The radio indicates that there is no magazine in the 6 cd changer when cd button is pressed. But there is magazine in the changer. When I press the magazine eject button on the changer the light blinks a few times but the magazine does not pop up. What can I do short of pulling the CD changer out of the trunk? the car is 1999 E300 turbodiesel, Bose setup.

__________________
2010 ML350 Bluetec
2012 Mustang Convertible

The CD changers offered by MB are notoriously unreliable, finicky and proned
to problems. Two main things I see preventing the magazine cartridge from
ejecting is

1) CD tray is extended into the changer and unable to retract, for
some reason. Disassemble or send to some MB changer specialist like La Jolla.
Oh yes, you should be able to look closely and see one or more of the 6 trays
in the open position if you look into the gap to the right of the cartridge.

2) is that the carrier bracket surrounding the 6 slot cartridge is not lined up
precisely to the opening. When the EJECT button is pressed, the motor whirls
and tries to push the cartridge out but encounters too much resistance. In this
case, you use you finger/nail and flick the front edge of the cartridge upwards
in hopes of assisting the cartridge into a more favorable position.

If I had a cost effective way of converting to MP3 player, I'd do it in a blink.
These Mickey Mouse changers are the pits.

__________________
-- raymond~
47º 34'N 122º 18'W

Hi Rafi,

Your problem is not uncommon with the Fiberoptic changers. We are very aware of the problems and the changes that are needed and required to make the changer work and be more reliable. If you need it serviced please visit our WEB site for the repair form. Thank you.

Cleeve Morrison
La Jolla Audio Repair

www.mercedesradiorepair.net

Ah yes, Becker CD changers. Before this unit I had the Silverstone 10 CD changer in the other car. I know about Becker CD changers. But at least it was a 10 CD changer not 6.

Anyway I took out the CD changer, removed the mounting bracket and opend up the cover. There was a CD still loaded in play position somehow it was not retracting when the eject button is pressed. I moved it into the magazine and replaced the cover and it ejected OK. Now it plays OK.

About 25 % of time when CD on the radio is pressed it says no magazine.
Eject and reinsert magazine and it start playing. I am more in favor of replacing the unit with single CD player in the radio instead repairing or replacing this unreliable changer. I mean who playes cassetts these days.

If Becker was big on 8-track probably they would still have 8-track players.

__________________
2010 ML350 Bluetec
2012 Mustang Convertible

Yeah, I replaced my head unit with the Audio 10, which dumps the audio
cassette and has single slot CD. It was important for me to retain the
factory look and not some ice blue look. Too bad the specs on any MB
issued head units sux and not close to the features and value of aftermarket
units.

__________________
-- raymond~
47º 34'N 122º 18'W

The changer in your 99 is most likely an alpine. Becker's changers are rare in those cars after 93. The head unit probably is a Becker though. Becker does have a single cd plug and play radio that has the ability to accept an auxiliary input. It looks close to OEM and is a popular upgrade from the tape units.

Here is a picture....



Here are the specs...

http://www.beckerautosound.com/4602specs.html2

Good to know that the changer is Alpine. I will avoide that brand name.
Another CD radio is the Becker Monza no flip faceplate which I like also it playes MP3.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
2010 ML350 Bluetec
2012 Mustang Convertible

the only thing with the monza is that it is a euro spec radio which means the AM does not tune in the proper increments.

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...

take a 4 inch paring knife (or similar) and insert it between the cartridge and the cd player in the area between the eject button and the the small tristar about center of the cartridge. slide the knife firmly towards the tristar, which will release the latching mechanism.

Jim in Phoenix

I have the changer not showing on the front single/stereo unit. It's a 2001 ML.
It worked fine then I had my electric brake box replaced and it doesn't show the 6 changer or play.
Thanks.

__________________
Mercedes lover !!!!
My ML 430 sportrocks!

The knife trick sounds good and would work in some instances BUT most of the time a cartridge tray is half way stuck into the laser section. If you were to try and force the tray out you WILL damage the internal parts. Not recommended. The problem is an internal one and just removing the cartridge will not solve the problem. It may work for a little bit but it WILL do it again. Service is required to solve the problem. I can help in that department.

As for the ML changer problem: You may try and disconnect the Fiber Optic cable at the changer along with the Power plug. Then reconnect the power cable and then the Fiber Optic cable. Then press the eject button on the changer BEFORE inserting the cartridge. This may solve the problem.


Cleeve Morrison
La Jolla Audio Repair
www.lajollaaudiorepair.com

I tried the procedure you recommended. It didn't work, but thanks so much anyway. It was worth a shot!
My husband says my "console" or "radio thing" needs to be reset and have the code re-entered. What do you think?
Did you happen to see the background of the situation on my other thread? Maybe if you have any other ideas?

__________________
Mercedes lover !!!!
My ML 430 sportrocks!

Hi MLMaiden,
I would suggest that you send it to me to be tested. If it is defective I will let you know what the cost of an exchange would be. If it checks out fine then I will see if I can find out what you can do next. Either way, you need to know if it is the changer.

Cleeve Morrison
La Jolla Audio Repair
www.lajollaaudiorepair.com

simple fix...take the palm of your hand and slam it against the bottom of the CD changer and it should come right out. these CD changers are prone to getting stuck and doing this seems violent but it won't harm the changer...

good luck.