I had a 190E that doesn't have the antennae switch in the dash for controlling it. I guess, on the late ones they deleted this? Anyway, the antennae only goes up a short distance. My question is that the way it is supposed to work or should it go all the way up beings it doesn't have the dash antennae switch? Any help would be appreciated.

What year is the car? I think this thread may answer your question: http://bit.ly/wUa34y.

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327K on 1986 W201, 602.911, 722.414 2.5 190D ("The Red Baron")
139K on 1993 W124, 104.942, 722.433 2.8 300E ("Queen")

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/...0bb92d3c_m.jpg http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...g?t=1325284354

Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.
- Albert Einstein

take a walk down memory lane...

Thanks for the reply on this. I am dealing with a '91 model. They thread you posted there pretty much confirms the one position for the radio on antennae. I must have some kind of issue with the antennae, I suppose. I believe it should extend all the way with no variable switch. Not being the original owner, I wasn't sure how it worked.

Probably jammed. We have found many of those units in perfect working condition in junkyards around here.

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327K on 1986 W201, 602.911, 722.414 2.5 190D ("The Red Baron")
139K on 1993 W124, 104.942, 722.433 2.8 300E ("Queen")

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/...0bb92d3c_m.jpg http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...g?t=1325284354

Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.
- Albert Einstein

take a walk down memory lane...

When it comes up just so far, try dripping some light oil around the antenna itself so it can work its way down into the telescoping parts.

On my '84, I have to lube the antenna often, especially in winter.

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My first Mercedes Benz. 4/6/07.

1984 190E (201 024) 2.3L four.

I was just doing some maintenance on the car, and the radio system has been on the list for since I bought it awhile back. I got the radio out yesterday, and now I see the awful hack job. If people could see how they destroy the wiring, I wonder if they would drive away so happy after paying the bill for a new HD etc.,lol. I have the radio modular original now, and need to finish the harness today. Then I need to tackle the antennae, and try to get in fully operational. I am thinking I my need to re-new the mast. I sure appreciate your response on this issue!

Just get the whole assembly, mast motor, gasket at the junkyard.

__________________
327K on 1986 W201, 602.911, 722.414 2.5 190D ("The Red Baron")
139K on 1993 W124, 104.942, 722.433 2.8 300E ("Queen")

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/...0bb92d3c_m.jpg http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...g?t=1325284354

Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.
- Albert Einstein

take a walk down memory lane...

I would definitely go the junk yard way, but it is a very rare occasion any would have anything. When you would possibly find something you need, an owner told me, "there is nothing on it less than a 50 dollar amount." Discouragement can kind of take over!

Well got the radio work all done today. It is so much better now. I have all six speakers, and the sound is balanced. There is so little room to work between the console area. I totally cleaned the radio works, and the potentiometer. It has good power now. I kind of like the original alpine. It is a basic am, fm, cassette, and now I can play an ipod, as well. I could have went with a new HU, but I don't like the smaller controls, as well. The po had a kicker installed in it, and pulled it out when he traded it off. It only had one working speaker, after that excursion. I bought a new soldering gun for the work, so it got some good use with the heat shrink.

Excellent. So you sent the units to Beckerautosound? Did you get your antenna issue resolved?

I may be sending my 1432 to be repaired and will get the aux input option as well.

__________________
327K on 1986 W201, 602.911, 722.414 2.5 190D ("The Red Baron")
139K on 1993 W124, 104.942, 722.433 2.8 300E ("Queen")

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/...0bb92d3c_m.jpg http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...g?t=1325284354

Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.
- Albert Einstein

take a walk down memory lane...

No, I didn't send my radio to Becker. I have the Alpine 2100 series in mine. I did the work on the radio. I got some WD-40 on sale at the auto shop yesterday for 3.99. I decided to give the antennae the treatment like a post suggested. I will give it a chance to work before getting a new mast ordered. It now goes out about 24", I guess? I replaced one in a '87 190E I purchased about 10 years ago. It only had 30K on it, and the antennae was broke. It had only one position, and that was down!!

I got around to trying to pull the antennae mast out today. I couldn't get it to totally unscrew. So, I took out the power antennae, and then removed the antennae mast. I still couldn't get it to extend all the way. It looks like there should be two more extensions, but they wouldn't budge. I am now waiting for a new one I ordered & a new antennae grommet. Will see what the new one projects like.

I finally got all the pieces to put the antennae back in. I didn't realize the plastic grommet was separate on the outside. So, I had to wait a week to get it. It compresses on to the rubber grommet through the fender. Well, I now have an antennae, that extends 4 sections out. It works nice and smooth. I ended taking the antennae completely apart to install the mast. They get kind of gunky inside, after so many years. I left the old one in the garage with some liquid to free it up all the while getting new parts. I tried it again, and it still wouldn't budge. I don't know what happened to it, but that antennae is not going to ease out anymore. I am hoping I will get better reception in some areas now!