HOW-TO GUIDE FOR CELL PHONE UPGRADES, PLUG-IN AND BLUETOOTH

HOW-TO GUIDE FOR CELL PHONE UPGRADES, PLUG-IN
AND BLUETOOTH
1. Introduction
This document addresses the following cell phone upgrade issues for U.S. specification
Mercedes cars: 1) How to add a compatible plug-in phone to replace StarTacs or TimePorts or
V60 phones when a service provider will no longer register them; 2) How to convert a StarTac,
TimePort, or V60 system to Bluetooth, or to add a Bluetooth system from scratch, in a Model
Year ’00 through ’03 Benz; 3) How to add a cell phone to an ’03-’04 E-Class or ’04 S-Class;
and 4) Cell phone options for plug-in and Bluetooth for MHI equipped cars (’05 and later). It
also briefly addresses 5) compatibility issues and 6) a Tele-Aid digital replacement. So that one
does not have to read through useless information, each of the six matters is addressed by a
subsequent, same-numbered post in this string. You can skip what does not apply.
The document is in seven sections covering the following:
1. Introduction –p.1
2. Replacing A Startac Or Timeport With A Plug-in Phone – p. 3
3. Converting to Bluetooth MY ‘00- ’04 (except ’03-’04 E and ’04 S-Class and CL) – p. 6
4. The Special case: MY ’03-’04 E-Class and ‘04 S-Class and CL – p. 9
5. Upgrade of Cars with Multiple Handset Interface (MHI – MY ’05 and later) – p. 11
6. Compatibility Issues – p. 13
7. Digital Tele-Aid Upgrade and MBrace – p. 15
I have updated this post as of March 2010 to account for new equipment such as the "Universal
PSE" and the "Cradle Eliminator" cable that will aid owners of 2000-2003 cars in equipping their
cars for the many new state "hands free" laws. The new equipment will eliminate the need to
find older equipment such as "Autosense" PSEs and V60 cradles, which are sometimes in short
supply. I thank the contributors who took the time to bring these new devices to my attention.
Covering such a broad set of topics and address each class and type of vehicle would result in a
monstrously long post – this will be long enough as it is. Therefore I will discuss a process for
determining specific needs for your vehicle, using information posted by Paul H. Dick on his
superb website. I use my personal experience with the S-Class as an example, but point out that
other classes will differ in physical location of equipment and may differ in part numbers; those
differences are available on Paul’s site. I will also add that Paul’s knowledge of the ML far
surpasses mine, and suggest that many questions about the ML are better addressed there.
I must also ask your forbearance regarding private messages or e-mails regarding specific cell
phones. If I haven’t mentioned it, I haven’t seen it, and cannot answer specific questions on how
to get it to work with your system. I address how to configure your car’s equipment, and point
you to sources of cell phones that it will work with. I cannot go further. I also do not address
3rd party retrofit, and have no experience with them. My installation experience is limited to my
own S-Class cars, so I have not seen all of the wiring and connectors in each model - for that I
rely on Paul H. Dick's site for the detailed phone bulletins.
How-To Guide for Cell Phone Upgrades
That said, here we go.
A WORD ABOUT PRE-WIRING:
“Pre-wired for hands free communication” (or phone) means that the connecting wire and fiber
optic harnesses are in place. It does NOT mean that the electronics such as the PSE and cradle,
or any other components are present. Cars from the ’00 through ’05 model years were prewired
for phone systems, so that adding the required components was simple (so much so that it’s doit-yourself, except for the version coding of the fiber optics). However, beginning in the ’06
model year MB began omitting the pre-wiring in some models; I do not have a list of which, and
have seen it mentioned only for some models. If your car is not pre-wired for phone, then
extensive and expensive work must be done to install the wire harnesses before other equipment
can be added.
WHAT IS VERSION CODING
Simply stated, Version Coding is programming the fiber optics controller in your car to tell it
that certain electronics are present on the fiber optics bus, and allowing the controller to fully
implement all of the features of the electronics. It is done by a dealer or independent technician
using the "STAR" diagnostics computer (a laptop with Mercedes Benz proprietary software). If
your car had an original equipment hands free phone system installed, and you are upgrading it,
you need not have additional version coding done. The new equipment will work fine. If you
are installing a phone system (or other equipment that operates on the fiber optics bus) for the
first time, the car must be version coded to assure full operation of the new components.
