Help! I am trying to install a Sony CDX-C590 in my 1983 300SD. I ordered an installation kit from Critchfield. It came with a wiring harness and speaker connections. I put the wiring harness on with no problem, except I don’t know how to connect the antenna wire to make it go up/down with the unit on/off.

The bigger problem is the speaker connections. The kit came with connections (the German 2 pin type) for each of the 4 speakers, R/L front and R/L rear for a total of 4 connects. The existing connection for power works good. My trouble is I only have 2-speaker connection on the original. I pulled out the fader switch from the center console and it has 5 wires on it.

My question is, are the 2 connections one for the front and one for the rear? Because there is only 5 wires on the fader are 4 of the wire positives to the different speakers and one common ground? I notice that the existing Becker Gran Prix Radio does not have a left or right type of adjustment.

How should I wire the speakers and the antenna?

Thanks.

Normally the head unit have a wire for the antenna to go up and down with the unit no/off. [Wrong text removed!]. About the speaker connections; read the excellent text at: http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W124Stereo . I have included a snip from the above text:

"The center console fader switch is a device that will probably be bypassed on your installation. The early Becker Grand Prix was a 2X20watt head unit that was split by the fader switch to drive 4 speakers from 2 channels of amplifier. Most aftermarket head units have 4 channels of amplification and an integral fader, so the one in the center console should not be used in the new installation."

[Wrong text removed!]

/Patrik

[Edited by patrik_the_swede on 02-19-2001 at 03:34 AM]

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Patrik Sjoblom....1993 MB 320 CE......Bought Jan 2001. Only 16.8 mpg
Stockholm.........Silvermetallic....DEFA immobilizer/alarm + Original larm
SWEDEN............17x7.5 ET35 wheels with 215/45-17 Kumho 712 ECSTA .

I did it, and so can you! I explain the process several times in the archives, but see if this can clear up some problems you are having: 240D stereo --how to connect new 4 speaker harness to existing ?

If not, do a search in the archives for my other postings, or you can feel free to email me, I'd be glad to try to help...

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Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

Hi,
I replaced my Becker Grand Prix 2000 for a Kenwood Excelon X711. The installation was easy! I cut away the black plug-in and connected the wires to the new stereo. I had the manual so I could see which wires I should connect. Here it comes for people not having the manual left:

brown = Chassis (-)
yellow/black = Switched plus
grey/pink = Illumination
red/white = Permanent plus

The lonely blue wire is for the power antenna.

I connected the rear speaker (RL+RR) to the German 2 pin type (which goes to the fader that splits the signal to 4 speakers). Someone in German did some serious thinking because the connection to the front speaker are also there, just beside the wires going to the fader. You don't need the run new wires to the front speakers! I simply disconnected the coupling and connected the FL+FR there. Be sure to test that you connect the correct wires to the correct speakers.

Good Luck!
/Patrik

__________________
Patrik Sjoblom....1993 MB 320 CE......Bought Jan 2001. Only 16.8 mpg
Stockholm.........Silvermetallic....DEFA immobilizer/alarm + Original larm
SWEDEN............17x7.5 ET35 wheels with 215/45-17 Kumho 712 ECSTA .