Hi

I've had the car for about 5 yrs now and suddenly when I was driving listening to the radio, the radio signal stopped working. When I looked at the radio display it says 'PHONE'. I tried to turn off/on the radio same thing. After awhile the radio would start to work but only for about 2 mins tops and went back to the 'PHONE' display.

Anyone have any idea how to get rid of this and get my radio to work?

94 E320
stock radio
no trunk mounted CD changer
cell phone never installed

It is probably the phone harness in the bottom of the left side pocket in the trunk getting wet (sitting in water shorting out) this cable has a 25 pin computer connection on it. Otherwise it is a problem internally in the radio.

Scott

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The Mercedes Specialists Since 1986

i'll take a look, thanks for a possible solution !

on the back of the radio there is a wire that when grounded will mute the radio and it will show phone. if you track this wire down and remove it off the back off the radio, then it should not be a factor..

Some cars it is yellow with a black stripe. not sure on yours.

The only way to test would be to eliminate the wiring that turns the radio on, power, ground, accessory, antenna, and speakers, and then check the remaining wires.

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

I have a '98 SLK230 with a similar problem. It says phone and wont respond to anything other than the off button. Sometimes it feels moody and will flash phone and the fade in/out still keeps any sound from reaching the speakers. Other days, it works with no problem. At stop the radio works. No engine lights/other problems.

I took the car to a car stereo shop and found a knowledgeable installer to work with this problem.

Following all of the other forum posts we followed the yellow/black wire that controls the phone and cut it. turns out it was already cut by PO trying to fix same problem.

Another post suggests to find the phone unit that has a coax connection and remove that unit from the car. Guess what... already gone.

There is a lime green/(white?) wire that according to the radio guys work computer is connected somehow to the vehicle speed. Because the problem presents with key in the "ON" position, in neutral position, while moving.... looks like a good place to start.

That was all the further we got our diagnoses.

I hope this helps in your case, i suggest following the steps that I took, as starting with the yellow wire is a very easy and common fix it seams.

If anyone has suggestions on mine, email and i will start new thread.

Thanks and good luck