WHERE TO GET PARTS
Your dealer is a good place to start, of course (and don't believe any of them who tell you that
what follows cannot be done). This string will provide you the part numbers you need, in most
cases. It also provides you links to Paul H. Dick's site, a wonderful reference for phone
information including part numbers. You can find more on part numbers (and a wealth of other
information on Mercedes systems) at http://www.mercupgrades.com/ (Mercedes Electronics
upgrades, installation and retrofits). However (with the exception of the new Universal PSE and
the Cradle Eliminator) dealer parts tend to be expensive. You can try ebay; 3rd party suppliers
such as http://www.mbdoctor.com/ (MBDoctor) or
http://www.customcellular.com/Bluetooth_Phones/Untitled/untitled.html (Mercedes Bluetooth; a
Google search will reveal more); and quality salvage yards such as Potomac German Auto,
http://mbpartsonline.com/. My inclusion of these sources is merely representative, and is not
intended to exclude others, which may be as good or better.
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How-To Guide for Cell Phone Upgrades
2. Replacing A Startac Or Timeport With A Plug-in Phone
Before deciding to use a plug-in phone, first consider whether Bluetooth may serve you better; if
so, skip to the next post. The advantages of a plug-in phone are that you get better connectivity
in low-signal areas because the plug-ins use the car’s external antenna; Bluetooth phones use the
cell phone’s internal antenna only. SMS (text message display) is supported by plug-in phones,
but not by any MB Bluetooth configuration.
Mercedes began using the analog/digital StarTac in MY ‘00, succeeding it with the TimePort in
MY ’01. The Portable Support Electronics Equipment (PSE) was similar between the two, with
the TimePort offering caller ID. During MY ’02, and for ’03, the TimePort was replaced by the
Autosense PSE, which could be used with either the TimePort or the V60, by installing the
proper cradle. Cars equipped with the D2B fiber optic bus continued to use the Autosense PSE
into MY ’04.
The StarTac, TimePort, and V60 PSEs (including Autosense) required Mercedes-branded cell
phones that had firmware developed specifically to integrate with the COMAND or other audio
system through the fiber optic network. As a result, these phones were very expensive; and
identical phones not supplied by Mercedes would simply be turned off by the system if plugged
in.
The V60S solution:
Whether your car has a phone system installed, or you are adding one for the first time, the
necessary equipment is the same. The difference is that if you never had a phone system, your
car will have to be “version coded” after the equipment is installed; and you may have to install
brackets, and fuses. Version coding tells the fiber optic bus that the equipment is present; this is
done by a dealer (and some independents) with a STAR diagnostics computer (a laptop with
proprietary MB software).
The short version of the upgrade path for these cars is that you will replace the PSE with an
Autosense version (if you don’t already have one), and then install the Mercedes V60 cradle kit
(not an aftermarket cradle) for your car. Then, add the V60S (Verizon only) phone - see AWS
(Welcome to AWS for Mercedes-Benz). Older V60 phones than the V60S cannot be used; they
are not E911 compliant and will not be accepted by any U.S. service provider.
The first step when upgrading is to check the equipment you already have, including the Portable
Support Electronics (PSE) and the phone cradle. If you purchased a pre-owned car, prior owners
may have made changes. The most important part of the upgrade is the PSE. The PSE part
numbers are as follows: StarTac PSE has part numbers Q 682 0460 or 9460, SYN 0234 A or B;
the TimePort PSE has Q 682 0648 or 9648 (I don't know its SYN); and an Autosense has
numbers Q 682 0754, SYN 9266A or B. The straight V60 PSE had numbers Q 682 0845, or
0886, SYN 9266B. The "Q" numbers may also show "BQ" (BQ 682 etc.) Since MB often
upgrades equipment midstream in a production year, the best way to determine what you have is
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How-To Guide for Cell Phone Upgrades
to take it out and look at it, per the phone bulletins. If you have a StarTac or Timeport PSE, you
will have to replace your PSE with the “Autosense” version.
