Right on. This one baffled me for awhile then I realized the same thing. My car will power on the deck for about 30 seconds, then everything shuts down. I just used the original radio wires.

Still have the car. Still working good. Radio reception sucks a bit but I normally hotspot my phone and use Spotify for music, as well as Waze for navigation. It does update the car to today's standard screen wise. I'm sure if you purchase one today, the updated ones now are even faster and better than mine. If I have time, I would get a front dashcam that incorporates into this deck as well.

Thanks for your comment. As far as I recall, it's been awhile, the steering wheel control where pretty straight forward plugging into the harness. As for camera, are you using it with the factory camera or the aftermarket? I use mine with the factory camera with the special harness that is necessary. As for the T-taps, it's just an inline method to tap into an existing wire, not necessary but an easy way.

Yes I am!

It does not have a sim card. I use the bluetooth matching from my phone to make calls. I am using a Franklin mobile hotspot mounted near the top of the windshield next to the rear view mirror mount. Works great. I mounted the microphone the simplest way, just above the steering wheel. As for the fade, didn't really need it as it turned out pretty balanced so I opted to just leave it alone. As for the W164 ML550, I upgraded the mats inside the car. I custom ordered a set which covers both fronts, rears and the trunk. All matching black with diamond shape stitching in Red. Gets compliments whenever someone new ride in the car. Cost was about $120. I also have front and rear dashcam (capacitor ones as the battery version overheated on my before and puffed up). Recently added a roof crossbar too. Low cost and works pretty well. Amazon.

@@Wong4u Thanks for the reply! Do you have links for the mats and crossbars.

Sorry for the late reply, I missed your question. Did you powered up the fiberoptics box? That would be the only issue I can think of.

I just used the fraka adapter with the factory camera connector. I don't recall having to power up the camera but it's been about a year ago so hard to remember now. So an update from last year. It's still functioning good. With the setting for delay shut down, it's wonderful as now, practically no reboot time for short stops at groceries stores and such. Up to 30 minutes stops, no initial reboot sequence. I learned to remove unnecessary apps to give the unit more memory to work with. I'm using an external tmobile hotspot in my car to give it internet and the speed to reasonable enough for streaming KZfaq videos. Wazes works fantastic as navigation and police/accidents alerts. Well worth the cost of the unit.

@@Wong4u did that and still nothing, any other idea for the camara

Still working pretty good as I've been using Nova Launcher as my front end and it's much more customizable and prettier. However, there is no way to link odb2 to torque app as the Bluetooth is only one way discovery meaning your device has to find it, not the stereo finding your device. Another is that Nova Launcher don't have an interface with the radio control so using it, you cannot get local radio stations but I'm using Amazon music, pandora, spotify and USB stick so my music choices are pretty unlimited but would be of been nice to have it. Going back to the original launcher, everything is back to normal. One last thing bothering me now but getting use to, is the start up time, it seems like it's a cold start everytime. Before I could of swore it was quick. Maybe its me doing some rewiring as I was messing with the looking for the car stock dimmer wire so the stereo unit will dim with the car. Overall, it was worth the time and investment switching out the factory with this. Modernize the car significantly and having Waze on a big screen is beautiful. Many times I would have KZfaq music videos playing as my music source.

@@Wong4u great i m looking to but for my bmw e46 and toopai android 10 ones are around 220$ and there are other brands for 400$.hard to decide when the product description is vague and not honest. AliExpress issues, it's always a gamble

@@takobaba8616 lol, I'm also looking for another unit for my e46 m3 as well. Couldn't find the differences between android 10 vs 9.1. For my e46, same issue as I have factory nav so I need the fiber optic box again. This time I'm looking for either an eonon or avin unit.

Sound quality is actually pretty good, my guess is the fiber optic conversion box is working as it should. My guess is the limitation is from the speakers themselves.

Hello, was just wondering if your subwoofer is working

This was the item from Amazon I bought. Currently no longer available but many other similar ones. www.amazon.com/dp/B07QJCGFG1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_AH5VA64NQ06ASH3YMNKN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

As beautiful as it was, the interface is just outdated by technology unfortunately. Live google/waze map is so much more useful.

You need the fakra cable connector, about $10 from Amazon

I used spotify on a daily basis as well as Waze. Google voice works but in the noisy car environment, it often mishear what ask. Instead of the factory OS, I installed Nova Launcher on top of it. This give me cell phone like capability with both look and feel as well as functionality. What I do loose is the Radio station as Nova Launcher does not support grabbing the code from the original OS and passing the radio through. Since I listen to Spotify (and Pandora), no loss for me. I also loaded VLC to launch music from the USB drive. I have a 128GB drive which is loaded with 40,000+ songs I collected over the years along with dozens of movies. Most of these are just for backup as I can just launch youtube and search for pretty much any music there. The sound quality on my unit is pretty good. Better and louder than the factory Bose it replaces, surprising enough. What I am beginning to hate is that it does not remember where I left off once you turn off the car. You basically have to start all over again, launching Spotify or whatever you where doing before you turn off the car, even for a short few seconds. Annoying as hell but its something you will have to get used to. At least that's with the Nova launcher.

