Hi folks, I just bought a used 2000 S430 last week and I just found out that the seller did not have a CD changer installed in the car. I was looking for an aftermarket unit but got discouraged upon learning that the car's electrickery may not work w/ an aftermarket unit. So that means I'm stuck with an OEM CD-Changer. Before I get one from eBay, is there any of you who had experience in installing it yourself? If yes, would you recommend it? Will the CD-changer play MP3 files? Please let me know of all the details before I proceed buying it. Sorry if this thread has been posted before since I'm brand new here.

Thanks much!

 

Your S430 should be able to use MC3010, MC3110, or MC3198. These are
fiber optic changers. They are (argh) problematic and will eventually you
some headaches. Installation is quite easy and if you're in USA, the fiber
and power cables should be already installed and awaiting hook up. 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

3 - hold down CD button for 30 secs

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. should be painless installation and the hardest part
may be contorting yourself into the boot, prying back the trunk liner and
to look for fiber and power harnesses.

no, it will not play MP3s. you'll need one of several aftermarket devices which
will tap into your sound system. problem is that most require that the MP3
player (Ipod, PDA, etc) be active complent IN PLACE OF your cd changer.

 

does it mean that o need for adaptation / coding in order for the other D2B components to recognize their new pal?

 

i don't know about that. i'm just a backyard mechanic. have worked on 99 E320, another 99 E320 and 00 E320. each displayed "NO CD CHANGER" on the head unit. using a combination of the above techniques, I've avoided having to visit the dealer in each instance. perhaps I've been lucky. i've no first hand knowledge of the 30 second button push suggestion. I found that one on the web by someone claiming that it worked. I'll try to track that down again...

p.s. i still smile when I'm sticking the Smartkey to my chin to extend the range of the un/lock feature. it's silly but it works. so who knows about that 30 second thing. if I can induce the error msg I'd try it. but wouldn't you know it, it wont do this even when I disconnect the changer. i dont want to try and remove the battery cable right now

 

those were nice tips.

i'll give it a try sometime.

thanks.

 

You jave not done so. You will need to go to the dealer or someone who can program your head unit to know that you have a CD changer. You have a fiber optic system and is aet as a loop system that means that if you install a new device you will need to have the Gateway in this case the radio know it is there. All devices connected to this radio runs in series.

 

yes. it has to know what you got.

e.g.

component1 - master
component 2 - cd changer
component 3- telephone
etc.