Need AUX on S class (W221)

[Luckycharms_74]

Hi all

I have a 2007 SClass W221 and got an Mekede android unit installed that runs apple car play. The installer only realised when installing that there is no AUX on my car.
He advised to use FM transmitter with an AUX cable input but there is a high pitched whine / hum . I know FM transmitters can give issues but this is quite noticeable and annoying to use.

I’m dropping the car to my local garage for them to look at it and try solve the issue.

I have seen online that you can add an AUX connection but not sure how reliable they are, I suppose anything is better then the current situation

I have ordered a new AUX CABLE & ground loop isolator ( I’m not even sure if this will work)

ZIOCOM Ground Loop Noise Isolator, Noise Filter, Eliminate the Buzzing Noise for Car Audio/Home Stereo System with 3.5mm Audio Cable https://amzn.eu/d/akEOvzs

I have read that it needs grounding due to alternator in the car but I honestly don’t know

I have added pic of the new screen & the centre console which only has Bluetooth for phone . There is also nothing in the glove box

Any help would be much appreciated

 

[Larkone]

Can you not play music from your phone - assuming an i-phone - using Apple car play? Failing that does the Mekede support playing music by bluetooth? Whether you can fit an aux port will depend on whether your Mekede unit has an aux input to connect to, nothing to do with the Merc and fitting an aux input socket somewhere is a simple job once you know if the Mekede can have one fitted. However if you have an i-phone how were you planning to connect as most phones have done away with the headphone socket?

 

[Botus]

there is a very active forum of grumpy 221 owners on another forum - I already answered

there is Aux - but its not displayed on early cars - nor has any cables to connect too - so you don't know its there - 20 mins start to finish with dealer kit to make it show up

OP, then he found UHI socket

nope - the UHI in the centre console is phone mono sound only - u need to plug some wires in the back of the comand unit - use pin 6 as ground and 5 and 15 as Left and Right quality of sound is good and the volume normal



there was an optional iPod box that sits under the comand unit (NTG3.0) and links to the comand wiring plug in that link above - the apple 30 pin plug then comes out a hole you drill in the inner most side of the glove box

then you can get a bluetooth thing for it - and with the box you have in the centre console, you thus get BT phone via UHI and BT music via the iPod lead with another gadget AKA tune2air from Viseeo now Bovee the right one for these early Mercs is the WWA1000

Note the iPod optional box puts stuff on the speedo for basic navigation of the unit

Then about a year later they moved to providing RCA phono connectors in the glovebox - but as far as I know there is no way to view anything you just hear it ?

then after sept 2009 the comand unit was swapped for one (NTG3.5) that looks the same and has nearly all the same functionality - except they moved to a grown up way to add junk via propitiatory wires with a funny merc plug in the glove box and real Bluetooth (BT) for the phone inside the comand unit

in today's world don't waste time - go the route of an addon box that does USB, caprplay, andriod nasty and BT phone and BT music etc.

OP, then asked can he turn on Aux by other means

NOTE, its worth checking the date displayed on your comand unit - there's a CD to put the date right - then the clock goes back to normal - check in the ENG menus for the release date of the comand unit in your car (see pic below)

in the clock fix post https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...me-issues.html buried in the files for making an update CD disc in post #137, is instructions to get at the ENG menu of the comand - there are actually slightly later easier instructions - you really just need the cursor to be in the setting menu - then enter the mad combination of comand knob favourites etc. - you don't need to turn the comand on or off. Some people hope (and it is there other model mercs), you might find how to enable Aux in these hidden menus - DON'T fiddle with stuff you don't understand....

I don't think Aux is there to turn on for the w221 - but you may as well check for this number (see pic) - if it says Release 422 then the date and times is wrong / random - if you have a mid 2007 car you need the later file to make an update disc on post #264 (it covers a couple of mid run units the original disc muddled and thus will not update)

If its earlier than 422 then there is a major update for the comand it needs from 2008

 

[Larkone]

@Botus Except he hasn't got a Comand unit - its a Chinese android unit

I have a 2007 SClass W221 and got an Mekede android unit installed that runs apple car play.