@@Wong4u you can set the sleep mode for this stereo from 10 minutes to 1 or 2 hours if you like (stereo will stay in standby mode after the car is turned off)

@@Jagogjk1 I will search for that function today. Thanks

@@Wong4u usually it is under settings car settings or general settings, if you can not find it go to settings about tablet hit the gear icon password 0000 or 8888 then you will have several options there, just be careful you can mess things up in there if you don't know what are you doing.

@@Jagogjk1 Found it and it works fantastic. Immediate boot and goes back to where I left off. Thumbs up to you Autopassionjk

No movement at all, actually, ever so slightly too large. Wish it was 1mm smaller. Thanks for the update on the fakra wire color, this will help others.

@@Wong4u you're lucky. I had to cut metal plate at the back of radio. It took me half a day to do. China is still doing shitty products

Same answer as the other. Just tap into a remote lead when car turns on. Note though, Mercedes has this weird way of having power on for like 30 seconds after you turn off the car which leads to false positive when you test things out. Threw me off testing for hours thinking something was wrong when in fact, that's the way its setup.

It should fit all W164 mercedes as the center console is the same. Bought mine from Amazon but this particular model is no longer available but many other similar ones are. For HK, you will need a fiber optic box add on.

What would be a good one at this moment? On the other hand; I am a audiophile and have an old Nakamichi headunit that sounds great and of course high end amps. I Was thinking about making 2 seperate setups with the original Mercedes unit in place (for telephone and nav). But the Android system would be better. Could I connect it to a (aux) another head unit, connected to my own amps?

There is a module that can split the balance but after a few months of this, I fell there was no need as it works just fine the way it is. Way louder and more bass than my stock deck.

Steering wheel control is pretty straight forward. Just follow the color scheme in the direction. Mine all works fine.

This was the one I purchased from amazon as it was the same brand as the stereo www.amazon.com/TOOPAI-Optical-Decoder-Mercedes-Porsche/dp/B07VSXZ3DS/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=w164+fiber+optic+decoder&qid=1604123409&sr=8-7

You have to purchase that separately, around $100 USD. It's not included as not all cars need it.

Yes

I used the factory camera. Just used the farka cable/connector to covert.

If I recall, it's just basic power ground power and remote turn on lead. Nothing special. The key was testing out the correct fiber optic connection before you put everything back together. Just test it when everything is out. You may need to swap the fiber optic wire around.

@@Wong4u ok, where should I attach the yellow, red and black wires on the MOST decoder? Because I know those wires start the box right???

@@EnlightenedOne77 see if you can find in my video where I tapped into the wiring harness. I forgot myself .

@@Wong4u I think so but I seen you clip on color coated clips and you never showed where you plugged them. You went right over to power on the unit

You must of connected to constant 12v instead of ignition 12v, that's the only thing I can think of. Even after 3 years of my install, my car still starts as normal. Even though the unit is aging against newer units, it still functions pretty well when I hotspot my phone and using the Waze app for mapping and traffic and bluetooth for music streaming. No regret installing it for what it's worth.

@@Wong4u user error, sorry! I have android 11, little different setup. My backup camera worked after I switched it to NTSC mode, but backup camera light does not work. Can you help ?

What's ntsc mode how to get to it

Go into setting for the camera. You may need admin code to go into advance settings

You wil have to check Amazon Australia for price and availability. I'm not sure what the going price is. Sorry.

It does not work with the factory CD changer. It will output to the headrest screen as it has output plugs with the stereo.

Oh, it's ordered from Amazon

@@Wong4u do you know where I can get one that works with the 6 cd changer?

Really no need for CD changer as you can now use a USB thumb drive with this and have thousands of music on a 64gb drive instead.

I am not able to via the radio. Had to go to independent mechanic who has a STAR diagnostic equipment and they are able to easily.

What do you mean factory module? Are you referring to the amplifier? That's what the optical box is for, using it in conjunction with the factory amplifier. Otherwise you can bypass all of that and use an external amp or the alpine built in amp to power the speakers. I think the easiest is to use the optical box as you retain the usage of the Mercedes amp

@@Wong4u Hello. the alpine i want has every thing i just came from a sterio expert? he wont touch it, but you did it can you send me a list of what i need for my 2008 ml550 diagrams anything will hepl you make it seam se easy i could do it with your help.ill pay you something for your help.

