Hi Folks, sorry if this has been asked 100 times. I searched the archives and can't find what I'm looking for, although it seems to be clear that very few like the OEM stereo equipment. I have a factory 10-CD stereo/cassette unit in my '91 300E. My drivers dash speaker doesn't work most of the time. If I really crank up the sound it will finally come on and then I can back if off and have sound all the way around. Sadly, that speaker has a big impact on the overall sound. Anyway, I can also fidget (apply vertical pressure) to the fader switch and sometimes get some kind of response..although wheeling it back and forth doesn't do anything. Yesterday I had the console out while putting in a car kit and pulled the fader switch out and apart and scrubbed it down with alcohol and reassembled. Now I can't get the speaker to come on at all, no matter what I do. Just wanted an opinion. The dealer has a facer wheel in stock..if I'm willing to part with the $100. But, it just seems like such a huge possibility that I will just end up out the money with no problem resolution. Can anyone tell me what it means if you can get intermitent speaker sound and can ony "activate" it but turning the sound way up until it comes on? Am happy to replace the speaker, just wanted an idea before I start dropping bucks.

Thanx in advacne,

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Scott

'91 300E 91k
Pearl Black/Gray
Euros/clear corners
94/95 tails
AMG style wheels

'72 280 SEL 4.5 247k
Navy over Silver

I would look at the wiring to the speaker. thats where the problem will be, somewhere in its connection.

You might want to pull the speaker and check to see if the wiring is loose. it also might be a good idea to check behind the radio to see if anything there is loose.

If the car has a factory amp, then the problem could be at the amp. I'm not sure where the amp if you car has one, is located.

Alon

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'92 300CE
Metallic Black (Blue Flaked) on Parchment
Clear Corners
94-95 Tail-Lights
Debadged
Black Grille Insert
78.5k Miles

Future Upgrades:
Sportline Suspension
17" AMG Monoblocks or EVO II's
Euro Headlights
Performance Chip
AMG Exhaust

Click here to Go To My 300CE Page

Thanx Ashman,

I tried pulling the grille off the speaker today but chickened out thinking I was going to break it at any moment. I'll give it another whirl and see what happens. At least the speaker did come back today.



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Scott

'91 300E 91k
Pearl Black/Gray
Euros/clear corners
94/95 tails
AMG style wheels

'72 280 SEL 4.5 247k
Navy over Silver

I don't know if this will help you any, but I just got done last week installing some MB Quart speakers in the front of my 86 300E. I worked with a thin (jewelers) screwdriver and a putty knife on my speaker trims. What I did was to use the jewelers screwdriver and place it under the front lip of the trim and push a little bit and make it bow. This will unhook the front clip. Then I used the putty knife and wedged it under the sides of the trim until I got it off. I kept thinking I was gonna break mine, but I didn't. Hope this helps you some.

Also, I meant to add that when I pulled out the factory speakers, I found a plug-in about 12-15" from the speaker. Maybe yours has a bad connection there.
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Ron Miller
1986 300E

[This message has been edited by Ron Miller (edited 11-19-2000).]

Thanx Ron, I will muster whatever and get out there again. I have a small driver, just need to find a 2" putty knife. My guess is that you were using a fairly small one. Did you put something against the dash to keep from scaring where you were using it as a fulcrum? Also, tell me about where you got the speakers and how much of an improvement it was.

Thanx,

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Scott

'91 300E 91k
Pearl Black/Gray
Euros/clear corners
94/95 tails
AMG style wheels

'72 280 SEL 4.5 247k
Navy over Silver

I used a 1" wide putty knife and did not use anything to protect the dash, as the blade was wide enough to spread out the pressure. The trims fit pretty snug, I remember finally telling myself I am either gonna break the trim and just buy a new one, or it is gonna come, and it finally came.

