Instructions for Installing a Head Unit into a 1999 SLK 230 Manual
By Paul Lomba
I installed a Pioneer Premier DEH-P940MP cd/mp3 player (same as the Pioneer DEH-P9400MP) in the dash, but kept the stock amplifier and speakers. It sounds so much better! It is louder without distortion. It has more low end (BASS). The stock Bose amp does a great job. I used only the front speaker wires from the radio, NOT the line outs. It seems to work fine. There in NO fader control on the amp so I set the fader to front. I do not know how it would sound using the line outs, or if Line outs work on the Bose amp.
The only downside I see so far is that the display is difficult to read in the daylight.
Having MP3s in the car IS AWESOME!!!! YOU MUST TRY IT!!!
It took me about 45 minutes to install this radio from start to finish.
Tools needed:
Small flat knife blade or similar object to remove OEM radio
Wire cutters / strippers
Crimping tool
Electrical tape
Wire connectors (closed ended or butt connectors)
Multimeter (or test light... I suggest multimeter)
These AWESOME instructions :-)
I suggest using a wire harness to install the new radio. This way, no wires are cut, and the OEM radio can be reinstalled in 5 min if you ever sell the car.
I suggest NOT using tape to connect wires together. I suggest using insulated closed ended connectors THAT YOU CRIMP! Twist the wires together and CRIMP! Or use insulated butt-connectors. DO NOT use twist on connectors that do not crimp (like the type used in home electrical wiring)
Wire Harness: Metra Turbowire wire harness #70-9002 for VW. This package comes with two (2) harnesses. The smaller 10 pin harness is NOT used in this installation. The main 16 pin harness is the one that is used. This harness must be modified. It has to be cut in two (props to Gary Hart for this info www.garyhart.com). Do NOT follow wiring codes on back of bag or the writing on the wires themselves. These are incorrect for this car (for instance, 12v constant and ignition are switched). Remember, this is NOT a VW.
Always use a multimeter to double check wiring. Wire the radio wires to the harness BEFORE plugging the harness to the car. Cover all unused wires individually with a piece of tape to prevent shorts
Antenna adapter: Antennaworks antenna adapter cable #40-VW10 for VW/Audi.
Wiring color codes on the Mercedes harness:
Brown = Ground
Pink w/ yellow stripe & green dots = 12v ignition
Gray w/ blue stripe = Illumination
Blue w/ white stripe = Amp turn on lead
Red w/ green stripe = 12v constant
Yellow w/ green stripe = ? (I didn't check, sorry) (not used)
Green w/ white stripe = ? (I didn't check, sorry) (not used)-------------------------------------------------
Blue w/ red stripe = Left front negative
Blue = Left front positive
Yellow w/ brown stripe = Right front negative
Yellow = Right front positive
These instructions MIGHT work for other years or SLK models. TEST BEFORE CONNECTING!!!
Pic of dash with stock radio removed. Note the stock radio wire harness and antenna plug.
Opening is standard DIN size. New radio sleeve fits right into the slot without modifications.
Pic of Metra wire harness cut in two. Each half had to be shaved down a bit to fit the MB harness.
Car harness plugged into Metra harness
.
Antenna adapter
Everything connectedÉ tested to see if it works before radio is slid into sleeve YAY, I did it right!
Reach in and tuck wires down under sleeve
Slide in the headunit
Listen for and feel for the click
Install trim piece to radio
Thrill the audience with the cool ID3 tags on the disc AND the track time!
That's all there is to it!!
Boffo remote attaches to the steering wheel!
Control your radio without taking your eyes off the road.
Always take your removable face with you!
