[rudeney]

What you call the "splitter" does not com apart. You've already disconnected one end of the iPod wiring harness from the radio, now just disconnect the other end that is plugged into the car's side of the radio wiring harness:

After that, you will need to remove the orange fiber wiring from the iPod harness and reconnect it to the car's wiring harness:

Basically, the iPod harness has two ends. One looks just like the connector on the back of the radio. It's plugged into the car's wiring harness (the first photo, the right side of the harness in your video). The other looks just like the car's wiring harness and plugs into the back of the radio (the second photo, the left side of the harness in your video that you have already unplugged from the radio).

 

[lzrae]

SUCCESS!! I should have known I was over-thinking the complexity of the harness! I had it nearly completed all along. Steering volume/channel controls work, time/clock can now be set, GPS following car properly - pretty much everything on the punch list! Rodney - I can't thank you enough for the guidance and expert instructions you provided. If I were to do it all over again - knowing what needed to be done - I don't think it would take more than a 1/2 hour and the dealer was quoting me $750-$800 (all labor) to do this work. You saved me some cash, for sure!

I hope to pass along the favor to other MB owners, if I'm able. Great to know you are all out there to help wanna-be DIY-ers like me!

 

[rudeney]

I am glad to hear it's all good now! My guess is that the CAN bus wiring in the iPod harness is the problem. It's two wires - look back at my post #13 for the diagram and wire colors. It could be shorted or broken wires, or just a bad pin in the connectors. I'd fix it an re-install it, or sell it.

 

[rudeney]

I am glad to hear it's all good now! My guess is that the CAN bus wiring in the iPod harness is the problem. It's two wires - look back at my post #13 for the diagram and wire colors. It could be shorted or broken wires, or just a bad pin in the connectors. I'd fix it an re-install it, or sell it.

 

[lzrae]

Oh, so close to perfection, but alas, my work on the radio may have now created another problem.

My top had been open during my work on the radio/iPod harness and now it won't close. The connector to the automatic opener on the center console is plugged in - but nothing happens when I press the button to close the top. I briefly see the "Top in Operation" message on my center dash for 3-4 seconds and then it goes away with no movement from the top.

I disconnected the negative terminal connector from the battery while I worked on the radio unit. Could that have reset something that requires additional steps to re-enable?

Of note - there was a loose connector when I first removed the radio. It had a pair of wires (red/yellow and brown/yellow) and seemed all by its lonesome back there. I saw no associated connections from the COMAND, climate or control modules that would pair with this loose connector.

Once all of the radio accessories and GPS/NAV systems began working, I didn't bother to mention this in my previous post and assumed it was not required.

Now, I'm wondering if that loose connector behind the COMAND radio unit is associated with the automatic top - but that makes no sense to me.

Any thoughts/suggestions for troubleshooting or resolving this issue?

Thanks!!

 

[rudeney]

No, that's not related to the soft top control. I think that is part of the wiring used for the optional factory cell phone interface.

I suspect you disturbed the wiring on the switch when you removed the center console panel.

 

[lzrae]

I read some threads about disconnecting the battery causing issues with automatic top functionality and requiring some kind of reset or resynchronization. Is that a possibility? Any suggestions on diagnostic tests to try to isolate exact cause?

 

[lzrae]

Got it fixed! I simply rolled the front and back windows all the way up and then tried to close the top and it worked!

I'm suspecting the automatic top expected to perform the automatic roll-down of the windows before closing the top and threw an error when it found the windows couldn't be rolled-down (because they were down to begin with).

In any case, looks like catastrophe averted! Thanks, again, for all the help!

 

[rudeney]

Ah, yes, if the windows are not synchronized, the top won't work. Good catch! Another test to see if it's the top or the switch is to do the double-tap-and-hold (or double-pull-and-hold) to see if it operates with windows. If that works, then the switch is working.

 

[_Silva.b]

any updates with your issue?
i am currently going through the same thing

 

[rudeney]

any updates with your issue?
i am currently going through the same thing

Welcome to the forum! Please take a moment to visit the User Control Panel and update your profile to include your car model and year, and your location (at least country). This information will then appear below your name and avatar on the left side panel next to each post you make. This will greatly help others to give you better information. If you are using the mobile version of the site, you will need to switch to the "full" version to get to the User Control Panel.

 

[danasgate]

I am so happy to find this thread. I have been experiencing the same issues with my GLK and it all began during a trip this summer. I was using the iPod connector and saw bare wires in it. I knew it had to be related but, like you, I was given a formidable estimate for diagnostics. I am not a hands on person but plan to have a friend or my local repair shop take out the radio and bypass the iPod module. Thank you!

 

[HINF]

Thanks for this info. I had the same issue on my 2008 S550 and removed the iPod harness and reconnected the wires without it. Fixed the command issues. Pic of all the parts removed - iPod module iPod cable wiring harness - some people suggest removing the glove compartment to remove iPod connector cable but if you remove the rubber grommet it slips out through the hole without removing the glovebox - last image shows sketchy wires that might be problem - I removed the iPod cable first and it didn’t fix the issue had to pull the harnesses out

 

[Konqet]

was this ever resolved? I’m having the same issue

 

[rudeney]

Welcome to the forum @Konqet - please take a moment to read the information on the links below. It explains how to use the forums and update your user profile so that your car's details and your location appear on each post below your avatar. This is good information for others to know when trying to help. It also has good information about how the forums are organized and how to use the search feature:

Find your Forum Section, Navigate & Search

Complete your profile.

This is an older thread. You might have better luck creating your own new thread and describing your problem fully for others to help.