I am looking for the wire schematics, actually colors, so I can replace my radio and bypass the console fader and amps without running new wire to each speaker.

I did this with a 300E, yours is probably similar. This is a little complicated because there is only one set (L/R) of wires going from the head unit to the fader.

You've got lots of options here. The simplest is to use the existing speaker wires (the ones connected to the existing head unit) for the rear speakers and just leave the fader alone or in the rear position. For the front speakers, pull out the head unit and look at the wires behind it. You should see two wire connections surrounded by a cylinder of foam rubber, about 1" in diameter. These are L and R connections between the fader and the front speakers. (I can't remember the wire colors offhand, but I'll look them up if you need it.) You can pull these strange-looking connectors apart and test to find out which is left or right, using a meter or a 9V battery.

Using this technique, you'll have access to existing wires for all four speakers in the vicinity of the head unit. You'll either have to cut the connectors and splice the wires or find a wiring harness that matches those strage MB speaker connectors.

Hope that helps. BTW, there's a lot of useful info on this topic in the MB mailing list archives (http://www.mercedes.pair.com/archives/).

I can't remember the years off hand but I do know that many of the 126 cars had two factory amps behind the rear deat back rest and a two piece radio. If yours is this its pretty hard to wire because you have to take out the whole interior and run wires to the trunk. Know what you are getting into before you start!!

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Too late. I found the amps and bypassed the wiring to the rear speakers so they can be connected at the fader to the new radio. Front ones go back there too. I have a cd changer so I'm taking everything apart anyway to be neat. I like the ducts for the wiring.

Do you know why the speakers have electronic parts on them?

Yes, some are for high pitches only and some for low pitches only - the parts are filters.

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

hey anyone know the size of the rear speakers on 86 300sdl and how to get to them sorry just got mine and i think one of them is blown

i just ordered all four speakers for my 86 560SEL from the dealer for about $200. the front ones are $41 each and one of the rears was about $40 and the other rear one was about $70.

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R Martin
Dallas, TX (Addison)

86 560SEL, 128K