I was able to install the Sony head unit I bought bypassing fader, but not amps. Now, I've got time, so i took out the seat and backrest. The amps are fried, and I need better sound quality. Before i began cutting the existing wiring, I figured out which wires from the h/u go to the amp input. So, Here are my questions:

1) How the heck do you use 16 gague speaker wire? The wire coming from Sony Harness is tiny, compared to the 16 gague

2) How and where do you route the speaker wire from the back of the head int to the back of the car? Also, how do you crimp that large of a wire? I do not want to solder

I have the tool from AutoZone to cut, splice, and crimp wires, but 16 gague looks to big for that. How do i go about this? I haven't bought speaker wirng yet, and will need to get more crimp caps.

Run the wiring through the dash, and then down the carpeting on the sides or under the door sills. You'll need to remove the big plastic seatbelt thing on the b pillar. Just two screws at the bottom. Then, you'll need to remove the backseats to route it up to the rear deck.

Big thanks to 96C220, who guided me through the install on his personal time. I was able to complete it. Thanks also to danwatt!!

Glad you got it all worked out....

George

__________________
George Androulakis

Former Mb's:

1990 500sl R129 - 76k Original Miles - New project - Follow the saga http://90r129.blogspot.com/
1990 190E 2.6 148k mi (sold)
1989 420 SEL 246k mi (sold)
1995 C220 175k mi (sold)
1992 190e 2.6 74k original miles (sold)
2000 c230 Kompressor 122k miles (RIP)
1996 C220 149k mi (sold)
2000 C230 Kompressor Sport 127k (sold)

Current Cars:

2009 Mercedes c300 4matic
2006 Mercedes s430
2005 Jaguar XJR
2003 Cadillac Escalade

i found that taking out teh passenger seat, and going under the carpet and up to the backseat is much easier than taking that B column out. I did that once and it was a pain in the butt to get that seatbelt adjuster back into position..

just my 2 cents


kris

yeah, well my piece of cr@p sony h/u (XR-CA350X) internal amp couldn't power speakers

This will sound like a very ignorant question...But, do stereo places not carry Mercedes-compatible wiring harnesses? I JUST got a Mercedes and am going to need put a CD player in it because the stock tape/radio is broken.

Yeah there's no Mercedes kit or something to turn their wierd connections into normal connections. It's not bad though, just more work with crimping and such. Search for a site that has wiring diagrams of Mercedes and they'll tell you what color does what.