The FM reception comes and goes on my 98 E320 equipped with the factory Becker 1692. When the FM reception is bad the stereo message is still displayed which tells me that it is not an antenna problem.

Because it is intermittant I am wondering if there is a bad connection or cold solder joint.

Could this be the sign of the FM tuner section going bad?

Are the FM tuner sections available seperately?

I don't have a problem dissecting the radio but would prefer to get opinions from members with experience with this problem before I get deep into it.

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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

Well after 2 years of living with the intermittent problem, I decided to have a look at the device which connects the two wires form the antenna in the rear window to the coax cable going to the radio (located behind the driver side rear piller). I believe that this a combination pre-amp/balun.

I first checked that the coax connection was not loose, then I unfastened the green case around the pre-amp/balun and found minor traces of flux on the circuit board. I scrapped the off the flux and hit the areas which had traces of flux with my soldering iron. Cleaned off the circuit board with circuit board cleaner and ressembled everything.

Now my stereo indicator works the way it should and the reception no longer fades in and out. I verified the stereo indicator by listening to a radio station around 65 miles from my home. While at home the signal is too week to pull in a stereo signal so the stereo indicator goes off and I receive the station in mono. As I drive towards work (in the direction to the radio station) the signal becomes stronger and I receive the station in stereo.

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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

The big question is whether the AM works. If the AM works your diagnosis is correct about the FM Tuner is bad...The FM Tuner section is available as a part but any good tech will resolder the circuit first to see if thats it...The part ordered from a parts source tends to be relatively expensive but certainly not anywhere close to repacing with same unit..The other alternative is to replace with aftermarket unit which will be considerably less than a factory replacement unit but will probably offer better performance...But you do have an issue with interface in your current system that is not actually being discussed at this time...I would remove the radio and have a qualified radio repair facility repair it...

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83 300CDTurbo 307,000
2005 Honda Element 266,000
56 Nash Ambassador Country Club Special 34,000(under restoration presently)

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/car-audio-multimedia/125099-123-install-extreme-dynamat.html