RETROFIT : R230 SL UHI + Bluetooth upgrade (Euro spec) + HOW TO USE MB Bluetooth

The old curly cord 6310i cradle

Armrest and middle trim removed. The black box in far left is the old control module soon to be replaced with D2B UHI controller

Armrest with parts removed. Ready for upgrades.

Specially made adapter lead for antenna. Mini-UHF on one end and SMB fakra on the other end. Similar treatment was given to the data cable.

New armrest insert

Underside of the insert showing the new connectors

UHI + Bluetooth (Mercedes) now in place

Bluetooth welcome screen

Notes on using the BT system. ======================================

Holding down the MB logo on the BT module for 2 seconds put the BT module into active mode (rapid LED blink) ANSWER / DIAL / PICK UP: Gives you a list of phones that are nearby or the "search" feature. (on COMAND only) CLICKING ON THE PHONE: Gives you the pairing code (16 digits)

Other notes ====================================== a) When the pairing is good the system disconnects and then starts up again. If your phone is NOT set to AUTOMATIC then the phone will ask you for pairing permission. b) To set the AUTOMATIC feature you must look at the pairing profile for the MBPHONE profile inside the phone. c) There are two kinds of profiles in Bluetooth being used. One is for SIMM ACCESS PROFILE (to answer calls) and one is for SERIAL PROFILE (only used for phonebook). That means if you setup the phone the first time it will reboot twice. If you set the phone to AUTOMATIC then you will not need to answer the ACCEPT request on the phone. d) "0000" + "DIAL" does download the phonebook but it disconnects first. e) If your SIM has a pin code it will ask for it each time you enter the car. If you leave the car and do not walk far away then the car will ring and not the phone. f) Once you tamper with the phone settings in paired mode the phone will disconnect from the car. Don't be put off by the phone rebooting the system.

This is a reference guide for owners of S (220) and CL (215) with CD based navigation and a Nokia phone kit. Whilst it does also apply to W210 and many other cars - there are some slight differences here and there. Your mission if you choose to accept it is to convert this 1999-2003 S-Class W220 into UHI using OEM parts !

The culprit

With the rear seat unclipped and one mushroom and two pins removed you can carefully peel back the sound baffle and foam underlay to reveal the module frame above the rear fuse box.

Using an 8mm hex tool this is the module carrier with the phone unit on the left. Unclip and remove this module till the very end when the new UHI module will be installed in its place. Do not replace untill all cutting is done.

There are several things going on here. First I took off the cover panel in the corner of the armrest (Torx9 IIRC) interior. Then the whole phone tray and noting that the old amrest wiring was damaged I decided to replace that wiring with 2003 W215 wiring because it had the right connectors on it. In the bottom right you see a metal plate. You will need to felt-tape the new antenna lead onto that plate because the tension keeps it in place and stops it from falling out of its special cabling groove along the back of the armrest groove. You will also discover that the hinge moves through and opening which has two small cover plates. When removed the connectors will pass easily through.

Here the old body harness is exposed. Mini UHF and RJ48 (10pin)

This is what you do with the 10 pin connector

This is the antenna converter for the mini-UHF antenna converter. It is made with an SMB connector (FAKRA) and the cable I salvaged from the original armrest wiring. This part was not damaged.

Antenna adapter in place, new armrest cabling in place and main harness crimped and converted to match.

This is a loose fitting of the armrest insert. Notice that I didnt allow enough of the cabling to run under the phone plate. So I loosened it from the groove it lives in allowed for the main connectors to slide under the phone tray