The following steps are unnecessary if you have a CD changer mounted in the passenger compartment. They are also likely unnecessary if you have a D2B version of the Gateway 500, since the D2B bus uses a different wake-up system. My understanding is that it is only necessary for MOST bus equipped cars having a trunk (or rear) mounted CD changer as discussed in the preceding posts.
I used the phone bulletin for my car on Paul Dick’s great site - Phone Bulletins - to determine the steps for accessing the equipment. The color photos of the console in the ’05 S-Class bulletin are also clearer than in my posts above. Because the placement of equipment is different not only among models of Benzes, they are also sometimes different from year to year. Please consult the bulletin for your car.
Before you start, eject the Nav DVD; when you remove its fiber optic (F/O) connector later in the process, it will try to eject the disc and could damage it.
In addition, do not disconnect the battery when doing this work. Just turn off the COMAND unit and ignition.
Making the changes to the fiber optic connections in the trunk requires 1) opening the trunk (OK, enough jokes), 2) removing the left side trunk liner, 3) removing the upper electronics rack containing the MHI module, Nav unit, and CD changer; 4) removing the lower electronics rack containing the Voice Control System (VCS) module and the Bose amplifier; 5) in cars without an OE Sirius radio, switching the fiber optic connections between the CDC and the VCS module; 6) in cars with an OE Sirius radio, switching the fiber optics connections between the CDC and the Sirius module; and 7) putting it back together. It's simple enough in concept, but carrying it out is a bit of a pain.
The trunk liner is held in by one plastic retainer on the upper side behind the left corner of the rear window, and by the screw holding the left front cargo net attachment point in place on the floor. Remove these (pull the cap on the upper retainer – when it comes out, then pry the retainer out), remove the taillight access door, then pull the liner out from the bottom and from the rear. Be sure you note how it is in, so you know how to put it back.
You will see the upper electronics rack with its components as shown in the first picture below. It is held in place by four 10mm (as I recall; they may be 8 mm) bolts and one flanged nut, as shown. Remove them. Note how tabs on the feet of the upper rack fit into slots on the lower rack near each front bolt on the floor of the trunk – you’ll need to put it back that way. Then gently pull the rack out so you can access the nuts & bolts folding the antenna switch in place. Remove the antenna switch so you can take the rack all the way out. Be careful of the fiber optic cables, especially those going to the MHI unit.
Then remove the two flanged nuts from the lower rack, and pull it out, being careful of the fiber optics again. The VCS module is on the back of the rack. See the second photo below.
At this point I assume that you at least know or have learned how to deal with fiber optic (F/O) connectors from installing the GW 500 in the console. Remove three fiber optic connectors: From the CDC, the Nav unit, and the VCS (third photo below). You must remove the connector from the Nav unit because the F/O leads are not long enough to permit the reconnection without doing so. You do not change any copper wire connections. Again, you should have ejected your nav DVD before this point, because the nav unit will try to eject it when you disconnect its F/O lead.
To remove the F/O leads, you first remove the larger socket, then take out the small connector as done with the COMAND unit. You are only changing the small F/O connectors, not the entire socket. Now, connect the CDC F/O lead to the VCS, and the VCS lead to the CDC. Do not reconnect the nav F/O lead at this time.
Next, place the lower equipment rack back into place, and re-secure it with its two flanged nuts. Be very careful not to pinch copper wire or fiber optic cables, and be mindful of where the fiber optic cables will have to run when the upper rack is put back.
Then, move the upper rack back toward its position far enough to reattach the antenna switch above the MHI unit. Plug the nav unit fiber optic lead back into the nav unit at this time; then slide the upper rack back into place, and re-secure it.
Now, in the car, be sure your mode selector switch is positioned for GW 500 use; use the MOST bus reset procedure explained in a prior post above and in the user manual (you may have to do it twice) – and you should see your iPod start up and information display on the COMAND (or HU) screen. Success!! Replace your trunk liner, and you’re done with the installation. Next – some specific info to get you started with the Dension menus.
Making these changes did not affect the way any of the components on the fiber optic ring worked; voice control still controls all that it should, and the CDC functons normally when you switch it back into the ring using the GW 500 mode selector. All of the other components function normally as well. I did, however, label the original CDC and VCS fiber optic leads in case replacing them becomes necessary (which could happen if the GW 500 is ever removed).
__________________
2005 S500 4-Matic
with Gateway 500 iPod integration
Formerly: 2000 S500
with Ice>Link iPod integration
Moto V710 phone with MikBox
Upgraded Voice Control
Last edited by Skylaw : 06-20-2008 at 06:43 AM.
Reason: Account for cars having OE Sirius radio
The instructions in the user manual for using the Dension menus are general, and steps will clearly vary depending on what head unit is used. Controls on head units vary – and some of those on COMAND are not exactly intuitive. I hope this will prove helpful getting into some of the first menus you'll use.