In addition, the Autosense PSE Q682 0754 has been replaced by a "Universal PSE" PN
Q682 0971 and it was only $208. However, if your later-production '02 or '03 model already
has an Autosense PSE (Q 682 0754, SYN 9266A or B) you may continue to use it. It may be
easier to purchase a Universal PSE than to find an Autosense.
You will need a V60 cradle, but there are several approaches. The newest cradle, part # BQ 682
0925, was made for the V60S phone. The V60S phone was larger than other V60 models, and
required a larger cradle. Contributors have reported that in some cases, use of the older cradles
caused poor contact with the V60 puck, resulting in echo and sometimes dropped calls.
However, the cradle is made with FAKRA connectors that do not fit the connectors in the '00-'02
models. Mercedes has begun supplying adapters with that kit, so if you have one of those
models, be sure to get one that has them.
The other kits for the '03 and '04 models (in most cases this is part number Q 682 0724; but
please check the phone bulletins on Paul H. Dick’s site,
http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsite/phone_bulletins.htm) may also work. If your car did not
have a phone system installed, you may also need fuses, brackets, and other miscellaneous small
items - you will need the kit, not just the cradle, because it contains the holder necessary for the
cradle.
There is now a V60 Cradle Eliminator Cable PN Q682 0976. It goes for $160. Contributor
Vrodman says "This cable requires no adapters or anything else. It is actually marketed to be
used for the BT puck solution," and some contributors have reported some success using it with
the V60S phone without a cradle. In some Mercedes literature, the V60 puck is called the "V60
cradle adapter." They are one and the same.
Original equipment plug-in systems use the car’s external antenna, not the cell phone’s. MY ’00
cars were by and large equipped with single-band linear compensators and antenna switches.
The linear compensator is a low-powered amplifier that makes up for signal loss in the system,
and the antenna switch connects the Tele-Aid system to the car’s external antenna when it is in
use. The linear compensator should be replaced with the dual-band version from the ’01 model
year or later. The antenna switch need not be replaced; the analog Tele-Aid system was
discontinued in 2009 because the FCC has reallocated its frequencies. The antenna leads can be
wired direct, bypassing the antenna switch. The car’s external antenna does not have to be
replaced (no matter what the dealer says)!!!
Dual band linear compensators are available on e-Bay, periodically, for about $50-$75 (perhaps
less). So are dual band antenna switches. Both are available from dealers as individual
components (last time I checked, compensators were about $400 and antenna switches about
$150 from my dealer). In most cases, the compensators and antenna switches are the same
among different classes, with only the mounting bracket being different.
MY ’01 and later cars had dual band equipment installed in the first place, so no change is
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How-To Guide for Cell Phone Upgrades
required. MBWorld contributor Vrodman has also informed is that his dealer says linear
compensators are no longer available from MB, and the recommendation is for owners to use
a Bluetooth solution instead. (Note: This is a problem only if you are upgrading a '00 or if you
are installing a phone system for the first time).
The phone bulletins on Paul H. Dick’s website,
http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsite/phone_bulletins.htm contain installation instructions,
diagrams, photographs, and part number listings. They tell you what kind of fiber optic bus your
car has, cover installation of the voice control unit and CD changer, version coding of the fiber
optic bus – and on the last page, provides the part numbers for PSEs, brackets, and cradle kits.
NOTE 1: Contributor MWAti has done a superb job documenting his installation of OE cell
equipment from scratch, bringing a 2002 C-Class and a 2003 SLK to the V-60 configuration. His
pdf file is a wonderful "How to" guide for these cars, with photos, installation instructions; and
part numbers for the equipment. A really great job! See http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audiotelematics-forum/1331984-mb-hf-phone-vcm-bt-install-c-coupe-slk.html
IMPORTANT: One must also be aware that the over-the-air update feature of some service
providers can overwrite the Mercedes firmware, rendering the phone useless with the car when
plugged in. The car will shut the phone down. This applies to Verizon's *228 Option 1
programming feature, for example (using *228 Option 2 updates roaming information, and does
not have any ill effects on an MB branded phone).
The same applies if a firmware update is flashed to an MB branded phone in-store.
AWS can provide the proper code for activation of the phones to get past this problem, but you
must first provide them with certain information.