FM works great on the stock OS. I'm running Nova Launcher on top of it which looses the FM radio feature. I use Spotify, Pandora and KZfaq for music.

In the settings, there is a function which you can set the for fast boot. It can be set at 5, 10, 30, and 60 minutes on mine which helps start up time tremendously. If I hope into a grocery store and come out, it resumes my music as well as whatever else I had opened before.

@@Wong4u ok thanks I will try that . I'm confused as to why its such a delay some days its comes on as it should others its a 15 mins before i get sound . I wonder if I'm having can communication issues

Yeah, if I had to do it all over again, I would just spend the $$ and get a Kenwood / Alpine / Sony as they are so much more reliable and responsive.

@@Wong4u Turned out to be the acc wire on my fiber optic decoder I had to connect it to a constant everything works great now . 👍

You cannot. You will need a mercedes STAR diagnostic tool or have Mercedes do it for you. It's a setting they can enable where you can adjust the clock via the steering wheel.

​@@Wong4u Thank you very much

Unfortunately no, it will not work with the changer. However, with the usage of SD card, it's way better than a changer. You can literally have thousands of songs on it

It functions perfectly with the adapter. Looks better than the original as the screen is larger.

@@Wong4u do you have the link for the Adapter , Recently Added a screen in my ml350 as well need the link for it 🙏🏽🤞🏽

I used the factory backup camera via the Fakra cable that I purchased. Made the installation much quicker. However, the stereo did include an aftermarket camera which I chose not to use as why.

And what site did you get the fakra from

I plug the aftermarket camera adapter to but got no signal did your plug have two small yellow wires next to the yellow rca cable

Correct, you will need to have Mercedes dealer, via odb2, enable to adjust clock using the steering wheel control menu.

@@Wong4u Oof, that sucks, so basically never let you car battery die? (for me i found out i am running the OG battery for 13 years! but am getting a warning to replace!)

@@TheZenMicro Knock on wood, my dash clock is exactly one hour different than real time because of daylight saving time. I'm waiting for the time to jump back so it matches :)

@@Wong4u im pretty sure you can set the time via this stereo but i dont remember how it works, i will install another one for one of my clients on the next weekend and if i figure out how to do this i will let you know.

Here is a video how to set the time in the instrument cluster kzfaq.info/get/bejne/laeAgpp4l96sgoU.html

No it does not work the XM or factory CD. Figure，there is really no need for CD as you can put all your music on a USB drive, say 32GB will hold thousands of music.

I have the solution for issue No.1 In the adapter harness that came with the unit there is a red and a orange wire with a connector from unit side and from adapter side labeled something like Batt+ or similar, disconnect that connector and isolate it with electrical tape and it will work. About issue No.2 depends if its the factory camera or the aftermarket one that came with the unit there are different solutions for each one.

Did you find an answer I’m having same issue ?

Malcolm Mack nope, some people post diy videos but don’t answer diy questions

@@malcolmmack3108 I found a solution after deep researching with trial and error, locate the back up camera wire, use any rca cable and splice them and tap them into the oem wire and then the male into the reverse rca female on the aftermarket hard drive.

KingVDT519 any pics or how do I trace the reverse camera wire to the head unit? I just got my sound to work today but camera still not working getting a no signal message on screen

Frakra adapter from green to CAM IN. That's all

Personally I have no problem with drain during my 2+ years but best to go with a tap with one for sure no drainage.

@@Wong4u thanks man, also I installed mine and my speakers have a loud thump every minute if the car is unlocked and one loud thump when I start it up and then it’s normal. When it’s locked no loud thump. Is it possibly my fibre optic? I have it currently wired ACC and B to the cable on the right of the ACC and the negative to the one on top. I’ll probably have to get a multi meter to test since I got a 11 ml550 and you have a 09.

Normally any notice from stereos are caused by grounding. Try running the negative directly to see if that solves the problem.

@@Wong4u thanks bro. Will check it out today. Might be because my T tap loose. I’ll double check

@@Wong4u hey man I just bought a whole new unit. I installed everything fine and the problem I have only is there is no audio at all. I have switched the fiber optic red and white cables to the other red and white on the navigation but still no audio.

Are you using a fiber optic converter box? Its an optional unit and all the pretty much do is take the factory fiber optic output and convert it to analog rca.

D W yes I am, what I find weird is how your fiber optic cable is connected to nothing but remains turned on. On my end nothing is turned on, the fiber optic box and the cable are both turned off and nothing is happening. Is there a power for the amp or something I’m missing the connection for?