First tip: The user manual gives instructions for setting up the Dension unit for “+paging” in its configuration menu. You get there by rapidly switching the GW 500 mode selector 6 times – 3 up, 3 down – and you will see a list of choices beginning with “No Text” (the default). Use the single down arrow on the COMAND audio controls to get to “+paging.” Now, here’s where the tip comes in: To enter the selection, you must press the “Fast Forward” (>>) key (Where is it on COMAND? I never use it; I don’t see one). Well, it is the “Seek +” key at the bottom of the row of COMAND keys to the left side of the display (see first photo below). Press and hold it for at least 2 seconds for fast forward. That will set the selection in the GW 500 menu, and you will now be able to see song titles on COMAND when you start your music. If you don’t use the ‘Seek+” key this way, you will get the title of the first song in text, but all following will show only track number.
Those of you who knew about "Seek+" held for 2 seconds being Fast Forward can have a laugh at my expense. And yes, "-Seek" is Fast Reverse (<<) and also the "remove selection" command for setup options in the GW 500 menus.
Second tip: You get to the highest level of the Dension menus by selecting “Audio” with the COMAND Audio button; then by selecting “CDC” – then by selecting “CD Mag.” Again, a feature not covered in detail in the user manual because of so many different head units.
Once you're into these menus you will be able to get to the "Charging" menu (one of the folder choices in brackets) and select how you want your iPod to charge when connected - only when the COMAND or head unit is on, or that plus 2 hours after the HU is off, or not at all. Once again, the selection is registered with that "Seek+" fast forward key. Third tip: That's something you'll want to do early. Update: The preceding is true for Firmware version 1.05, but was deleted in Firmware 2.02. There is no charging option available in FW 2.02 - it is set to charge while the head unit is on.
I am still learning the Dension menus – how to show all playlists (I’m only getting the first four to show on COMAND – I know others should be available). But then, I have only had use of the unit since late yesterday morning, and have spent a bunch of time posting this info. Maybe those of you with more experience using the menus (perhaps with the D2B version as well?) can chime in here. One should also be able to sort by artist, album, and the like in the Dension menus. I have seen the folders, but have not gotten the sorting to occur.
Anyway, I do get song title on COMAND, as shown in the second photo below, and track number on the MFD as shown in the third. In addition, the CDC continues to function when I want it. That’s a huge improvement over the old Ice>Link Plus and a giant leap over no iPod at all.
Source of the problem is that the Head Unit forces Shuffle OFF and/or Track 1 at startup. The GW should discard these commands.
It will be solved in v2.00, do you want to take part in a testing round?
Indeed I also have experienced this problem when the ignition is off for long time (e.g., overnight) - even though I have "normal play" selected. If the ignition is off for short periods, the iPod restarts with the song that was playing when the ignition was turned off.
I'd be glad to test your version 2.0 firmware - but I hope there are some written instructions (even if not formal), since I don't really know my way around the version 1.05 menus yet.
Note: With the release of Firmware version 2.02 on June 14, 2007, the operation of the Dension Gateway 500 menus has improved tremendously. In addition, the User Manual has also been improved, overcoming some of the poor documentation of menu function. As of the date of this post, the installation manual had not been revised. See http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audi...ml#post2596107.
Note: With the release of Firmware version 2.02 on June 14, 2007, the operation of the Dension Gateway 500 menus has improved tremendously. In addition, the User Manual has also been improved, overcoming some of the poor documentation of menu function. As of the date of this post, the installation manual had not been revised. The link in the preceding post will take you to a more complete discussion.
Do you have pictures of the New Menus?
I'm looking at getting an 05 or 06 SClass and would be interested in the Gateway 500.
I understand they now have a Bluetooth adapter, any experience with that?
No experience with the Gateway 500 Bluetooth adapter; I have only seen the information on their site, including the downloadable owner's manual for the GW 500, which discusses the capabilities.
Of course, if the car you buy already has the handsfree phone, all you'd need is an MB Bluetooth puck.
First of all, I want to thank you for your detailed posts. Thanks to you I know a whole lot more about my car than I ever dreamed I'd know.
I don't like the MP3 DVD because it takes so long for the disc to load (I'm pretty sure its a function of the 100's of folders I have on the DVD). The sample DVDs I burned (thanks to your instructions) loaded instantly. Therefore, I've decided to install a Gateway 500.
My question for you is if you would have installed anything differently now that you've had it installed for over a year? Specifically, would you put the aux input anywhere else? It seems to me that where you have it installed it would be impossible to close the center armrest if you had anything plugged into it. Would I be better off installing it in the bottom of the center console?
Also, where did you install the USB connector? Is it also in the center console, or did you put it in the glove box? I couldn't tell from your pics.
