W210 Radio Problem
 

99 E300 TD

AM radio...almost no stations come in

FM radio...not as good as it should be...constantly losing stations

Does this car have an antenna in the rear window?

Has anyone had this problem?

Mike

99 E300 TD
95 E300D
83 300SD

My '96 has the antenna in the rear window, yours should be the same. Perhaps a connection has come undone. I do not know where that connection is, sorry.

There is also an antenna amplifier. It is known both for bad grounds causing problems as well as failing. I would start there, but I haven't located mine so I can't tell you exactly where it is. I believe that it is on the left-side C pillar.

96's have a antenna mast....your antenna is the rear window... the connection is in the driver side c-pillar...By any chance do you have a tint? I would first check to make sure the antenna cable has not come loose from the rear of the unit.

Oh my God. I have the exact same prob and just chaulked it up to one of those things I have to live with. I didn't think it was worth posting here, but now that it is brought up, I need help too. I have the 99 E300 also. What is the "left side C - piller"? Matt, my FM is fine and the AM is pure static. I believe it is a grouding problem too. But I don't know where to look.

Ok. I googled C-Pillar. Now that i know what it is, how do I get into it to check the antenna connection?

mikemass

Hopefully I will have the time this week to access the C-pillar. I will let you know how it went.

My service manual says I have to remove the rear seat bottom and the rear seat back.

Mike

99 E300 TD
95 E300D
83 300SD

I got it. just started gently pulling on the fabric covered panel on the inside of the car on the driver side c-pillar. There's about 3 or 4 clips that hold it on. One of the wires was crimped. I suppose it was the antenna wire, because as soon as I jiggled it a bit, my AM kicked right in. Now getting that piece back on is a bit trickier. There are 4 slotted protrusions at the bottom of the panel that need to fit into slots before you clip everything back. You'll understand once you get in there.

Did you have to remove the rear seat?

Mike

99 E300 TD
95 E300D
83 300SD

No. Just the panel where the rear seat belt winds into.

I have a 96 e300d and there does seem to be an antenna on the driver's side trunk deck.That is not the radio antenna? I've been looking for a fuse to make it work
Tom

That would be the antenna, only newer cars had rear glass antenna.

I don't know what fuse powers this up.