Thread: Reversing camera W203 C-class sedan

For my next project I want to install a reversing camera in a W203 (2006) sedan. The car has Comand installed (thanks Richard & Miro for the advice), and the Comand unit has a video port which is currently vacant.

I believe from previous postings here that the NTG2.0 Comand doesn't support a reversing camera. However She Who Must Be Obeyed (who also drives the car most of the time) has instructed me to check again.

So, is there any way to connect a reversing camera to the vacant video port on the Comand? If not a genuine MB solution, is there an after-market solution? (I'm not interested in having an extra screen on the dash or anything like that - needs to be an elegant solution).

Thanks again for this forum - it is exceptional!

The solution varies a little if you have tv or not.

The no tv solution runs a cable from the COMAND to the same location that TV is normally found. You then need a modulator. A wiring harness from the modulator to the camera.

The hardest part will be
-------------------------
- cutting a hole in the metal
- cutting a hole in the handle
- swapping the W203 brain for a W164 brain and keeping the W203 front face.

If you have TV.
----------------
Then you need the W164 harness from TV tuner to Modulator. The rest is the same.

Originally Posted by BenzModz

The solution varies a little if you have tv or not.

The no tv solution runs a cable from the COMAND to the same location that TV is normally found. You then need a modulator. A wiring harness from the modulator to the camera.

The hardest part will be
-------------------------
- cutting a hole in the metal
- cutting a hole in the handle
- swapping the W203 brain for a W164 brain and keeping the W203 front face.

There's no TV, so I would need a modulator (presumably to turn the camera signal into RF?)

The harness from the modulator to the camera: Is this an MB component, or would I need to get something made up? How is the harness run from the front of the vehicle to the back? Is it necessary to lift carpets, door trims etc, or does it go through the roof liner?

- cutting a hole in the metal, - cutting a hole in the handle: I presume you mean cutting holes in the boot lid and handle to install the camera?

- swapping the W203 brain for a W164 brain and keeping the W203 front face: Not sure what you mean by "brain". Do you mean replacing the innards of the Comand?

Further question - how does the system detect when reverse is engaged and change the mode on the head unit. Is that done via the CAN bus?

It's starting to look complicated and expensive.

Some notes
--------------------
* use the W164 No TV floor harness.

* use a W164 circuit board in the COMAND

* modulator used in all cases

* smaller harness from modulator to camera is from a W204

* After coding ... the reverse video switch is automatic.

Thanks again, Miro.

I think this is one for the Too Hard basket.