The advantage of using a plug-in phone, instead of Bluetooth, is that one is assured of
compatibility with the car's system; and the phone can be left in the car, and a second line used
with a second phone that can be changed whenever desired, without compatibility worries.
Using no-answer call forwarding on one of the phones assures that all calls are received.
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How-To Guide for Cell Phone Upgrades
3. CONVERTING TO BLUETOOTH, MY ‘00-’04 (except ’03-’04 E and ’04 S-Class &
CL)
Whether your car has a phone system installed, or you are adding one for the first time, the
necessary equipment is the same. The difference is that if you never had a phone system, your
car will have to be “version coded” after the equipment is installed; and you may have to install
brackets, and fuses. Version coding tells the fiber optic bus that the equipment is present; this is
done by a dealer (and some independents) with a STAR diagnostics computer (a laptop with
proprietary MB software). This post will treat vehicles as if they have a phone already installed,
but you can also apply the information to equip a car that never had a phone system.
The Cradle Eliminator Cable and Bluetooth Puck Solution - Perhaps the Simplest
The newest and possibly least difficult solution for cars already having an older phone system
installed is a straight Bluetooth solution using the new "Cradle Eliminator Cable" and possibly a
new "Universal PSE" together with the V60 Bluetooth Puck. The V60 Cradle Eliminator Cable,
PN Q682 0976, sells for $160, and is used with the V60 Bluetooth puck, PN B 6 787 5856.
Contributor Vrodman says "This cable requires no adapters or anything else. It is actually
marketed to be used for the BT puck solution."
The cradle eliminator cable will work also with the Autosense PSE, and with StarTac and
TimePort PSEs that have a "blue label" (the blue label indicated a particular update to the PSE
had been done; I do not know more about that update). It is not necessary to purchase a
"Universal" PSE" (referenced below) if you have one of these "blue label" PSEs. It is still
necessary to purchase a V60 Bluetooth puck to use with the cable for full Bluetooth (non plugin) use. The Cradle Eliminator Cable does not have a connection to the car's external antenna. It
was intended for straight Bluetooth use. If you drive in a weak signal area, it may not be the best
solution.
The cradle eliminator cable is a cable with an RJ-45 phone connector on one end (that plugs into
the console) and a Motorola V60 connector on the other (that plugs into the V60 puck).
NOTE: The "Puck with tail" - a V60 puck with a connector cable already built in, part number B
6 787 5855 - is made with connectors for cars having the CP-211 communications platform
discussed in the next post; it is not a substitute for the separate V60 puck coupled with the Cradle
Eliminator Cable. The connections to the console are different.
What is the "Blue Label"? The TimePort PSE I upgraded to in my '00 W220 had the "blue
label" update; it was indicated by a blue marker pen slash across the original white label, and
also a blue stick-on dot about 1/2 inch in diameter. I do not know if other markings were used.
The only way I know to check it is to take the PSE out and look at it (see the phone bulletins,
Phone Bulletins, for where to find it and how to install; just reverse the steps to remove).
The original '00 StarTac PSE that I replaced with the TimePort (to get caller ID) did not have a
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How-To Guide for Cell Phone Upgrades
"blue label" update; it had only its original white label, with no blue marker pen strokes, and no
blue dot.
Contributor Vrodman suggests that one may be able to plug a V60S handset directly into the
cradle eliminator cable, instead of a BT puck - but plugging a V60S into it was not something
Vrodman had tested. Also note that in some Mercedes literature, the V60 puck is called the "V60
cradle adapter," or sometimes, the "V60 Cradle replacer" These are just other names for the
"puck", and are not to be confused with the "Cradle Eliminator."
The Universal PSE and When You Need It: The new "Universal PSE," PN Q682 0971, is
designed for handsfree use in the '00 through '05 cars designed for the StarTac, TimePort or V60,
and it sells for $208. The Universal PSE offers a handsfree upgrade path, either for straight
Bluetooth applications or for MB-branded plug-in phones, for cars not equipped with an MHI
system, dating back to the '00 model year. Web sites marketing the "Universal PSE" indicate that
it would replace non blue label StarTac and TimePort PSEs, or could be used in cars that never
had a StarTac, TimePort, or V60 phone (Autosense PSE) installed. While I have no confirmation
at this time, I believe that the Universal PSE can be used with a V60 cradle, instead of using a
"cradle eliminator cable." However, if you use it with the V60 cradle, be sure to read the caveats
below regarding cradle sizes and also the necessary connector adapters.
