Mercedes-Benz MY2001 C-Class COMAND 2.0 Instructions For Use Manual

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Mercedes-Benz COMAND 2.0 Retrofit for a MY2001 C-Cla

A guide to installing COMAND in your W203 C-Cl

ass

The following are some basic instructions on how to retrofit a COMAND 2.0 head unit into a 2001 C-320.

These instructions should be similar for all of the new W203 series (although I am not responsible if they

aren't). These instructions will not be the same for the new face lifted 2004/5 models as those use an

entirely different COMAND head unit. Use this pub only for advice if you are installing on anything but a

MY2001 "C" or other model Mercedes.

The obvious disclaimers ... don't do this unless you are comfortable working on your vehicle. My W203 is

an early 2001 US version with a VIN number under 800. I take no responsibility for the accuracy or

compatibility of this document with your vehicle. You can make a huge and costly mess of your vehicle if

you don't have the proper tools or experience. If you are unsure of anything it is probably better left for

someone with more experience to do it for you. Steve Krabbenborg at

http://www.mbenznl.com

does this

all the time and is way more experienced & knowledgeable than I will ever be. Contact him if you want it

done right ... as opposed to your local MB dealership that will probably do it wrong, if at all!

The retrofit is pretty straightforward on a new "C". It should only take about three hours max, if you are

good (like Steve), under two. For reference, my "C" has the Bose audio option, CD changer, and integrated

V60i cell phone. I created a PDF copy of the Mercedes WIS (Workshop Integrated System) and Service

Bulletins I used for the retrofit specific to the W203 that is available on my information website at

http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsite/

. Just click on the COMAND 2.0 Install link and download or

print the file from there. There are two additional links on that web page with a lot of good information I

used for my retrofit. Read (and understand) all the information completely before starting the retrofit. I

refer to connectors and such in this publication that you won't understand until you read the WIS and other

information from the linked webpages.

Tools required:

Torx T20 bit/driver

Wire cutters/strippers

Molex (or whatever else you want to use) crimping tool

Screwdrivers and a ratchet with assorted metric sockets ... a powered screwdriver will save time

Some hard plastic/nylon wedges and picks for removing snap in panels/covers (shown in the WIS)

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Summary of Contents for Mercedes-Benz MY2001 C-Class COMAND 2.0

Page 1 Mercedes-Benz COMAND 2.0 Retrofit for a MY2001 C-Cla A guide to installing COMAND in your W203 C-Cl The following are some basic instructions on how to retrofit a COMAND 2.0 head unit into a 2001 C-320. These instructions should be similar for all of the new W203 series (although I am not responsible if they aren’t).
Page 2 Parts required: COMAND 2.0 unit specific to your vehicle. I used part number A203 827 4842. This is a 2004 US spec unit that includes the SAT button for the Satellite radio option now available in some 2004 models. I have not hooked this up or know much about it.
Page 3 I also purchased the AUX input harness that allows you to connect an external audio device to the head unit, like and iPod or cassette player (since the COMAND unit does not have one). The part number for that is A203 540 6107. Below is a picture of it (left) with the shortened mating connector harness (right) ready to put back into C2.
Page 4 I am not going to spend time describing how to remove the pieces from your vehicle necessary to do this retrofit. The WIS (on my website) from Mercedes is pretty specific. If you can’t follow them you probably shouldn’t be doing this yourself. The only part of the WIS that was inaccurate was the removal of the center air vent in the dash …...
Page 5 The two antenna connectors, one fiber optic connector, one power/etc connector (A), and one signal/CD connector (C) are removed from the existing head unit when you pull it out. If you don’t have the Bose audio system there will be speaker wires in the “B” connector, otherwise that connector is empty as on mine.
Page 6 I cut the existing “C” connector off but left about 2 inches of wire on that connector. The reason I did that was to allow me to add an additional connector to that piece and the new harness adapter so I could reinstall my Audio 30 unit if need be.
Page 7 Note: The wire colors may be different for different models/years but the pin info should be the same. I cut the C1 and C2 connectors off of the adapter harness I bought leaving about 6 inches of wire to connect to the mating Molex adapter connector I added to the original harness.
Page 8 should free up the door moulding from the body to allow you to route the cable down the rear seat and up the lower “A” pillar plate. Refer to the WIS for removal instructions. You will be installing the Splitter and one end of the GPS antenna coax to this plate located on the right C- pillar.
Page 9 You then lay in the GPS antenna coax along with the rest of the wire bundles already there down the fender well, through the rear and front door sill openings, up the A-pillar, and then under the glove box to the center console opening.
Page 10 If you are going to install the AUX port in the glove box now is the time to do so. There is a knockout port on the right side of the glove box opening like pictured below: Remove it and install the AUX connector (refer to the “G” class install WIS) which will look like this installed in the glove box: I then routed the AUX cable under the glove box with the GPS coax and into the center console opening.
Page 11 Everything should work from the start. I tested my phone, CD changer, radio, AUX, and NAV from the COMMAND panel and steering wheel buttons. You need to go into the NAV screen and enter in your tire size on the calibration screen and your country and time zone in the settings display. The vehicle will require version coding at your local dealership and to make TeleAid display properly on the COMAND display and the instrument cluster display work during navigation.