How to replace your Becker 1492 radio
 

If you have a Becker 1492 radio and are ready to replace it with an aftermarket unit and do not want to cut the Mercedes harness, please read this. I have been learning from this forum for several years now and it's time to give back!!

How can you tell which Becker you have? Remove the radio (reference removal tools below) and the model is on the right side of the radio body. Or just google 'Becker 1492' images.

First, information about replacing the 1492 is out there, but it is fragmented at best. Also, none of the wire color that I found exactly matched my harness so we will approach this from the view of the connecter instead. I suspect that the 1492 was installed in multiple Mercedes models and that the wire harness colors change between models and/or chassis. Therefore I'm hoping we can say that the connectors of the 1492 do not change and whatever color wire is used does not matter so much.

I did this on my 1995 E300D and there were 4 connections to my 1492.

1. Antenna
2. Code lock ground strap - make sure you know the code or really do not want the Becker before proceeding
3. Top Amphenol connector 5 x 2 (AMP 963 690 1)
4. Bottom Amphenol connector 4 x 4 (AMP 983 859 1)

Here's what I did:

You'll want to pickup a set of the Becker radio removal tools. Easy to find on ebay (could not find them on Peach Parts). The tools fit into the 2 narrow horizontal slits at the bottom corners. Pull the radio out and disconnect.

1. Antenna: Scosche model UAA universal antenna adapter - the connector labeled 'VW' fits. $9 at Walmart. I cut off all of the other adapters and taped off the ends. You may be able to find a single adapter.
2. Ground strap: There is one connector that has a tab on it. When you remove the radio, the tab should cause the ground strap to pull off. If you want to use the Becker again, you'll need to know the security code for the radio.
3. Top 5 x 2 connector: Not sure what it does, but none of the connections are needed for most aftermarket units.
4. Bottom AMP connector: This is the main connector you will need to adapt to your aftermarket unit's harness.

Unfortunetely I have struck out trying to locate a male connector for the AMP 983 859 1. I checked with Becker, the tyco/amphenol site, Schosche, PIE.net, Metra, etc. If someone has found one, please post where and what you found. Thanks!

OK, first you want to get at least a dozen 0.250 male wire disconnects (see picture below). Look at the back of the 1492 and look at the width of the connector you are going to duplicate. They are about 3-4 mm wide so you'll need to trim about 1 mm off the width (see the before and after pictures below). These need to fit into the AMP connector.

Attachment 88590
Next you want to get the orientation of the AMP connector correct. Please reference the above sketch/picture. With the locking tabs on the right, look closely at the front of the connecter and you will see the little numbers for each connection upside down. I am calling the bottom row 'A' and the top row 'B'.

Crimp the modified male wire disconnects onto the aftermarket head units wire harness for the connections listed below. Refer to the below list for the pin out.

Pin Function
A1 Unknown
A2 Empty
A3 Unknown
A4 12V-constant
A5 Antenna
A6 Unknown
A7 12-switched
A8 Ground

B1 (+) Right Rear
B2 (-) Right Rear
B3 (+) Right Front
B4 (-) Right Front
B5 (+) Left Front
B6 (-) Left Front
B7 (+) Left Rear
B8 (-) Left Rear

Here are some pics of the wire disconnects installed

Attachment 88591

Make sure you wrap the connector with some electrical tape to prevent the wire disconnects from being pulled out.

Attachment 88592

Here's a picture of my final install. I like the Sony MEXBT3800 for it's bluetooth, remote mic and aux input. Sounds great!

Attachment 88593

I hope this helps someone.

Nice detective work,Thanks!
 

Simple ,effective.

Thanks for this writeup, helped me out a lot.

I did find a perfect harness for this type of install. My car is the same as yours' E300D with the becker 1492. Found a harness at Fry's Electronics.
On package is Metra, Turbowire. 70-1786. Says is for Mercedes 94-04 and Land Rover 99-04.
The wire locations and their usage exactly match the factory Mercedes harness.

Excellent, thanks!
 

Thanks Jayb. That is awesome. I'll have to pick one up myself for the next time I have an hour to blow on changing out the wiring!

Thanks for the post. I am in the middle of doing almost the same install (MEX BT2800) on my 95 E320 and have a different question. Does the sleeve fit into your dash or do you have to modify the black plastic guide. The sleeve that came with my radio is too big to fit the opening.

I just bought a 1995 E300D and have a head unit sitting around with an AUX-IN. I was planning on buying a stereo wiring harness and dropping it in but everyone over at (another popular MB forum I won't name) said that aftermarket units wouldn't play with the audio system? Have you had any problems with this? Thanks for the write up, before I read this I was going to buy the Grom AUX-in adapter instead of swapping in the newer head unit.

Sleeve fit on mine, but was super tight. Which you'd want, of course.
But yea, took a lot of wedging to get it in there. That's what she said.

Mine plays fine, pretty sure kickit just hooked his up to existing too.
I'm not happy with my sound, but it's no worse than it was before the new head unit. I'm going to replace everything, speakers and all, but that is going to wait till I get the remote door unlocker installed. Priorities...

Nope. The Sony model I used just worked fine. The antennae works and all of the speakers worked. One of my front speakers was blown so I replaced both, but that had nothing to do with the new head unit.

You are correct, I did have to trim a little off the corners of the black plastic guide. I just used a box knife as the plastic is pretty soft.

I just installed a Kenwood into a '95 E320. As was said the sleeve was too large.
I didn't want to go butchering the plastic so i just installed the radio without a sleeve. It wasn't tight but it wasn't loose either. I'll see how it goes and if it doesn't stay put I'll have to do something to make the sleeve fit.