Radio will not recode - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Gilly · #16 03-17-2004, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Gilly
The car is a 1991 mercedes 190E 2.6 5-SPEED. Although the radio in the car is a mercedes radio, it was a replacement along the way by the privious owner. BTW, the radio was in working order prior to the body shop disconnecting the battery. Thanks in advance for everyones' help/comedy ! ! ! hehehe

THAT'S how!!!!

Gilly

E DREAM · #17 03-17-2004, 04:57 PM

I am going to disconnect the battery one more time in hopes of resetting the radio. How long should I leave it disconnected ?

Gilly · #18 03-17-2004, 05:52 PM

I don't believe disconnecting the radio will help anything. Even if it's in the "wait" or "hold" mode. Let us know if this takes it out of the wait or hold mode, I'd be interested in knowing. But even if it does, it will still be at least in "code" mode, so you need to find the code. When the previous owner installed the radio, it also would have needed the code. I suggest really scrutinizing any paperwork found in the car, or with the sales documents to see if he wrote the number down somewhere, or maybe a friendly phone call to the guy. At some point he HAD to know it. It possibly could be written on the radio chassis somewhere also, although NOT from the factory! Also, if a VMI has been done, if you remove the radio, cross-check the actual number on the chassis with what is on VMI.

Gilly

Gilly · #19 03-17-2004, 05:57 PM

PS
On the 1990 radio, it is a 5 digit code. It's important to note that the radio should "beep" when the 5th digit is entered. If it "beeps" earlier than that, you need to STOP entering numbers when it beeps. Start entering the numbers, from the beginning, after the radio beeps. If it still beeps before the 5th digit, there is something wrong with the unit.
MB doesn't state in the recoding guide if the radio goes into a "wait" mode or not, they do refer to a time period of 1 hour with the radio on if the unit still displays "code". I am only vaguely familiar with this radio as it was only used for 1 year.

Gilly

Gilly · #20 03-17-2004, 05:59 PM

PPS:
WHY did you question how the car got a 1990 radio in it, when you said yourself the previous owner changed the radio? Isn't this a bit of a no-brainer???

Gilly

Jackd · #21 03-17-2004, 06:56 PM

According to my owners's manual, (a Canadian car, but it should not be different)
If you enter a wrong code, you have to wait 5 minutes before your second try.
If the second try fails, you need to wait an hour before trying again.
Jackd

E DREAM · #22 03-17-2004, 08:27 PM

here's what the manual says that came with the car for this radio:
1) turn key to position one
2) radio will display the "code"
3) enter first digit of 5 digit code
4) the word "code" should disapear from display
5) enter remaining 4 numbers from code
6) radio will beep, then play first preset station

I have tried all of this several times AFTER removing radio from car, getting serial number off the back of the radio, going to dealer with serial number and VIN, two different dealers came up with the same code number for the serial number I gave them. Here's what happens when I try the steps outlined above:
1) I turn key to position one
2) My radio displays the word "code"
3) I enter first digit of the code ( the word "code" remains on the display)
4) I enter the remaining numbers ( the word "code" remains on the display)
5) The radio beeps after the last number is entered ( the word "code" remains on the display ) radio does NOT go to radio station, radio does not play music, when I turn the volume knob I hear some static in the background but bearly audible, the word "code" remains on the display

Gilly · #23 03-17-2004, 09:08 PM

If the radio serial number matches what is on the computer display at the dealership (the "VMI" report), then you're in deep doo-doo. Did they give you a copy of the VMI, or just going by word of mouth at the dealer?
If you are going by word of mouth, you can try talking to someone at MB about it. Be sure you know, with your own eyes, what the correct serial number is on the radio, no guessing or hoping it's right.
Call MB at the 1 800 FOR MERCedes number.
If the radio serial number matches what they have on VMI, you need to ask them if the warranty department can research the radio code, as you have verified the serial number on VMI is correct, but the radio won't accept the code. Sometimes MB gets the wrong info on the radio from the radio manufacturer, but they can usually go back to them and they will straighten it out.
I would still insist that the previous owner may be able to help. Have you looked through the papers in the car yet?

Gilly

E DREAM · #24 03-17-2004, 09:49 PM

I called the guy who I bought the car from ( a dealer in New Jersey ) two weeks ago. The previous owner cannot be located.

dkveuro · #25 03-19-2004, 07:03 PM

Most Becker electronic radios are programmed to display 'WAIT" after more than 3 code attempts..Radio will have to be left 'on' with 'WAIT' flashing on display for 24 hours to get display to read CODE and then you can input numbers....Just did a 1991 420 this way. It too had radio replaced by PO.
dk

Gilly · #26 03-19-2004, 07:13 PM

The S Class used a Becker radio, this 190 has a Alpine. The instructions for the 1990 Alpine is real vague about the whole "wait" thing, whether it's displayed or not. Here is what it says in my recoding guide:

If Unsuccessful:
5. Enter anti-theft code a second time. If the radio beeps before the the fifth digit is entered, STOP IMMEDIATELY. Re-enter the complete code once again, starting with the first digit. Radio must beep when the fifth digit is entered.

6. If the radio still displays "CODE" on panel. leave radio ON for ONE HOUR.

7. Carefully re-enter five digit anti-theft code. Radio will resume operation.

So like I said, it never says anything about a "wait" display on the panel, it sounds like if you end up entering the code 3 times (a total of 3 "beeps"), that you're "in the naughty chair" for an hour.

Gilly

dkveuro · #27 03-19-2004, 08:15 PM

Whilst doing this radio thingy with the Becker I searched Google. There are companies that will recode, set codes, decode and supply codes for nearly all factory radios out there.....
Don't have results of my search on hand so you'll have to do the search yourself. Of course, they charge a small fee for this service.

natch'........

E DREAM · #28 03-19-2004, 09:06 PM

gonna try the one hour thing this weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed (eyes are already crossed)

Gilly · #29 03-19-2004, 09:27 PM

After you wait an hour, then try it, very carefully. If it beeps on the 5th digit, but still displays "CODE" and no music, just stop there, OK? It doesn't do any good to keep entering the wrong code. You'll need to call MB and have the warranty dept research your radio code, but you'll NEED to remove the radio to recheck the serial number.

Gilly

E DREAM · #30 03-21-2004, 05:20 PM

OK, turned it on, waited one hour, then entered the number. Radio beeped after the fifth number was entered. The word "code is still on the display sceen and no music