I have a 2000 E320 and I understand that it is pre-wired for a fiber CD changer. I recently bought a compatible CD changer, Part Number A203-820-90-89 and Model Number MC3010.
I looked behind the trunk panel on the driver side and found a bunch of wires. I quickly identified what I think to be the power cable (3 pins) but I cannot find the fiber cable(s). The recepticle connector on the back of the CD changer looks like a small rectangle with possibly two wires. Does anyone know where the fiber cables are and what color they are?
I have a 2000 E320 and I understand that it is pre-wired for a fiber CD changer. I recently bought a compatible CD changer, Part Number A203-820-90-89 and Model Number MC3010.
I looked behind the trunk panel on the driver side and found a bunch of wires. I quickly identified what I think to be the power cable (3 pins) but I cannot find the fiber cable(s). The recepticle connector on the back of the CD changer looks like a small rectangle with possibly two wires. Does anyone know where the fiber cables are and what color they are?
Thanks!
They should be there with the power cables, tied up in a pigtail and stuffed in the back. The colour of the fibre cables is orange, and in some cases they have a green cap on them. They are slightly thicker and harder than the power cables.
I hope the MC3010 works on your car, mine didn't, then I had to go and get a MC3198!!![:(!]
Ok, I had a pleasant experience at the MB dealership in Austin, Texas that must be shared! I had gotten an estimate on the CD changer installation and the service department quoted me $200 for CD Changer installation on a pre-wired car. For the life of me I could not find the fiber cable (discussion topic of this thread), so I went by the dealership to buy a fiber cable. As soon as I saw the cable, I remembered seeing a similar cable behind the driver side's trunk panel. The trick was to peel off the entire side panel in order to find the semi-rectangular dual fiber connector that plugs into the CD Changer. It was neatly wire-wrapped to the chassis!
The parts person at Mercedes Benz of Austin showed it to me by peeling off the cover. He even went to the extent to plug the fiber and power cables in, test the CD Changer operation, Bolt the bracket using two sheet metal screws to the chassis, and put the trunk panel back - Voila! A $200 job for nothing!
I went out of my way to tip him, but he would not accept! I guess they are trained not to take tips?!
By the way, I read somewhere that sometimes version coding is required to get the radio head unit to recognize the CD Changer; This was not necessary on my car (2000 E320). I did not have the telephone, navigation, or Tele Aid installed though - not sure if these options complicate matters and require version coding. Mine was a simple plug and play.
Thank you Storm. I am already enjoying my new toy. I bought the MC3010 from eBay for $285 including the bracket, a Mercedes logo dust cover, and an extra cartridge. They look and work (so far!) like new.
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