Anti-theft problem

I have enjoyed reading everyone's wisdom so far, so I thought I would join this forum and dilute it a bit For reference, I own a 1993 190E 2.6L.

This morning my car radio worked like a champ. After lunch, when I cranked the car, the radio would not work anymore. The antenna did not extend either.

I turned it on and off a few times, to no avail. There was no display. I even pushed the volume knob just for laughs, and I got the pleasure of an intermittent beeping that was synchronized with the anti-theft light on the unit.

My first thought was fuse. I looked at the fuse box under the hood. The fuse that is associated with the radio is, I think, #12. However, several of the other functions (e.g. trunk light, vanity mirror lights, hazard lights, etc.) associated with this fuse worked fine.

The other fuse was something called "outside fuse box" that controlled, among other things, the anti-theft system. I don't know where this fuse box is, and am not really sure if this is the culprit either.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Also, from reading prior posts, please correct this statement if it is wrong: With my factory radio, all I need for a CD changer to work is the changer itself (Alpine CHMS630) and an adaptor (either Peripheral's MBZALP8 or PIE's MBZ/E-ALP).

Thanks!!
Kane

[SCLJA]

Does you cigarette socket work? This is on the same circuit that the radio's acc power is on. You have already said that the constant power to the radio seems to work ( Int lights etc...)

Scott@lajollaaudio

Scott,

Thanks for the reply. Funny thing -- this morning when I cranked up the radio worked fine. Maybe there is a reset or something after a certain period of time? If it happens again, I'll check the cigar lighter, though.

Did you happed to see my ancillary question on the previous post about the CD changer? Do I just need to changer and one of those adapters? I'm getting all kinds of responses from local audio shops.

Thanks so much for your help!

Kane

[SCLJA]

Yes, the pie adapter might be the best for you if you are planning to put the cd changer in the trunk. This adapter plugs into the already run factory becker data cable in the trunk so you don't have to run the alpine cable to the front of the car. The peripheral adapter plugs into the back of the radio and you have to run the alpine cable to the rear.

Good Luck!

Scott@lajollaaudio

Scott,

Thanks for the help with the CD changer!

Darn! Today the radio stopped working again, but the cigar lighter seems to be working fine. Any ideas here?

Thanks,
Kane

[SCLJA]

I would remove the radio and see if the movement of it or tapping on the chassis causes it to come and go(could be a solder joint problem) After talking to my repair manager he says that there are a lot of failures with the on-off switch in the volume control. If you have any questions reguarding a repair on your radio the number is 858-373-0596 and talk to Cleeve.

Scott@lajollaaudio

Thanks for the help. I'll try giving him a call.

Just in case this becomes too painful (e.g. entire head unit needs replacing), are there any other head units you would recommend that would work well and not clash too much with the interior of my car?

Thanks so much for all the help!

Kane