Where is the Gateway unit itself located? Is it behind the COMAND module? Could I install it in the trunk w/ the CDC, NAV and MHI equipment? Also, if I decide the ipod will be dedicated to the car, would there be any benefit if I were to mount the ipod back there as well? It may make it a little more inconvenient if I wanted to add songs, but I can't think of any other drawbacks. What do you think? My other option would be to install it where the phone cradle is on your set-up. I don't have the cradle, and haven't decided whether or not I want to get the MB Bluetooth unit. I imagine I'd still have enough room in the center console for both the Bluetooth and the ipod.
Thanks again for your willingness to share your knowledge about the audio system in these cars. I'm sure I'm not the only one out here who has benefited tremendously from your experience.
I would install some things slightly differently. Mainly, I would spend more time learning how to remove the center console, so as to run the cable from the upper storage compartment to the Gateway electronics module with more slack.
Although the clearances for the AUX inputs are tight in my installation, there is room to plug in flexible RCA jacks (stiff insulators would pose a problem). However, 1) I don't use the RCA jacks, and 2) I have several sets of 90 degree RCA connectors that would fit easily - some already molded into the stereo cables. The largest portion of the RCA jacks are located under the telephone door, which has more clearance.
I use the bottom of the center console for storage, so I didn't want the iPod there. However, it could work well if you can give up storage; when I used a predecessor to the Gateway 500 in my '00, I had the iPod mounted at an angle in the front part of the lower compartment (high against the front wall of the compartment, sloping toward the floor, in a clip that I bought through Dension).
The USB connector sits just above my iPod, and projects over its lower side slightly. It is screwed into the divider against which I put the AUX inputs (as I recall, it had some projections on the outer case that I filed off so it would fit). If you click on the tiny photos, they will enlarge. If you can't get good results, copy the enlarged pic to your computer, and blow it up using photo software - or alternatively, send me your personal email address (via PM or the forum's e-mail feature, so as not to make it public), and I'll e-mail you the original pics. The original photo files are large, and won't go through the forum's e-mail system.
I placed the Gateway unit atop the airbag control module, behind and under the COMAND unit, securing it with industrial strength velcro. I could just as well have put it beside the center console, under the dash.
The wire harness from the Gateway module to the inputs is not long enough to allow trunk installation of the Gateway and mounting of the iPod in the passenger compartment. As to mounting all in the trunk, you may find it a problem during the initial programming, after firmware changes, and troubleshooting (if necessary). It would make use of the iPod interface impossible. Because I have COMAND and readout of the album, artist, and playlist sorts, I find the Gateway interface very usable, so don't use the iPod interface (which allows the iPod's controls to remain active) much; folks who don't have text-capable HUs usually need the iPod interface, and should not trunk mount their iPod at all.
If you mounted the iPod in a clip on your trunk liner, where it would be accessible, adding songs would be no problem. You use your computer for that, anyway. If you mounted the USB input next to the iPod, doing periodic firmware updates would also not be a problem (they are done via a thumb drive using the USB; your iPod screen tells you when the process is complete, so you want them co-located). The biggest difficulty would be using the mode selector switch, which is on the AUX input box; you need to use it in conjunction with your COMAND during the initial setup, and it is recommended after firmware updates. If you don't mind walking between your front seat and trunk a few times during initial setup and during updates, it could be done. You also need to use the mode selector to switch the GW 500 out of the system if you're having any maintenance done; otherwise, the tech could get improper readings.
You could probably figure out the fiber optic changes you'd have to make for a trunk mount. They would be different from mine, but it could likely be done. The fiber optic connectors provided with the GW 500 will not reach from the trunk to the COMAND unit - and routing them would be a nightmare even if they would. You'd likely make your connections at the CDC (the GW 500 must fit immediately prior to the CDC in the fiber optic loop). With that, you wouldn't have to remove your COMAND during the installation.
You could probably also figure out where to tap into power and ground, with all of the electronics back there. Dension provides fairly long wiring for that, but other than splicing into existing wiring, I don't know where the taps might be. You'd definitely want something switched (perhaps the CDC power).
If you try that, we'd be interested in seeing the results.
If your car has the phone option installed, it is an MHI phone system, which is a good thing. Makes it simple to install either a plug-in phone or a Bluetooth module. You'll probably want to use the phone compartment for that, and not for the iPod.
By the way - Dension has just come out with a GW 500 add-on module that will allow iPod video, including movies, to be displayed on the COMAND screen. I have not seen it, or played with it - but it works with the video-capable Gen 6 iPods. I don't know how Dension's interface will work with that module - and whether access to the iPod controls will be necessary. Because Apple is now providing full-length movies as well as certain TV programs for download over iTunes, that could be an interesting option.
UPDATE: As Rob points out subsequent to this post, the add-on mentioned will not feed iPod video directly to COMAND; additional equipment would be required.
Linear Mode