 

[Botus]

I have never fitted one of those - and no one clarified as the comand unit on this model does parts of the HVAC controls and is part of the fibre MOST to the amp in the boot - does the android nasty on this model retain the comand unit ?

so I have no idea.... I can see why it might... and then just replace the the screen with a hybrid bit of widescreen junk that allows lots of cheap tat to connect and provide worse sound but with more convenience

the other problem with his post - was he said the person fitting the unit then realised he had no Aux in ??? If it was a full on Android nasty I don't understand how that would be possible ?

there are other ways to retain the quality of the std system, keep a good screen and its amp - but overlay convenience and BT features for streaming with carplay and android auto - a couple out there - one is (note these boxes are not identical between NTG3 and NTG 3.5 ) https://www.joyeauto.com/wjme-smerc...-apple-carplay-airplay-android-auto-solution/

 

[Luckycharms_74]

I have never fitted one of those - and no one clarified as the comand unit on this model does parts of the HVAC controls and is part of the fibre MOST to the amp in the boot - does the android nasty on this model retain the comand unit ?

so I have no idea.... I can see why it might... and then just replace the the screen with a hybrid bit of widescreen junk that allows lots of cheap tat to connect and provide worse sound but with more convenience

the other problem with his post - was he said the person fitting the unit then realised he had no Aux in ??? If it was a full on Android nasty I don't understand how that would be possible ?

there are other ways to retain the quality of the std system, keep a good screen and its amp - but overlay convenience and BT features for streaming with carplay and android auto - a couple out there - one is (note these boxes are not identical between NTG3 and NTG 3.5 ) https://www.joyeauto.com/wjme-smerc...-apple-carplay-airplay-android-auto-solution/

Yeah botus you gave a perfect reply in other forum as well
I should have stated it wasn’t the command unit but the Chinese android .

Looking at your post I should have just went down the route of the Joyauto dongle to use on the factory screen but I’m stuck with this Chinese android now.

I just contacted the installer and he tells me his supplier says there is no aux add on for the mekede unit.

I’m lost to understand what means android nasty

If I can remove the screen then would that help with pictures but from my reading of the post I’m screwed because I’m not dealing with the factory screen

 

[Botus]

the info I just found shows the one I see is indeed just a screen with extras - so it all about turning on the Merc Aux feature of the comand unit that is probably still there

https://www.amazon.com/MekedeTech-Multimedia-Navigation-Mercedes-2005-2013/dp/B08M5Y1KWT?th=1

About this item​

• 【Retain Original Radio System】keep all of OEM function, such as original car radio, amplifier, joystick control, rear view camera all operations are the same as your OEM one

Important Note :

• Ensure your car have AUX or TV function before purchasing. if your car don't have AUX please buy FM transmitter or it will not have soun

Applicable Models:

• For Mercedes Benz S-Class W221: 2006-2009 NTG 3.0
• For Mercedes Benz S-Class W221: 2010-2013 NTG 3.5

Features:

1. Be compatible with cars with/Without Optic fiber.
2. Be compatible with cars with/Without Original Navigation function
3. Be compatible with cars with original screen 2.0/4.3/6.5/7.0/8.0/8.4 inch.
4. Be compatible with factory Canbus , Steering Wheel Control, Door not closed Warnig,Car Info, etc.
5. Support factory joystick control/original Parking trajectory/Radar.
6. Built-in Bluetooth and Support Original Bluetooth.
7. Support original rear view camera and reverse trajector.

 

[Botus]

android nasty - is my reference to the fitment of a bit of goggle spyware - just to add convenience features

 

[Luckycharms_74]

the info I just found shows the one I see is indeed just a screen with extras - so it all about turning on the Merc Aux feature of the comand unit that is probably still there

https://www.amazon.com/MekedeTech-Multimedia-Navigation-Mercedes-2005-2013/dp/B08M5Y1KWT?th=1

About this item​

• 【Retain Original Radio System】keep all of OEM function, such as original car radio, amplifier, joystick control, rear view camera all operations are the same as your OEM one

Important Note :

• Ensure your car have AUX or TV function before purchasing. if your car don't have AUX please buy FM transmitter or it will not have soun

Applicable Models:

• For Mercedes Benz S-Class W221: 2006-2009 NTG 3.0
• For Mercedes Benz S-Class W221: 2010-2013 NTG 3.5

Features:

1. Be compatible with cars with/Without Optic fiber.
2. Be compatible with cars with/Without Original Navigation function
3. Be compatible with cars with original screen 2.0/4.3/6.5/7.0/8.0/8.4 inch.
4. Be compatible with factory Canbus , Steering Wheel Control, Door not closed Warnig,Car Info, etc.
5. Support factory joystick control/original Parking trajectory/Radar.
6. Built-in Bluetooth and Support Original Bluetooth.
7. Support original rear view camera and reverse trajector.

Thanks Botus. My best bet is to go a MB dealer to activate the AUX or a good independent garage.

Then the next issue will be to see if they can actually install an AUX adaptor or cable

 

[Botus]

on the std car you can turn on Aux regardless of whether a unit is plugged in - you just see a new menu and if you select it nothing happens

good indy more likely to suceed and be 1/3rd of the price