The V60S Cradle and Bluetooth Puck Solution
The principal advantage of this approach over the Cradle Eliminator Cable is that it provides a
firm mounting point for the Bluetooth puck, which may suit drivers with flip-up phone
compartments better than having the puck lie loose.
The short version of the upgrade path is that you will replace the PSE with an Autosense version
(if you don’t already have one), and then install the Mercedes V60 cradle kit (not an aftermarket
cradle) for your car. Then, add the Bluetooth puck from AWS (Welcome to AWS for MercedesBenz). Note that some Mercedes literature refers to the "puck" as the "V60 cradle adapter." They
are one and the same.
The first step when upgrading is to check the equipment you already have, including the Portable
Support Electronics (PSE) and the phone cradle. If you purchased a pre-owned car, prior owners
may have made changes. The most important part of the upgrade is the PSE. The PSE part
numbers are as follows: StarTac PSE has part numbers Q 682 0460 or 9460, SYN 0234 A or B;
the TimePort PSE has Q 682 0648 or 9648 (I don't know its SYN); and an Autosense has
numbers Q 682 0754, SYN 9266A or B. The straight V60 PSE had numbers Q 682 0845, or
0886, SYN 9266B. The "Q" numbers may also show "BQ" (BQ 682 etc.) Since MB often
upgrades equipment midstream in a production year, the best way to determine what you have is
to take it out and look at it, per the phone bulletins. If you have a StarTac or Timeport PSE
withiut a blue label, you will have to replace your PSE with the “Autosense” version or with a
“Universal PSE.”
You will need a V60 cradle, but there are several approaches. The most successful is to use the
newest cradle, part # BQ 682 0925 (or newer), made for the V60S phone. The V60S phone was
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How-To Guide for Cell Phone Upgrades
larger than other V60 models, and required a larger cradle. Contributors have reported that in
some cases, use of the older cradles caused poor contact with the V60 puck, resulting in echo and
sometimes dropped calls. However, the cradle is made with FAKRA connectors that do not fit
the connectors in the '00-'02 models. Mercedes has begun supplying adapters with that kit, so if
you have one of those models, be sure to get one that has them. If you buy an ebay or other used
cradle, you may or may not not get the adapters. Check for them.
The other kits for the '03 and '04 models (in most cases this is part number Q 682 0724; but
please check the phone bulletins on Paul H. Dick’s site, Phone Bulletins) may also work. If your
car did not have a phone system installed, you may also need fuses, brackets, and other
miscellaneous small items - you will need the kit, not just the cradle, because it contains the
holder necessary for the cradle.
If you have an ’03 or an ‘04 model with an OE phone installation, (except the ’03-’04 E Class
and the ’04 S-Class) you are home free. You should already have the V60 “Autosense” PSE, and
the V60 cradle.
All you need now is a V60 Bluetooth puck (or "cradle adapter" if you prefer from AWS
(Welcome to AWS for Mercedes-Benz) and plug it into your current cradle. It's about $325.
Mate a compatible Bluetooth phone (not necessarily one purchased from AWS – but see
compatibility notes, later), and you're done.
For all models discussed, however, be aware that your V60 Bluetooth installation will use your
cell phone’s antenna for communication with cell towers (it uses Bluetooth only to communicate
with your COMAND or phone/audio system). The glass in MB cars has metallic IR coatings
molded into it, which will reduce the signal between the phone and the tower. This may be worse
where additional metallic films have been added.
But there is a solution. SmoothTalker sells cradles for a variety of Bluetooth phones and PDAs
(at this time, Motorola, Nokia, and Blackberry) that will again connect your Bluetooth phone to
the car’s external antenna, and allow charging as well. See
http://www.smoothtalker.com/products/hands_free_holders_cradles_v710.php.
If you have a ’00 and use this option, however, you may need to upgrade your linear
compensator to a dual band model; see the discussion on replacing StarTacs and Timeports with
a plug-in phone, above. Note that Vrodman has also informed is that his dealer says linear
compensators are no longer available from MB, and the recommendation is for owners to use a
bluetooth solution instead. (Note: This is a problem only if you are upgrading a '00 or if you are
installing a phone system for the first time).
