread.