check the CD changer fiber optic cord to ensure it's daisy chained and plugged in correctly..sounds like the head unit isn't getting a signal

 

Your should be able to use MC3010, MC3110, or MC3198. These are
fiber optic changers. They are problematic and will eventually give you
some headaches. Though they are plug n play, they may periodically
display 'No CD Changer" on the head unit. If that's the case you can try....

1 - disconnect radio fuse for few minutes

2 - pull radio and disconnect power plug for few minutes. even overnight

3 - hold down CD button for 30 secs (someone reported on their Audio 30;
anecdotal)

4 - worst case, pull NEG battery lead but I don't like
this as you'd then have to resync several appliances
like roof, mirrors, seat, radio...error codes.

these are suggestions which have worked for others on various MB forums.

I've installed 3010 and 3198 on several occasions and none required dealer
to activate or intervene.


ps - if you have onboard, integrated phone, this may require dealer quick reprograming

 

Given that I have an integrated phone system and factoring in the price of the MC3010 at $200 and possibility of needing the dealer to reprogram the system, would it make more sense for me to just go ahead and buy this:

Mercedes Benz original equipment Audio 10 (Alpine) model MF2910, Mercedes part number A170 820 03 86. They are asking $329. What do you guys think?

Also the integrated phone system is pretty much a white elephant right?

Thanks

 

sounds acceptable. you buying from 'perfectmarket' aka Ray? he seems to be
a solid seller of these items. used to be in Oregon but has been selling this
model for several years or more. i have one and glad i picked one up. I just
wish i had the time to hack it and rig up a AUX IN so that I can use an MP3
player with it.

 

You have to take apart the fiber optic plug on both ends and reverse the cable in order for it to work; gently, you don't want to brake the cable.

 

I have bought a CD changer on Ebay in December never was able to get it to work. Did lots of research and did every trick and nothing made it work.I sent it back to the person and it was supposed to be replaced. The person never got back to me and doesn't answer emails + I have the proof of delivery back to him. Ebay for certain stuff but not for electronics. I think you have the same problem I had. I think you will have to forget the cd changer and go for plan B.

 

Well I had done this for years. Then through my VW I discovered the world of online user groups and how helpful that has been. After solving a couple of problems for my E320 in here, I thought I would dust off the CD changer, Now that we live in an IPOD world. Speaking of which I found the Becker Audio site, and they mod the stock radio to hook up your ipod. I think that is what I will do.

You have to take apart the fiber optic plug on both ends and reverse the cable in order for it to work; gently, you don't want to brake the cable.

livefree, if you follow the cable up from the wheel well you will see a metal connector for the fiber optic cable. Just pry the metal clips apart and rotate the cable. I will try that as soon as I get out of pajamas

 

i guess it helps if you pull the radio out and see if the fiber optic is plugged in to begin with.

Now I have an empty magazine signal. It sounds like the mechanism is struggling to load. At least it's a step in the right direction. 3 years too late.

 

CD CHANGER FIXED!!

THe Cd changer is fixed and is working fine. I took the whole thing apart. The Mechanism that moves the magazine moved freely, and the one that moved the
cd player part up and down also moved freely.

The problem was the transport that moves the cd in and out of the magazine to the player. You have to take the case off, disconnect the springs on the side, disconnect the metal ribbon that goes to the optical connection (THIS IS DONE VERY CAREFULLY, BY USING A SMALL SCREW DRIVER YOU PRY UP ON THE WHITE TABS HOLDING THE END OF THE RIBBON INTO THE CONNECTOR. PRY OUTWARDS ON THE WHITE TABS THEN THE CONNECTOR HINGES UPWARD. THE RIBBON SHOULD FREE, THEN CAREFULLY THREAD THE RIBBON OUT. Next turn the cd changer over and you will see a white worm drive. On top of the cd player you will see a large black plastic gear. The worm drive is underneath this gear and drives it. This is the cd transport. you have to take out the golden screw that holds the wormdrive in place. If you remove this worm gear, you will see that there is a long extension off this assembly that is akin to a socket wrench. You should now be able to turn the black gear and free up the transport drive. You can put the worm gear back on and re-insert the gold screw and tighten. Using your finger on the worm drive and on the black gear, you should be able to get the transport to move.

Your CD Changer is now Fixed. You just saved yourself almost $1k. Put everything back together. THere is a notch in the circuit board to hold the ribbon. If you can't thread it back through this holder, just run it over the edge of the board into the white connector and make sure it's not pinched.
Now, the only thing I need is the mounting brackets. Any suggestions? (I am sorry I didn't take any pictures, but if people are interested, I can recreate the whole procedure)

 

CD CHANGER BRACKET

ANYONE KNOW A PART NUMBER FOR THE CD CHANGER BRACKET FOR A 99 E320 4MATIC WAGON? NOW THAT I FIXED MINE I WOULD LIKE TO MOUNT IT. HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING ONE.

 

Sorry to ask you a question instead of answering.What did you do to fix yours?

 

[Link to thread now merged with this one]

i tried to update the title of the thread so it would get more attention, but it didn't work. I think it's a great fix, and should be added to the tips and tricks. see what you think.

 

I tried to update the title of the thread so it would get more attention, but it didn't work. I think it's a great fix, and should be added to the tips and tricks. see what you think.

Hi, jjohnv. I took the time to merge your two related threads, changed the (merged thread) title and then added it to the DIY.

Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg

 

I have a part number for a 2001 E320 sedan mounting bracket but I doubt they are the same thing. If you want that, ask me for it. I'll have to pull the folder and find the dealer invoice.

 

HI jjohnv,

I have a similar problem to your changer.......when i insert a cartridge in the changer the head unit says something like NO CD 1-6 or NO MAGAZINE......sometimes it works for like 10 mins thens it stops an displays the messages above.
can you confirm this is what was happening to yours please.....My changer has the optical leads and is in the boot if that makes any difference.

I have got board of the radio and need some of my own music to listen to!!

Kind Regards

PeteK

 

My case was different in that I bought the unit off of ebay and plugged it in and it didn't work right away so I thought I was ripped off. As I learned about Mercedes over the years I decided I would investigate fully. The optical plug was never hooked up to the radio. I learned this after I fashioned my own removal tools, and pulled it out. After I hooked it up, I got a cd changer status on the radio, but an empty magazine. I could hear the mechanism hunting for cds, but they never loaded. I took the top cover off and plugged the changer back in and watched as parts of the transport worked well, but the loading mechanism was jammed. That prompted me to perform the procedure detailed on the previous page.

So I guess the short answer to your question is, your transport is getting jammed up for some reason, and you should do what I did to ensure full range of motion.

Now, I didn't notice if you have a wagon or not, but I would appreciate it if you could give me a part number for the bracket.

Thanks

 

sedan won't work, i think. it has to be a basket type of thing for the changer to hang down in the wheel well in the back of the wagon

 

When I ordered the changer for my 01 Wagon they claimed I need a bracket but when I actually placed the order they told me it was not required if you had the 3010 changer and it was an 01. The parts guy should know it was a $49 item

 

163.820.0714

peter thanks so much for your reply..I called mercedes of greenwich and was shocked at how helpful the guy was, i was totally prepared to get the runaround. and yes I do need something because there is absolutely nothing in the wheel well to attach the cd changer to. for future references the part number is

163.820.0714 and costs about $25. I will report back once I get the part and see if it works.

 

Man, you lucked out. My dealer charged me close to $100 for mine, but later they had a tech install it for free. The tech was pretty new and I had intermittant problems with the various other audio components. As it turned out, that tech did not know he had to re-program the car to recognize it as an addition (add it to the D2B fiber-optic loop I think). I have a COMAND unit, so that might have been the reason.

 

thanks, but the saga continues...the bracket i got from mb, I can't tell where it mounts. below are picutes..could a w210 wagon owner with a cd changer throw a brother a bone and take a picture of their set up so I can see what is going on?

 

It looks right, the bracket has two arms and bolts to the area where the label is.

 

here's the set up I have

this was done by an independent, he fabricated two aluminum supports for the changer, hope this helps

 

Its very similar, but crude.

 

cool beans man...(about merging the topics..) anyhow...the saga with the cd bracket continues.. once again the mercedes benz parts guy gave me the wrong bracket. Now they want $97. I just turned and walked away. I will miss their great cappuccino machine. Thanks for the DIY pictures in the above reply. I'm a DIY'er, so it's only fitting that I finish this on my own.

 

I just got a 2000 E320 4MATIC wagon and the CD player showed the "no cartridge" error message. I took the unit out and yes one of the mechanisms was jammed which I fixed and lubed with silicon grease. I cleaned the fiber plug heads and got the system to at least play one CD, but does not see the other five no matter what.

My CD player does have a bracket, and because the car has the Bose option there is a larger bracket for the amplifier and the CD player. There is enough room in the wheel wheel for the NAV system too (lots of extra cables present for it). I will take a picture of the bracket as soon as I can.

 

CD-Changer Mounting bracket 2000 4MATIC wagon

Here is the picture showing the mounting bracket and the Bose amp mounted along with it.

 

Hi there:

I notice a little barcode on your bracket. Would that be the part number? Sure would appreciate it if you could provide me with the part number for your bracket. And your CD changer is a MC 3010 right?

My installation area is even tighter. There is the Bose amp and another box attached to it (Phone or GPS??). That is where that gap on your bracket is for.

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Again, any idea what is the part number? I suspect that my unit might not be plug and play because of the phone/gps box.

Here is the picture showing the mounting bracket and the Bose amp mounted along with it.

 

Wagon Mount

I have a 2002 wagon with the same type of setup behind the wheelwell... I bought a changer from eBay and it worked for 2 weeks. I utilized 2 smaller brackets that came with the unit, unscrewed and repositioned them to work. When putting it together it was tight and I had to squeeze together the 2 pieces of sheet metal that holds it in place [about 3/4 of an inch] but it worked fine.