My 86 has a weird sized speaker in the front, not 4" and not 5 1/4". I searched for about a month and just did not find anything to drop in. I finally just gave up and bought a pair of MB Quart DKC 110 speakers from ebay. I got a brand new pair fairly cheap ($66.00). I did have to modify the mounting though, as a 4" speaker will literally fall through the dash hole. I used the MB Quart mounting ring, but used a bench grinder and ground some off of the outside, and then ground where the grill cover snapped in so that would be flush. I ended up with a nice large plastic washer. I then used new screwholes and just directly screwed the speakers right to the "washer". I couldn't use the speed clips on the part I made because it would then keep the speaker from fitting down in the hole properly. I then just fou a few dabs of silicone on the washer itself and carefully put it in the hole. the silicone will hold firm, but you can still get that plate out if you ever need to.

All in all, I think most 4" will fit with some modification to the mount. The sound improvement was significant. Now that I have done it, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again on another vehicle. I also installed a Nakamichi cd45z head unit in last week also.

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Ron Miller
1986 300E

Thanx again Ron,

The great thing about breaking stuff is that then you get to see how you should have done it...or something. Busted it to pieces pulling on the grille before getting the 1/2" strip up. Its frustrating to be dumb. Anyway, my speaker measures 4 13/16 OD with a part# of 124 820 11 02. I'm gonna submit it to the Partshop and see what I come up with. Have a feeling, with the 3 clips that snug it in place, that there won't be anyway to find a no-mess replacement and will have to go down the "mod" road like you did. There appears to be rust accumulating at all of the solder joints, unless that is something that was there from the beginning by design and I just don't know what it is. Also, my connection is only 4-5 inches down the wire. It is an interesting post/slot combo. Anyway, just wondered if yours was the same speaker. If so, I won't bother trying to duplicate your search.

Thanx,

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Scott

'91 300E 91k
Pearl Black/Gray
Euros/clear corners
94/95 tails
AMG style wheels

'72 280 SEL 4.5 247k
Navy over Silver

Scott.......... I sent you an e-mail. I believe we have the same speakers by your measurements. And same mounting system. My old speakers aren't handy right now, or I would look at the part number and see. Any more questions, I will be happy to try to answer.

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Ron Miller
1986 300E

Ron,

Just one more, I promise. Hope you got your project done and you are in tune-heaven. Did it ever ocurr to you to pry the old speaker out of the mounting hardware and insert the new, or was it readily aparent that this just wouldn't work?

Thanx again,

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Scott

'91 300E 91k
Pearl Black/Gray
Euros/clear corners
94/95 tails
AMG style wheels

'72 280 SEL 4.5 247k
Navy over Silver

I didn't see any way I could do that, just too much size difference. I had another guy tell me how he did his speakers, which were a different brand and I just followed what he did and it worked for me too.

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Ron Miller
1986 300E

There has to be a FAQ for this. My car, 94 E420, also has this problem and I've also read at least 3-4 other posts on this topic.

Is it the connection? Faulty speaker? Amp? Fader? What? Surely, not all problems will have the same answer but it seems like enough people are having problems that there ought to be a common cause?

I took the speaker out on mine. Examined it but I coulnd't see any loose connection. People have suggested that changing the speaker would help. Does that mean that the speaker is at fault?

Thanks

Hey wyoo,

I had given up on changing out the fader control because the dealership wanted $92, but the Partshop only asked $31 so I order it. Just waiting for delivery. I can't find anything wrong with the speaker or the connection. After I replace the switch I will let you know if it makes a difference. Must admit I'm fairly cynical at this point, but it was cheap enuf to take the chance.

Thanx,


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Scott

'91 300E 91k
Pearl Black/Gray
Euros/clear corners
94/95 tails
AMG style wheels

'72 280 SEL 4.5 247k
Navy over Silver

Thanks, any update would be very helpful. By fader switch, do you mean the knob on the stereo that controls the volumn?

Yup. That's what i'm talking about. It didn't come in today. When I get it installed i'll let you know if it works.



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Scott

'91 300E 91k
Pearl Black/Gray
Euros/clear corners
94/95 tails
AMG style wheels

'72 280 SEL 4.5 247k
Navy over Silver

Sorry ywoo,

I didn't read your post carefully enuf. The fader control is the wheel on the console that balances sound front/back. I installed it tonight, and at least for the time being, it seems to have fixed the problem. Don't know that everything still works tomorrow, but right now, she's jammin' like she should. Thanx for everybody's help.

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Scott

'66 250 SE Coupe, european
Black
Power sunroof
4-speed