What do I need for aftermarket HU?

[97C28O]

Alright, I'm thinking of purchasing a new HU because the OEM HU buttons are all loose and feels like it's about to break off.

Do I need any special harnesses to connect to the HU?
Do I need any special kit for the aftermarket HU?
Do I need any special wiring for the Bose Amp?
Does anyone know if HD Radio HU's come with a separate antenna?

[zmatt]

Normally its just the headunit, they operate on a loose standard and our headunits are single slot so you should have no trouble installing and wiring a new unit. I haven't done this yet (its in the pipline) but I have yet to hear of any issues.

[MikeD]

After researching this topic, it seemed to me that with the Bose system and an aftermarket head unit you will need to purchase the following items for the conversion:

-PAC SOEM-4 Line-Out Converter
-Metra 1784 Radio Wiring Harness for Volkswagen 80-Up
-any converters necessary to connect your head unit's antenna input to your OEM antenna OR a whole new antenna with wiring

I have already gone through with this installation with a Pioneer MVH-P8300BT and it works brilliantly! All of my connections were made between the new head unit's wiring harness and the Metra harness so the install is 100% reversible. The connections were made with solder with heat-shrink tubing to go over it. I also added a brake bypass to my system since it is a video head unit so that I did not have to go through the trouble of running a wire to the parking brake. I've seen some HD radio receivers that need a special unit to use HD radio. Whether it comes with an antenna should be written somewhere in the head unit's item description online or on the side of the box.

When connecting your new head unit's wiring to the Metra harness, the connections are pretty straight-forward since all of the wiring is labeled. The only things to note are that not every wire needs to be connected and that the red and yellow leads on the Metra harness need to be switched when connecting. Strange, but I guess that was the difference between VW and MB!

[97C28O]

Ok thanks!

what would the line converter be used in?

the HU that I plan to get has HD Radio (not HD Ready) so it should come with the HD module. I may want to run a new antenna because I unplugged the motor to the exisiting antenna(<97) since it had broken antenna mast and I hated it extending from the car. the question is if the HD module will also pick up nonHD FM/AM stations without the need of an antenna...

Future plans may be an additional Subwoofer.

[emilli230k]

I just installed my new head unit yesterday. Bough the Kenwood KV-701 off of Crutchfield. They supplied me with free radio removal keys, wiring harness, and antenna converter, and the install was a breeze with a couple troubleshooting phone calls. I used the crimping method with all my connections, took me just about a day to complete. That being said, I do have a non-bose mercedes so the install was a bit easier.

[MikeD]

The only difference in installation between Bose and non-Bose for our car that I have noticed is the presence of a line-out converter in the installation process as the Bose system does have a factory amplifier. From what I understand, a line-out converter (LOC) is used to ensure that your factory amp is not overloaded. It is common to have to use one when installing a new head unit in a car that has a premium sound system from the factory. I used one in my installation and have had no problems arise.

Speaking in terms of my own head unit, I know that the optional HD Radio Tuner does pick up BOTH digital and analog signals so there would be no need for a separate antenna. It's probably the same for most HD Radio Tuners.

[97C28O]

Alright! I've purchased my HU and I will probably have a small DIY or something later! Hope all goes well with my set up.

BTW, MikeD, did the HD tuner pick up both FM/AM channels? And Switching the red & yellow, do you mean to pull switch the pins around?

[MikeD]

I'll try to explain this the best that I can. The Metra Harness is what attaches directly to the OEM Mercedes Benz Harness, no midfications yet. Now, from the Metra Harness, you have several unconnected wires hanging. Most of these wires are color-coded to the corresponding wire hanging from your head unit's wiring harness; however, the red wire from the head unit should be connected to yellow wire an the metra harness, and the yellow wire on the head unit harness should be connected to the red wire on the metra harness.

The reason for this switch is because we are using a Volkswagen harness which only differs from the Mercedes harness in those two wire connections. The red wire (power) is switched in location on the OEM harness with the yellow wire (constant power) between MB and VW. In reality, you do not really need this harness for the installation. The main benefit and reason people use the harness is to ensure that head unit installations are 100% reversible.

As for the HD tuner, I did not purchase one yet BUT my manufacturer's website explains that the HD tuner will pick up all of the normal AM/FM radio stations in my area, adjusting itself for those that are presented in higher quality. HD radio plays on a digital signal, allowing for better quality and features an analog signal cannot handle. HD radio tuners work so that if a digital signal is out of range or is not available, the tuner will use the analog signal instead.

[97C28O]

Great Thanks for the info!

I've done couple of HU installs on other cars and I know the benefits of the harness.
And the HD Tuner, the HU I've bought includes one. I had placed an order for an antenna (windshield mount) but I've canceled that order. Hopefully the HD Tuner will work as my antenna replacement.

BTW, how can I tell I have a BOSE system? Do 97 C280 Sport come standard with BOSE? I don't see any BOSE on the HU. But I think I found a small amp in the trunk when I had the antenna mast break on me.

[97C28O]

Okay, I think I do have a Bose System. The rear speakers near the rear windshield shows BOSE on the them. I might have to order that LOC now.. The HU I have does have RCA.