NOTE: MWAti has done a superb job documenting his installation of OE cell equipment from
scratch, bringing a 2002 C-Class and a 2003 SLK to the V-60 configuration - the first step in this
process if you have no phone equipment or must update an older system. His pdf file is a
wonderful "How to" guide for these cars, with photos, installation instructions; and part numbers
for the equipment. A really great job! See http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audio-telematicsforum/1331984-mb-hf-phone-vcm-bt-install.html
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How-To Guide for Cell Phone Upgrades
4. THE SPECIAL CASE: MY ’03-’04 E-Class, ‘04 S-Class and CL
The MY ’03-’04 (W211) E Class, ’04 S-Class and '04 CL were equipped with a PSE that
combined the Tele-Aid and cell phone support equipment into one unit called the CP-211
(Communications Platform 211). This means that all of the cars in the subject line already have
the "PSE" - and need very little else to complete their phone system, whether it was ever ordered
with the car or not.
The '03 W210 E-Class has an Autosense PSE, and the immediate preceding post should be
followed for that model.
If one wishes to go straight to Bluetooth, and not use a plug-in phone or cradle, then the "Puck
with Tail" may be used. This puck differs from the V60 puck used in other ’00-04 cars. The
"Puck with Tail" part number, for use with the CP-211, is B 6 787 5855, and it replaces the
cradle (and therefore is sometimes called a "cradle replacer"). This is a particularly easy solution
if the car does not already have a V60 cradle. THIS MEANS THAT TO COMPLETE THE
BLUETOOTH PHONE SYSTEM, A "PUCK WITH TAIL" AND A COMPATIBLE PHONE IS
ALL THAT IS NECESSARY. The rest of the equipment is already in place in these cars. The
"Puck with Tail" looks like a V60 puck with a wire and connectors attached. The connectors are
plugged into the same ones in the center console that would be used to connect the V60 cradle.
The phone bulletins for your car will show those connections. See
http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsite/phone_bulletins.htm.
Also, combining a "Cradle eliminator cable" mentioned in preceding posts and "V60 puck"
combination is not the same as the "Puck with Tail" - the connections to the console are
different. The "cradle eliminator cable/V60 puck" combination is used only with the Universal
PSE, or with Blue Label StarTac, Timeport, or Autosense PSEs discussed in the prededing post.
The "Puck with Tail" is used only with CP-211 equipped cars ('03-'04 W211, '04 S-Class, and '04
CL).
To use a plug-in phone in a car that has never had a phone installed, all that is necessary in these
cars is to “activate” the cell option with STAR diagnosis, and add the proper V60 cradle (kit Q
682 0882 for the S-Class; Q 682 0828 for the ’03 or ’04 E-Class). In addition, the E-Class phone
bulletins indicate that a linear compensator and cable are necessary (only for plug-in operation),
and the ’03 E-Class with Audio 50 requires a firmware update.
A caveat for owners of cars other than the E-Class, S-Class and CL discussed in this section:
The V60S cradle for the '03-'04 E-Class and '04 S-Class uses FAKRA connectors that are not the
same as the connectors for the V-60 cradle for other models, and it should not be substituted
unless you can get the adapters that are necessary. The adapters are included with newer V60S
cradles sold through the dealership.
Installation the cradle, or alternatively the "Puck with Tail," connect to the same connections
shown for the V60 cradle in the phone bulletins,
[url]http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsite/phone_bulletins.htm[/url]
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How-To Guide for Cell Phone Upgrades
I don’t know if the CP-211 can be made to work in installations for which it was not designed
(i.e., in cars other than the model mentioned here).
A special word on version coding if you have a CP-211: Some contributors report that they have
not had to have their phone system version coded after installing the V60 cradle or the puck with
tail. Their phones have worked right away (probably because the fiber optic controller had been
version coded for Tele-Aid, which is part of the CP-211). Others have reported that some
features did not work properly - such as showing information on the instrument cluster display until version coding was done. Proper version coding should ensure that all features that should
be included in the system are present.