@@andorexurix2491 I have the same problem like you. the fiber optic cable turns red only if I connect the factory head unit. Did you find a solution for that?

@@sylwiugta da, am cumpărat altul :))

@@andorexurix2491 Deci ai cumparat cu totul alta unitate cu tot cu cablaj si decodor Canbus? Decodorul de fibra optica a ramas acelasi?

Did you get the fiber optic converter box or did you run wires from back of car??

@@Jagogjk1 I bought the fiber optic box from amazon as it was the same brand as the deck. www.amazon.com/TOOPAI-Optical-Decoder-Mercedes-Porsche/dp/B07VSXZ3DS/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=w164+fiber+optic+decoder&qid=1604123409&sr=8-7

Not exactly the same unit as it's discontinued because its older with android 9. The new version from the same company is this one www.amazon.com/dp/B0827R4DZJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_FQVV4KTVC19SDE6XK435 This one is Android 10.

I just checked, this particular sku is no longer available on amazon but there is others basically the same from this brand as well as others. The key is get the most amount of RAM as possible to avoid slowdown. At least 3gb, 4gb would be ideal.

D W thank you I Oder it but backup cam isn’t worked for ml350

There is a setting where you can choose standby time. First boot is up to a minute depending on which skin you use. However, if you set say 15min standby, anytime within 15min, it will immediately boots up and goes back to where you left off.

No FM issue. Signal as before. I wished I waited to get the Android 10. The 4gb ram is nice. Maybe I'll upgrade next year to something else as there is always something new. Good luck with your install.

@@Wong4u I got the android 10 with faster processor and more RAM. It's OK but still a little sluggish

MB has a powered antenna module in the trunk door and some people (like me in the past) don't connect the antenna power wire and then you get a terrible FM reception, even if the antenna power is not a plug and play wire you have to connect it with a same matching color (on the android stereo adapter)

@@Jagogjk1 Hi. Would you please check the color of that cable?

@@Jagogjk1 I have a bad reception on fm what cables should be connected to where to resolve problem oh and an you change the screen tabs in size .happy with unit and should i get a internet dongle

The wiring is pretty straight forward if you follow the labeled wiring that comes with the unit. The only gotch was not knowing one of the wires because of the color coding.

It's a Toopai brand which they do not sell this particular model any longer. But just do an Amazon search for W164 Stereo and you should be able to find various other ones similar to this model. Just look for the fastest processor you are willing to pay.

@@Wong4u thank you so much for very quick reply. ☺️

The fiber optic box is pretty generic so part numbers is not going to really matter.

@@Wong4u thank you great job I did mine and it came out fantastic

Unit no longer sold as it's too old now, but still function perfectly. New models are faster and prettier now. Just search on Amazon, lots of choices.

I can’t get my. Factory camera to work either, he didn’t really explain or show how it was connected to the box, only the color of the plugs

You need a fakra adapter that goes from green to CAM IN (yellow)

uzoma Prosper I just installed the same head unit branded as Hizpo in my 2010 W164 ML350. I’d suggest checking the antenna output on your current unit as mine has a dual FAKRA output plug and the adapter supplied with the Hizpo unit is a single male FAKRA. I have found an adapter on EBay to solve this issue but right now I am only getting FM band radio. Not a big problem but I want everything to work! Definitely worth getting the Microphone too as the one on the head unit is pretty useless unless you are shouting at it. There is a way to tap into the car’s inbuilt mic but that is beyond my electronics skills. Note that the antenna connection shown intel video is incorrect. He has connected it to the Bluetooth antenna FAKRA connection I think rather that the radio connection.

Unrelated question, currently saving to buy my first suv - was thinking ‘08 ML350 CDI with 100k miles, how would you rate your reliability/ownership? Absolutely love the W164, thank you in advance

I just install it on my ml350 and I love it except when I turn the engine of and lock the car the android system stays on... Any idea on what to do?

@@bradsnell7676 Sigh... The plot thickens with this unit (and likely other Chinese head units), hard to get a straight answer about everything working with these units as there are so many aspects to consider

The brand is Toopai but its no longer available. There are dozens of other brands and models which can fit in our ML/GL.

This particular unit is no longer available but even better ones are out with android 10 and faster processor

It's no longer available from Amazon anymore. I don't recall ,I'll have to look it up next time I'm in the car.

Yes there are well known brand like Kenwood,JVC, Alpine, etc. Except they are about double or triple in price as well as not offering full "Android" features but skinned in their own flavor. The name brand does have better touch screen sensitivity and speed, but again the cost. I was just weighing in cost and benefits and choose this for the features.