I am a new forum user with a new Smart 4/2. I have a complete set of instructions and photos on how to install (or remove) the MP3 cable for a Radio 10 model. The information also discusses the challenges of moving the MP3 cable from the glove box to the small space between the steering wheel and the radio, including a photo of the challenge to be overcome. Finally, the information offers a third option for relocating the MP3 cable in the upper kick panel in the passenger foot area. Unfortunately, as a new user, I do not know how to upload such a file so as to include the photos. If someone would offer to upload the file and would send me their email address, I will send them the file, which is in MS Word. Here is the text of the information:
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With the assistance of some experienced Smart Forum users, I was able to install the MP3 cable for the Radio 10 sound system. Also took plenty of photos to better assist the next user. Here is some guidance:
As identified by other users, the lower button console with the seat heater, door locks, hazard warning flasher, etc. buttons must come off first. Previous guidance suggested that this narrow console (see photo) needs to be pried up from the bottom. Actually, it comes straight back toward you (straight out from the console). In the photo, you can see that my fingers are sliding behind the console from the top. However, if you choose the easier method of a screwdriver to pry it out, I completely agree that it is best to begin by prying up from the lower right and left corners of the console; then slip your fingers in behind the console from the top. Also, as pointed out previously by others, the removed console can hang loose without causing a problem.
With the assistance of some experienced Smart Forum users, I was able to install the MP3 cable for the Radio 10 sound system. Also took plenty of photos to better assist the next user. Here is some guidance:
1. As identified by other users, the lower button console with the seat heater, door locks, hazard warning flasher, etc. buttons must come off first. Previous guidance suggested that this narrow console (see photo) needs to be pried up from the bottom. Actually, it comes straight back toward you (straight out from the console). In the photo, you can see that my fingers are sliding behind the console from the top. However, if you choose the easier method of a screwdriver to pry it out, I completely agree that it is best to begin by prying up from the lower right and left corners of the console; then slip your fingers in behind the console from the top. Also, as pointed out previously by others, the removed console can hang loose without causing a problem.
2. In the same square center hole where the lower console wires come through the dash panel is an allen screw. (See photo.) The screw holds in place the plastic panel which surrounds the radio and HVAC vents. Remove the screw. This can be a problem if you drop the screw, which is easy to do in this very tight space.
3. Slide your fingers under the plastic panel which surrounds the radio and HVAC vents. Begin on top nearest the windshield on either corner. Lift gently, and it should come up without too much difficulty. (See photo.) Then pull it toward the back of the car gently to release the plastic clips. Finally, lift the panel up and out from behind the lower dash panel below the radio.
4. The radio has four allen screws which hold it in place in each of the four corners. (See photos.) Unscrew them; they do not need to be removed from the radio; simply unscrewed. Slide the radio straight back and then to the right where it should sit securely on the lip of the glove box.
5. At this point it is fairly easy to see why the manufacturer prefers installing the MP3 cable in the glove box. A ¾” (18mm) hole must be drilled through a panel somewhere, and it would be extremely difficult to drill such a hole into the small space between the radio and the steering wheel. But if you can do that, then the MP3 player plug will fit in there nicely.
I chose Option C, which was to drill a ¾” hole in the passenger foot area. Just to the right of the vertical dashboard mount in the center of the car below the radio/heater area is a plastic kick panel. (See photos.) There is even a large hole to the right of that panel where you can put your hand up and ensure no wires are in the way.
Behind the radio you can feel a large slot at the bottom of the radio hole. If someone put their fingers into that slot, and if another person put their hand in the hole in the passenger foot area kick panel, you could touch fingers. You could also pass your MP3 cable through the slot and mount it in the new ¾” hole you drill in the kick panel. Nice, clean, out of sight installation. Then you can plug your MP3 interface cable into the MP3 female connector in the kick panel and listen to your tunes. The photos below show the final installation and the adapter cable connected to my BlackBerry 8100 with 2 GB of tunes and ebooks. Even mutes the music to answer the phone or allow you to make a call.
If you also choose Option C, I suggest the following sequence: (a) stick you hand in the hole near the kick panel and ensure that no wires are in the way of a drill; (b) drill you hole 1”-2” away from the vertical center console; drills easy, so drill slowly; (c) clean the hole above and below the kick panel to remove excess plastic; (d) remove the plastic locking tip from the MP3 female connector; you may need to pry this gently with a flat-tip screwdriver; this locking tip holds the female connector in the hole you just drilled; (e) lower the female connector without the plastic locking tip through the slot behind the radio, preferably with someone holding the connector which plugs into the back of the radio (optionally, you could plug it into the radio as discussed in step 6 below and slide the radio into its slot, which should give you plenty of slack on the cable); (f) slip your hand into the hole in the kick panel, retrieve the female connector, and slip it into the hole you drilled; if necessary, pinch the plastic tips of the female connector together until they all slip into the hole; (g) reinsert the plastic locking pin into the female connector from outside the kick panel; that will expand the plastic tips of the female connector and hold the connector in the hole.
6. At the back of the radio nearest to the driver’s seat (left hand drive), is the main power connector and wires. Above the main power connector is a slim, dual male connector. The MP3 female cable connector plugs into the small connector slot (in the slim, dual male connector) which is furthest from the driver’s seat. (See photo.) The retaining clip in the MP3 cable connector faces the furthest side of the slim, dual male connector (narrow side furthest from the driver’s seat). Plug this square female connector into the back of the radio.
7. Now you are ready to test your MP3 player. Plug the MP3 player connector cord into the female connector you just installed (you most likely installed it in the glove box or in the kick panel on the passenger foot area as described in step 5 above.) Connect your MP3 player. Now turn on the car key and the radio, selecting AUX via the SRC button. Make sure your MP3 player is at high volume in order to give a full range of volume control to your Smart radio.
8. Turn off the radio and the car key. Then reinstall the radio, the panel which surrounds the radio/HVAC vent, and the lower console by reversing the procedure in steps 1, 2 and 4 above.
9. Turn on your tunes again, then congratulate yourself on a job well done in less than an hour.
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