92 300CE CD player not working - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chronodeco · #1 10-11-2004, 01:07 PM

My lights were left on last week and the battery went dead and now the CD player (Becker 1432) does not work. When I switch modes to the CD I get:
CD (space) M (long space) E then it switches back to the tuner. I did a search but could not find a solution. I even reintered the code after disconnecting the battery again but it made no difference. Suggestions?
Thanks, Craig

chronodeco · #2 10-11-2004, 02:04 PM

Add to the last post - the 10 CD magazine will not eject also. Craig

S320drvr · #3 10-11-2004, 02:35 PM

Just guessing here, but if the magazine does not eject then the cd player is probably not getting power. Did you check the fuse(s)?

You may want to post this over in the audio forum also as there are a number of talented individuals over there as well.

dakota · #4 10-11-2004, 06:53 PM

What you need to do is 'reset' the CD changer.

To do this, you need to remove power from the changer, (by either unplugging the power cable to the CD changer (the flat 4-pin connector) or disconnecting the main battery cable), then hold the "Eject" button down, while reconnecting power to the changer.

This should reset it and hopefully you won't have a CD jammed in the mechanism.

chronodeco · #5 10-13-2004, 09:55 AM

Dakota - I did what you suggested and got the magazine out but there is 1 CD still in the unit. Any suggestions or am I going to have to send it to the shop? Thanks, Craig

dakota · #6 10-13-2004, 10:28 AM

Craig, the first time I had this happen, I didn't know how to do the reset, so I sent it in. The second time, after I was able to get the magazine to eject, I just used a needle nose plier and carefully pulled the CD out. It ruined the CD of course. But it all has seemed to function correctly since (two years, so far).

I've done a couple things that seems to have eliminated the jamming problem so far. I don't ever eject the mag while the changer is playing. In other words, I shut the radio off when I eject. Also, some have reported that fewer CDs in a mag seems to help. Usually I have only nine CDs in, but not always. This may soun strange, but I also try to minimize the number of times I switch a mag. I know this changer is not that robust, so I figure that every time I *don't* eject it, is one time more that I have extended its ultimate life.

chronodeco · #7 10-20-2004, 12:35 PM

Thanks, I'll give it a try. Craig

TROVERMAN · #8 10-20-2004, 01:39 PM

A CD-Changer should last the life of the vehicle as long as there are no foreign objects put inside the changer, and as long as the car hasn't been in some major accident or flood. Clean the CD changer, too.
We recently sold our 1996 Volvo 960 wagon, with a 6-CD Changer in the rear. We tried it out on a test drive, it worked fine. The day we bought it on the ride home it stopped working! It would not play or eject the magazine. This was a common problem. I took the changer out of the car, and then took the cover off. With the cover off you can easily manually eject the magazine and remove (without damaging the CD) any extra discs which may not be back in the magazine. I then put a light oil on the plastic gears, the motor shaft, and rubbed the magazine itself down with oil. I cleaned the CD lens with one of those fiber-brush discs, and then the unit performed flawlessly until we sold it. Most people think if there is a problem with their CD-Changer, they have to send it in. In some cases, you do have to, but most causes of changer failure are home-remediable. If it messes up again, take the cover off and see if anything looks out of place. It could save you a lot.

***Best CD-Changer in terms of reliability for me:
Alpine / Range Rover 6-CD unit in 1992 Range Rover with 200k on it. Performs perfect even in sub-zero temps, never skips over bumps. No issues, ever.

chronodeco · #9 10-21-2004, 12:13 PM

To Dakota - I did manage to pull the CD out that was still in the changer. I had to lift up on it quite a bit and yes I did wreck it but for the time I saved, that was OK with me. As for the last responce, I'll bet most cars will outlast their CD players by many years. I believe that average CD player life span is probably around 10 years. Craig

dakota · #10 10-21-2004, 09:08 PM

Glad you got it to work, Craig.

Troverman, I agree, it probably would be better to take it apart to get the CD out. But like, Craig, I felt that I saved a bit of time. Next time, I may take it apart, so I can, as you mentioned, do a bit of servicing to the mechanism and lens.

Purplxd · #11 02-15-2007, 02:50 AM

I tried this on my unit, and it worked once then it got stuck again and didn't reset the second time.

Wires seem okay, but I'm curious if there is a specific fuse for it. I checked the fuses in the trunk and under the hood but they all look fine.

Also, if anyone has a repair manual for a 1432, it would be appreciated since I'd like to realign the cassette.

Cheers
Aaron

zodiax · #12 05-22-2007, 01:28 AM

I have the same problem. My cartridge will not eject no matter what I do. I tried the reset power / hold the eject button down method but it still does not. The motor just grinds and no matter how I move the cartridge it never pops up. I tried pulling it out with all my strength and it just doesn't move. What can I do? Is there a specific method to get this out? My radio does not recognize it either...