I'm a moron - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Snibble · #1 02-27-2003, 08:57 PM

So I ordered a replacement motor antenna for the messed up one I have. I proceeded to splice wires to get the new one to work and then next thing I know, i hear a fuse go off. Turns out the radio fuse (#15) blew. I replaced it. Now my radio won't turn on. The on/off button also feels "looser" than before. I think I was supposed to disconect the car battery... but I am not sure. That probably is why I screwed up. So I get all pi$$ed... so I take the entire project, go to Best Buy.. pay the dude $40 to install the antenna, but says he can't check to see if it works because the radio won't turn on. He tells me to get it fixed or replaced and come back so he can see if the antenna works.

Now.. is there any way I can fix this? Its the original stock P.O.S... but I was getting used to it. I paid $50 for the antenna.. $40 for instalation of antenna... and now my radio goes kaboom. Need help.. is this fixable or do i need to replace it?

SCLJA · #2 02-27-2003, 09:57 PM

There is probably a blown fuse in the back of the radio. Pull it out and you should find a clear plastic cover below the power plug and it will have a mini silicon filled 5 amp fuse in it. You can use a standard mini glass fuse and can find them at radio shack.

Scott

Snibble · #3 02-28-2003, 04:27 PM

I pulled the radio out today but don';t know where the fuse is at. Can anyone please help me? I have had a bad week.... grrrrrrrr

I appreciate any help in this matter.

goldstone · #4 02-28-2003, 05:36 PM

Snibble,

If memory serves me, the fuse is on the back of the Becker head unit, all the way to the left. You will see a rectangular translucent plastic piece that, when pulled out, actually serves as a holder for the fuse Scott mentioned above.

If he's right (and isn't he always?!), it'll be an easy fix.

And hey, I've read a lot of your often helpful past posts. If you're a "moron", as you put it, then what does that make the rest of us???

Regards (and good luck)

Snibble · #5 02-28-2003, 08:17 PM

wait...

is it in the back of the whole radio.. where the plugs are? or in the back of the front cover.. inside the radio? I did a quick glance of the back where the plugs are and didn't see anything that looked like a fuse to me.

Snibble · #6 02-28-2003, 08:39 PM

ahhh.. ok I finally understood where the fuse was. I found the clear plastic holder, popped it out and the fuse was intact. It looked fine. The #15 fuse is also good. Now I am really screwed I believe. Does this mean that my radio is now totally kaput? Can anyone help? Do I need to get an aftermarket radio/cd or what? Any advice is appreciated. I was happy with it bein stock.

Also, if my radio *is* kaput... anyone have a spare they mind selling to me? I would like it operational.. as in am/fm and cassette all work.

goldstone · #7 02-28-2003, 08:40 PM

Pull the unit out completely and look again. Unless I'm mistaken, you'll find that fuse waiting for you on the rear of the radio (NOT behind the faceplate!)

goldstone · #8 02-28-2003, 08:47 PM

Recheck your fuses under the hood. You mentioned fuse #15. On my '89 420SEL, the radio is on fuse #2. Could be they're just different configurations, but before you invest (or should I say "speculate") on a new stock Becker head unit, it makes sense to double check the fusebox.

If you're really sure you need a new head unit, and it absolutely, positively HAS to be stock, then check eBay where they go for around $50.

zla39fj · #9 02-28-2003, 09:26 PM

snibble
The funny thing about fuses is that once in a while they look fine but are actually blown. If you have a multimeter you can check for resistance (there should not be any, it should read as a short).

Snibble · #10 02-28-2003, 09:46 PM

Alrighty...

Tomorrow, I will go back and remove the fuse in the radio and replacing it with a new one. Then I will go to the dealership tomorrow and replace all the fuses in the fuse box for peace of mind. hopefully that would take care of the problem.

SCLJA · #11 02-28-2003, 11:49 PM

When you looked at the fuse in the back of the radio was it silicon filled? If it was then it is impossible to tell if it is blown without metering it. The other thing you can do for test purposes is to run awire across it and turn it on to see if it works. Remember you only need constant power on your radio for it to work. The radio should power up without the key on if you manually turn it on. The fuse should be #2 in your fuse box. I believe it is the fuse in the back of the radio as you are not experiencing any other electrical failures!

Scott@lajollaaudio

Snibble · #12 03-01-2003, 01:07 AM

Interesting.. I thought since its a glass fuse, it would have to shatter if it gets shorted. Since I have no way of metering it.. I will just go to radio shack, buy a new one and replace it. Hopefully that will be it. Thanks Scott for the help!

I will see what happens tomorrow.

The Godfather · #13 03-01-2003, 04:39 PM

Why do people worry so much about the POS becker that comes standard

Sorry, "Bass" and "treble" settings are not enough for me

Snibble, it's a sign from above to tell you to get a new and REAL radio!

The sound difference will be incredible! Trust me

Snibble · #14 03-02-2003, 12:43 PM

update:

So I go to Radio Shack and buy a pack of 4 fuses for the radio. Turns out the one in the radio was blown. I put a new one in and that one blew at once. So I put another one in and that one was fine. Radio worked again. I drive back to Best Buy to have the instalation done again and the guy says the radio still doesn't work. I looked at the fust and it was blown again. Eventually all 4 fuses blew and I had it and decided to go back home. Can anyone tell me anything on why the fuse keeps blowing? The radio is off when I put the fuses in.

SCLJA · #15 03-02-2003, 12:57 PM

Since the antenna wire was shorted there might be a internal short in the radio.

Scott