[97C28O]

This is the specs:
Inputs and Outputs
12V Trigger Output(s) :
Power antenna
Amplifier turn on
Antenna Terminal(s) : AM/FM Antenna Input Terminal
Audio In :
Front Aux with variable level: -8dB ~ +18dB
Front USB input
Sony Bus terminals
Digital Audio Input(s) : -Ability to use all forms of USB devices may vary as not all devices are compatible.
This unit can be connected to the following iPods. Update your iPod to the latest software before you use it.
iPod Nano 1st generation*
iPod Nano 2nd generation (aluminum)
iPod Nano 3rd generation (video)
iPod 5th generation (video)*
iPod Classic
iPod Touch
iPhone
This unit is compliant with MSC (Mass Storage Class) and MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) type USB devices compliant with the USB standard.
This unit cannot recognize USB devices via a USB hub.
If you have any questions or problems concerning your unit that are not covered in the owners manual, consult your nearest Sony dealer
Infrared Port : Wireless remote
RCA Audio Output(s) : Front, Rear, and Subwoofer RCA pre-amp outputs
Remote Jack : Optional wired remote input terminal
USB Port(s) : Front USB - Full Speed

[MikeD]

The LOC does not connect with RCA in this application. Wires into LOC, wires out. You're going to want to use something that ensures strong wire connections like solder. There are a lot of wires involved in this install and not so much room inside the dash so if you just wrap the connections in electrical tape, they'll fall apart or possibly short something.

[97C28O]

The LOC does not connect with RCA in this application. Wires into LOC, wires out. You're going to want to use something that ensures strong wire connections like solder. There are a lot of wires involved in this install and not so much room inside the dash so if you just wrap the connections in electrical tape, they'll fall apart or possibly short something.

Hmm, that makes sense because there is no amp with RCA inputs.

If the RCA are not required, can i get a LOC without RCA's?

[MikeD]

Precisely, you can get a LOC without RCAs. The PAC SOEM-4 came with harnesses for both RCA and regular wires so I could just plug in whichever I needed. Needless to say, the RCA harness lies around in a box somewhere...

[97C28O]

Ok, MikeD,

I got all my parts:
I need some help...
1. The PAC LOC output side is able to switch out from RCA to WIRES, so I put that side in, but on the instructions I'm not very clear because the OUTPUT connects to the METRA VW HARNESS>OEM Harness. But the METRA VW HARNESS has extra wires that aren't being used by the LOC, pictured below.
2. The Aftermarket HU Harness connects on the INPUT side of the PAC LOC, but the Aftermarket HU Harness has extra wires that aren't being used by the PAC LOC.

The wires on both ends, METRA VW & Aftermarket HU Harness, seem to match up without the PAC LOC. Where do these wires go? I'm going to soldering these connections tomorrow and also installing the unit in. Please help!

http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/gg464/itskv/PACcopy.jpg

[97C28O]

Ok, I think I've got a solution but not entirely sure (it makes sense in my head)


METRA HARNESS>AFTERMARKET HU HARNESS
red>yellow
yellow>red
black>black
orange/white>orange/white
blue/white>blue/white

METRA HARNESS>PAC LOC
white>white
white/black>white/black
green>green
green/black>green/black
grey>grey
grey/black>grey/black
purple>purple
purple/black>purple/black

AFTERMARKET HU>PAC LOC
white>white
white/black>white/black
green>green
green/black>green/black
grey>grey
grey/black>grey/black
purple>purple
purple/black>purple/black

***UNUSED WIRES***
PAC LOC: BLUE, YELLOW, BLACK(x3)
AFTERMARKET HU HARNESS: Light Blue, Blue

[MikeD]

Sorry I haven't been near a computer for a while. I could probably snap a few pictures of my wiring in the next 24 hours. From what I remember, I used all of the wires on the PAC except for the black input and output. Some wires on my metra harness were not used just as some wires on my HU harness weren't used. Some wires on the Metra harness had more than one connection made to them. Again, I will snap some pictures for you and have them up by tomorrow night.

And yes, there are several wires that do not need to go through the LOC. The LOC is mainly for all of the speaker wires, not for the wires like illumination.

[97C28O]

I have installed it. I think everything is working I do hear the woofers but it sounds a lot less than the OEM HU even with settings turned up and the LOC settings came pre-maxed-out.

One more question. I'm still waiting in my Antenna adapter to arrive but I thought about it because on the pre97 the antenna powers up and extends. do I need to do anything else to the harnesses?

[MikeD]

I have no idea on that one. I'm running a HU with no radio except online radio from my phone. I plan on getting the hole where my antenna used to be on the car filled in and matched to the body color.

[97C28O]

I just took apart my trunk today to figure out if i can add an aftermarket antenna to there rear of the car using the existing wire from the car. i will be looking into this and update as soon as I find a solution

[adge_dre]

i know this is a old thread but any word on how the install went? i recently purchased the parts needed for a HU with bose using this thread but it seems as if the last step is missing, which would be the install lol

[Denlasoul]

Search for the "Nakamichi" Threads. I used that to help with my Bose install. I believe I also did a similar Thread.

[adge_dre]

I just took apart my trunk today to figure out if i can add an aftermarket antenna to there rear of the car using the existing wire from the car. i will be looking into this and update as soon as I find a solution

ive searched but it doesnt seem like im getting and real straight answers on how to install. which thread exactlety are you referring too?