SLK CD Changer Installation

This page documents the installation of a CD changer in the SLK

By Rafael Tamayo. E-mail:rafael@systema.net

I bought the MB OEM (I believe it is made by Alpine) changer for about $450 from Auto Class in Miami, FL.

There I spoke with Gaston, who was very friendly and ready to lend a hand. Go to: www.autoclass.net

The installation is pretty simple and anyone with some mechanical experience

should be able to do the whole thing in less than one hour.

Step 1: Locate the factory wiring. The cables are located behind the access panel in the passenger side of the trunk.

There are three orange fiber-optic cables. Two of the cables (labeled HU-OUT and TEL-IN) lead to one connector head,

and the third cable (labeled HU-IN) lead to another connector head. There is also a black power cable.

All cables are tie-wrapped and must be untied for the installation. (Finding the cables was the hardest part of the installation.)

Step 2: With a small flat-head screwdriver, carefully, unclip the connector heads for the fiber-optic cables.

Recombine the cables so that the HU-IN and HU-OUT are in the same connector head.

Step 3: Pull out the head unit from the dash. A special tool is normally required for this, but I was able to do it using a Swiss Army knife.

Insert a small blade or file in the slits located in the lower corners of the unit, unclip one side first and then the other one.

Step 4: There are four orange fiber-optic cables leading to two connector heads.

Again carefully unclip the connector heads for the fiber-optic cables.

Step 5: Recombine the cables so that the CDC-IN and CDC-OUT are in the same connector head.

Hook up this connector to the head unit. Replace the head unit in the dash.

Step 6: Go back to the trunk and hook up the fiber-optic and power connectors the CD-Changer unit.

Cut a small notch in the access panel lidfor the wires to come out of, and replace the lid.

Step 7: Secure the changer into place. I don’t have the bracket but I used Velcro straps and it worked fine.