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How-To Guide for Cell Phone Upgrades
5. UPGRADE OF CARS WITH MULTIPLE HANDSET INTERFACE (MHI – MY ’05
and later)
The MHI system is used in U.S. specification cars equipped with the MOST fiber optic bus from
model year ’05 on. Please note that the changeover from D2B to MOST bus occurred in
different years for different models. If you have questions about whether you have MOST or
D2B fiber optics, the phone bulletins at
http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsite/phone_bulletins.htm will generally tell you; unfortunately,
not all models are covered. If necessary, see the last 2 paragraphs of this section.
MHI equipped cars can use either 1) a cradle designed for a specific Mercedes-branded plug-in
phone that offers full integration; or 2) a Bluetooth puck that replaces the plug-in cradle, and
works with different kinds of Bluetooth phones; or 3) a phone-specific Bluetooth/cradle
combination that connects the phone (or PDA) to the car’s external antenna. The AWS website
at [url=http://www.wireless4mb.com/]Home[/url] covers all of these options with a vehicle
equipment compatibility matrix and a phone compatibility page for your car.
The plug-in phones offered by AWS for MHI are still expensive, because they still use the MB
proprietary firmware for integration. Non-MB branded plug-in phones still will not work with
MHI in a plugged-in mode (non-MB branded plug-in phones such as the Motorola V710 that
also have Bluetooth capability can be used with the MB Bluetooth unit, subject to the equipment
and firmware limitations discussed earlier).
The Bluetooth puck for MHI can be used with a variety of non-MB branded Bluetooth phones,
subject to the same limitations as those discussed for the V60 puck for earlier models. The MHI
puck also uses the phone’s antenna, not the car’s, in the Bluetooth mode, unless one purchases
either a cradle such as the SmoothTalker,
http://www.smoothtalker.com/products/hands_free_holders_cradles_v710.php or one of the
AWS cradle/Bluetooth combination units listed on their site. The advantage of such a
combination unit is that one can connect to the car’s external antenna for greater signal strength
(stronger signal, fewer dropped calls, less static, and sometimes better voice quality) than one
gets using only the phone’s antenna; but where signal strength is satisfactory, the phone need not
be plugged in. The combo units also allow charging of the phone in the car.
The equipment necessary to add an MHI system if none was installed is shown in the phone
bulletins (http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsite/phone_bulletins.htm); it consists primarily of an
MHI control module (akin to the PSE in earlier systems), a contact plate for attaching a cradle or
puck, and the plug-in cradle or Bluetooth puck or puck/cradle combination, and some minor
wiring for final connections. If you are going to use a plug-in phone or a Bluetooth puck/cradle
combo, together with Tele-Aid, you will also need a linear compensator and an antenna switch.
If you will not use Tele-Aid, you can omit the antenna switch.
The fastest way to determine whether your car has an MHI installation is to check your center
console for the "contact plate" into which a cradle or a Bluetooth puck will slide. The phone
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How-To Guide for Cell Phone Upgrades
bulletins have photographs of the console and the contact plate location for each model. If you
have the contact plate, you probably have the rest of the supporting electronics. If not, you
probably need to buy and install it. Part numbers of necessary equipment is in the phone
bulletins (usually).
There is also a simple way to confirm whether your car has a D2B or a MOST fiber optic bus.
You can tell for sure by looking at one of the connectors (there is one at each of your
components on the fiber optic loop). D2B connectors have a red and a white plastic lens, both
raised and prominent. See Mercedes D2B Fibre Optics,
http://www.mercupgrades.com/Mercedes+D2B+Fibre+Optics-article-7.html. The connectors for
MOST have two white lenses that are slightly recessed, and also have small arrows designating
the direction of light, and a blue release for the ends of the cable.
The first photo on the left below is of the end of a male D2B connector. On the right is a MOST
male connector; arrow "A" indicates the release, and arrow "B" shows the directional arrows.
Both types of connectors may be straight or curved.
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How-To Guide for Cell Phone Upgrades
6. COMPATIBILITY ISSUES
The following compatibility issues apply to all current MB Bluetooth units, regardless of
whether they are V60 pucks, MHI pucks, or MHI cradle/Bluetooth combo units.
