I'm trying to replace the becker grand prix 1432 in my '91 300e with and aftermarket cd player (JVC KD-SX980). Right now, about all I know how to do it take out the old head unit (thanks to JCE's article). Can anyone tell me how to go about doing this? Will the powered antenna still work after the install? I don't care about using the fader switch in the center console. Thank you very much!

BTW, my car has the Activ bass speakers on the sides of the driver and passenger doors

I've spent a late night answering my own questions tonight, but I only have a couple left.

My new head unit will have 4 amps, so if I bypass the fader switch as per JCE's following diagram, and connect the four wires individually to my head unit, will all six of my speakers still work?

Also, power and automattic antenna seem simple enough. But for the actual antenna i need to run a cable from the back correct?




Once, again thanks

Here is the proper diagram for your car. The fader control in your car doesn't connect to the speakers, it is a pre amp signal. You will need to run wires to the rear of your car to hook up not only your antenna but also your speakers.

Scott@lajollaaudio

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The Mercedes Specialists Since 1986

Here is the radio diagram

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The Mercedes Specialists Since 1986

Scott,

Thanks so much for the diagrams, but I'm having a trouble following them. For convienience sake, is it possible to just plug in the existing speaker wires that are connected to the becker to my new head unit rather than rewiring all six speakers directly? Thanks

It is really not that much more work to wire to the speakers. There are four channels only so you just need to run 4 pairs of wires to the trunk and tie in to all 4 at the amplifier outputs. This is the best way to do it so you can have a reliable system without having the old amps still hooked up. If you didn't have to already run the antenna coax to the rear I would understand you noot wanting to do all that work but it is the best long term reilable way to do it.

Scott@lajollaaudio

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The Mercedes Specialists Since 1986

Scott, you've been a tremendous help. Now all I need is for my new head unit to get here so I can install it!

So, from your posts and others I've read here's what needs to be done:

1. ground, ignition, illumination, power, and power antenna can all be hooked up from the from of the car.
2. run 4 speaker wires from the head unit to the amp in back
3. run an antenna wire from the head unit to the tuner in back

Am I correct in assuming that this setup completely bypasses the fader switch in the console? Also, are there any other wiring details I need to know about before I take the plunge? Thanks again, and I'll update here with how everything goes as soon as it gets done (flawlessly, hopefully).

-Pete

No except the power for the new deck is going to need a 15 to 20 amp circuit. I usually run a wire directly to the battery with an inline fuse holder at the battery and I use 12 to 14 guage wire. There is an easy grommet to go through behind the battery and if you remove the glove box liner it is an easy wire run. By the way the fader will be bypassed.

Scott

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The Mercedes Specialists Since 1986