1985 1190E Radio problem - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 02-09-2003, 04:13 PM

In my 1985 190E, my radio will not play and is showing a straight bar across the digial screen. Someone told me that the radio needs to be reset because of theft deterrent lock out. Can someone help me? Thank You.
Elleigh

J.HIDALGO · #2 02-09-2003, 04:41 PM

Most of them will do it for free.
Check you other post.

Gilly · #3 02-09-2003, 05:01 PM

If the car is in "dashed line" mode, then the radio isn't original to the car, this was on later models, I believe 87 and 88, and even then I don't believe 190's had it.
Gilly

#4 02-09-2003, 05:08 PM

What do I do with the radio? It is dashed lines that appeared..
When I see your job title, I think we would like to become life long friends! We recently purchased two older Mercedes 1985 and 1988..and there are many small things that are making us crazy!!!! Thanks for your help!

Gilly · #5 02-09-2003, 05:14 PM

I'm not sure if it will be a permanant fix or not, but as mentioned by J.HIDALGO, the dealer is about the only place that can take it out of dashed line mode. There is a small tool which is inserted into the radio after removing the faceplate, this resets the radio.
I think your other post about the battery going dead may need to be attended to first, as the battery going dead is probably what is causing the dashed line mode.

Gilly

MTI · #6 02-09-2003, 09:39 PM

The radio (cassette player) that came with the '85 190E was a Becker Grand Prix that didn't have anti-theft codes.

190 Duo, what brand of radio are you dealing with?

#7 02-09-2003, 10:24 PM

MTI:
The radio-cassette is "Electronic Becker Grand Prix"...If it does not have anti-theft, do you have any ideas what the dashes would mean? I drive a considerable distance every day and my ride is much longer without a radio/cassette! I need a quick fix! Any ideas???? Y
ou must really know your 85's to have that knowledge about the radio! Thank You.

Gilly · #8 02-09-2003, 10:44 PM

My first post on this thread:

Quote:

If the car is in "dashed line" mode, then the radio isn't original to the car, this was on later models, I believe 87 and 88, and even then I don't believe 190's had it.

Gilly

#9 02-09-2003, 11:39 PM

We'll get tp the bottom of this! Gilly, thank you. All I know is that I want to get this fixed...do you suggest that it needs to go to a dealer to reset? Let you know the outcome.

Gilly · #10 02-10-2003, 06:40 AM

Yes, to get it out of dashed line mode it needs to go to the dealer, but again, I feel the car battery going dead needs to be addresses first, as this is what is causing the radio to lock up to begin with.

Gilly

MTI · #11 02-10-2003, 10:56 AM

I concur with Gillytech, the Becker has gone into "security" mode and I believe the dealer has to reset the radio, possibly by removing the faceplate to access the switch.

Gilly · #12 02-10-2003, 09:35 PM

Hi:
Just feel like clearing the air on my user name, I do this only once in awhile. My user name is "Gillybenztech". My nickname is Gilly, due to my last name of Gillitzer, had this nickname since grade school. So refer to me as Gilly, not Gillybenz or Gillytech, OK?

To reset the radio, ie take it out of the lockup or "dashed lines" mode, they will remove the radio faceplate with a hook tool. There is a connector with several sockets that the reset tool plugs into, the same connector the faceplate plugs in to. There are a couple buttons that are pressed to do the reset operation. Exactly which button is pressed and when depends on the year, so the person resetting it will have to try a couple different ways, unless they luck out and get it right the first time.

BUT, and I haven't heard any confirmation that you understand this, the REASON the radio is going into this mode is because the battery in the car is going dead, SO to avoid having to have the radio reset again in the near future, have the reason for the car battery going dead diagnosed and repaired.

Gilly

#13 02-10-2003, 10:33 PM

Gilly,
We did have the alternator and battery checked and told that they were okay. However, we intend to purchase a new battery anyway. We do not intent to have the radio reset until we are sure that the electrical system is operating perfectly. We are very glad to find out that the issue with the radio is 'security mode'.....Thank you so much for all of your help. We are new owners of the 190...actually we bought two! So you will probably be hearing from us a lot to access your expertise. We are going on vacation in two days and then we will be back at the cars again! Again, we appreciate your input.
Elleigh