Aftermarket HU in Mercedes-Benz E320 - CAN bus?

[[email protected]]

Hello, I am trying to add an aftermarket head unit to a 2002
Mercedes-Benz E320. I would like to keep the Bose amp and speakers and
only replace the headunit. I have the necessary Metra wiring harness
(#70-1784), but I am not sure which way to connect the wires. Using a
multimeter to check the wiring harness, I can only find 12V power and
ground.

Are the other control wires handled by the CAN bus? Is it possible to
add an aftermarket head unit to a CAN bus system? I've heard a
steering wheel adapter would give me the control lines, but I don't
need that function or that expense. Any other way?

And does anyone know the pinouts of the 2002 E320? They are apparently
not the same as the SLK, though they both use the same head unit. Any
help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[[email protected]]

I've found it's very easy to use an aftermarket headunit with the Bose
amp and speakers. Here are two links to my write up for the process:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audio-telematics-forum/1264316-confirm-2002-e320-radio-wiring-harness.html
http://www.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=151715

I hope this helps people get better sound without replacing the good
Bose system.

wrote:
> Hello, I am trying to add an aftermarket head unit to a 2002
> Mercedes-Benz E320. I would like to keep the Bose amp and speakers and
> only replace the headunit. I have the necessary Metra wiring harness
> (#70-1784), but I am not sure which way to connect the wires. Using a
> multimeter to check the wiring harness, I can only find 12V power and
> ground.
>
> Are the other control wires handled by the CAN bus? Is it possible to
> add an aftermarket head unit to a CAN bus system? I've heard a
> steering wheel adapter would give me the control lines, but I don't
> need that function or that expense. Any other way?
>
> And does anyone know the pinouts of the 2002 E320? They are apparently
> not the same as the SLK, though they both use the same head unit. Any
> help would be appreciated. Thanks.