According to American Wireless Solutions, the cell phone sales unit that Mercedes has partnered
with for wireless communication in its vehicles, compatibility issues are twofold: 1) equipment
compatibility, and 2) firmware compatibility. AWS tests both phones and firmware for
compatibility with the Peiker-manufactured MB Bluetooth equipment. They test phones in
addition to those that they sell, and firmware other than that used in phones that they sell.
However, firmware is provided by individual cell providers; AWS has no control over it, and
does not write the firmware. The AWS website has a compatibility matrix for vehicles and
Bluetooth equipment on its site; and the phones it sells are compatible (“approved”). AWS uses
a 90-day test period for phones and firmware. Before you purchase a phone from a source other
than AWS, you should check with them when you buy your Bluetooth equipment to see if the
phone and firmware you are buying is compatible. In some cases, AWS will not ship the
equipment unless you verify that you have a compatible phone and firmware.
The compatibility issues manifest themselves in freeze-ups of COMAND, failure to properly
download phone books, dropped calls or disconnects from the Bluetooth unit, and poor voice
quality. For more on these issues, see:
1) http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/audio-electronics/180547-bluetooth-voice-qualityassessment-razr-v3-cradle-combo.html for a discussion of compatibility and connectivity issues;
it deals with the RAZR V3, but is applicable to most phones.
2) http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/audio-electronics/186182-partial-solution-partial-bt-phonebook-downloads.html - post2083799 for a discussion on some phone book download problems
not caused by firmware conflicts, that may appear as conflicts.
AWS advises that some folks are able to get phone book downloads, etc. with unapproved
firmware, but eventually they run into problems with system freezes, inability to download
features they could in the past, and they may experience poor voice quality. I have no personal
experience with this. Some folks have no problem with some unapproved firmware, AWS says,
because their phones have firmware that is compatible in fact, but that has not been tested (after
it is tested, and works, it is "approved"). The test is a 3-month trial process.
Some recurrent compatibility problems: Sprint firmware; TREO PDAs.
As of this writing, the newest and most compatible MHI Bluetooth pucks are part numbers B 6
787 5878 and B 6 787 6131 (one is blue, the other black, and I believe they both have Bluetooth
2.0 firmware). The current V60 Bluetooth puck is part number B 6 787 5856, and the "Puck
with Tail" is B 6 787 5855.
Phone and Firmware Compatibility: AWS lists MB approved phone and firmware
combinations at http://www.wireless4mb.com/MB.pdf and also for each Class at
http://www.wireless4mb.com/
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How-To Guide for Cell Phone Upgrades
STILL ANOTHER SOLUTION
If a Bluetooth installation will not meet your needs, but the phone you wish to carry is Bluetooth
only, consider a two-line solution. Use a plug-in phone in your car; sign up for a family plan,
and get a second number, and assign that number to the phone you carry. Give out only one
number, and set that number for no-answer call forwarding (if your carrier offers this feature).
Regardless of which phone you elect to carry, you will always receive calls in your car on a
phone that is fully integrated with it, and through which all of the design features of the car’s
system are available (including display on COMAND or other audio system, better signal
strength, full phone book download, and the like). And, you can carry whatever phone you like.
This is especially affordable if you are already on a family plan.
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How-To Guide for Cell Phone Upgrades
7. Tele-aid Upgrade To Digital
The U.S. FCC reallocated the frequencies used by the analog Tele-Aid system in early 2008, and
MB has discontinued its analog Tele-Aid service. Most models having analog Tele-Aid can be
upgraded to a digital system. One contributor has reported that he had the Tele-Aid upgrade
done; Cost for the new Tele-Aid unit is $600; plus $294 for 1 year of service; or plus $548 for 2
years of service. These are MB MSRP, but the dealer is free to set its own price. Prices do not
include labor.
The MBUSA website indicates that some MY '00 S-Class cars may not be able to be retrofitted;
other ‘00s may be able. Later models can be retrofitted.
In addition, Mercedes is converting its Tele-Aid service to a new one called MBrace. See
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/ - /mbracefaqs/ - unfortunately, the transition has not always
been a smooth one. See http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audio-telematics-forum/1497496upgraded-mbrace-caution.html and http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audio-telematicsforum/1483063-mbrace-kicks-off-today.html. One can anticipate that the growing pains will be
worked out.
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