I had speakers left side (F&R), but lost front, so now I only have left rear speaker working. I'm guessing the fader....but open to other suggestions.

Are the faders all the same for W126 (I have a '90 350SDL)? I see one on eBay for 420SEL, but look up table says "not compatible....anyone know if the table is simply wrong (or simply leaves the 350SDL out)?

Thanks,

PK

Do you have the original head unit or something newer?
Most people just bypass the fader and let the newer head unit
control that function.

Jeff

__________________
1984 300SD 300,000 miles--two tank WVO setup
2.88 diff & 500SEL anti-squat rear end

They're the same to '87 or '88 then MB went to a split system with the controls in the dash and the tuner and amps in the trunk. The fader for the later system is not interchangeable with the early fader. The fader from a similar vintage W123 (280E, 300D/CD/TD) is functionally compatible but I don't know if it fits the W126 console and socket.

Sixto
87 300D

Yeah, original head (Becker) unit.

Sixto- I believe this has amp behind the rear seat.....

I don't know why I thought you have an 86-87 SDL when you said 90 SDL. Don't trust eBay application guides for everything, particularly low volume cars like the 350SDL. Amazon's application guide says the '87 300D doesn't use the same front brake pads as the '87 300E, which it does.

Later 126s have separate left and right amps but IIRC it's the same amp twice. Sounds like you need at least one. I suppose it could be a bad fader but by design the signal passes through 'unfaded' with the thumbwheel in the middle position so it wouldn't be the first thing to suspect when you lose signal to a speaker.

Are there self-serve wrecking yards where you are where you can get a bucket of amps and faders for $10? Check the parts forum for late 126s being parted.

Sixto
87 300D

There are 3 different consoles... the Gen1 from 80-85, the early Gen2 from 86-90, then the latest version for cars that have the brake shift interlock.

Your car also has 2 amps behind the rear seat. Small black boxes. Each amp drives the speakers on that side of the car.

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.