Adding a Stereo to 1988 560SL

[97 SL320]

The MB dealer can pull the data card, this shows the radio code however the radio must be original to the car.

If you contact Becker you will need the model and serial # of the radio.

I write the number inside the cassette door or on the radio it self.

There are programs / sites on the net that will calculate radio codes from the serial #.

[Jack M]

Hi If your Becker has the tape player built in to it ,The easiest solution is to buy a cassette tape adapter. it looks like a cassette tape but has a wire coming out of it that can plug into your iPod or walkman style CD player. The player will plug into your cigarette lighter. and you off and running with no other Modifications. and then it all goes back into the glove box when your done and it all stays original.

[Dreamweaver]

Originally Posted by Jack M

Hi If your Becker has the tape player built in to it ,The easiest solution is to buy a cassette tape adapter. it looks like a cassette tape but has a wire coming out of it that can plug into your iPod or walkman style CD player. The player will plug into your cigarette lighter. and you off and running with no other Modifications. and then it all goes back into the glove box when your done and it all stays original.

EXCELLENT! Now that yo have brought it up I DO remember seeing this in a friend's car several years back. That is the perfect solution!

Now all I have to do is get the dang stereo code and I will be set.

[Dreamweaver]

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

The MB dealer can pull the data card, this shows the radio code however the radio must be original to the car.

If you contact Becker you will need the model and serial # of the radio.

I write the number inside the cassette door or on the radio it self.

There are programs / sites on the net that will calculate radio codes from the serial #.

Well, it's a Becker, and it only has 43k on the car, so I can only assume that it must be original. I contacted the dealer who sold me the car. He is somewhat of a 560 Guru and he said he would source it for me. Waiting for his return call. If not I will go the route of pulling the stereo and getting the serial number. Thank you,

[Jack M]

The dealer has a Little Kit that he uses to do it from the front seat not removing anything.
Had to do mine after I took it out to repair the tape deck the recommendation was to not reconnect the alarm wire because in 1986 this was a big deal in theft. Not so much today.

jack

[Dreamweaver]

OK - So, I have to remove the radio to get the code... Mercedes says just having the VIN# won't help.. the code is written on the back of the radio.

Anyone have a pdf or video source or a link on how to remove it? Also, I heard there is a special tool required???

[meltedpanda]

that is not true, unless the PO put the code there.

[Dreamweaver]

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

that is not true, unless the PO put the code there.

My bad. What it turns out is that I have to have the model / serial# information on the back of the radio to give the dealer so they can get me the code.

On removing the radio I did find this on youtube:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3OypoNW2tM

The quality of the video isn't that great, so not quite sure about the tabs on the left and right that need to be depressed... guess I will see when I open it up.

Comments or suggestions?

[rowdie]

Originally Posted by Dreamweaver

My bad. What it turns out is that I have to have the model / serial# information on the back of the radio to give the dealer so they can get me the code.

On removing the radio I did find this on youtube:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3OypoNW2tM

The quality of the video isn't that great, so not quite sure about the tabs on the left and right that need to be depressed... guess I will see when I open it up.

Comments or suggestions?

On the 560SL there is a small nut on the side toward the rear that you have to loosen. You need to remove the glove box liner to get to it. Really simple. There are four plastic rivets. Pry the center pin up and remove. Pull the light down and unhook the wires

[Rick76]

The video is of an early W124. Your 560SL will be similar with the 2 tabs that have to be pushed down but you need to remove the climate control panel as well as the ashtray to get to them. Once the ashtray is removed the climate panel will drop down and out.

This is a good time to check the wooden blocks that hold the pushbutton unit to make sure they are secure to the front panel.

There are websites that will provide you with free security codes. I'll PM you one that I tried.

[rowdie]

Originally Posted by Rick76

you need to remove the climate control panel as well as the ashtray to get to them.

I did not have to do that.

[Dreamweaver]

Originally Posted by rowdie

On the 560SL there is a small nut on the side toward the rear that you have to loosen. You need to remove the glove box liner to get to it. Really simple. There are four plastic rivets. Pry the center pin up and remove. Pull the light down and unhook the wires

Sorry - not following one portion of your post. You said...

"..... there is a small nut on the side.....

On the side of what?

Again, I apologize for my ignorance... not really a mechanical guy, but I think I can tackle this one.

thank you for the help.

[Dreamweaver]

Originally Posted by Rick76

The video is of an early W124. Your 560SL will be similar with the 2 tabs that have to be pushed down but you need to remove the climate control panel as well as the ashtray to get to them. Once the ashtray is removed the climate panel will drop down and out.

This is a good time to check the wooden blocks that hold the pushbutton unit to make sure they are secure to the front panel.

There are websites that will provide you with free security codes. I'll PM you one that I tried.

I found this one: www.radio-code.lt

So, my assumption is that if I remove the stereo and find the serial number, this site will give me the code I need.... is that how it works?

Thanks for the help.

[rowdie]

Originally Posted by Dreamweaver

Sorry - not following one portion of your post. You said...

"..... there is a small nut on the side.....

On the side of what?

Again, I apologize for my ignorance... not really a mechanical guy, but I think I can tackle this one.

thank you for the help.

There is a mount on the right rear side of the radio that slides into a bracket. You need to remove the glove box liner to access it. Remove the light assembly. Pry up on the centers of the 4 push rivets and remove the rivets. They are reusable.

[Dreamweaver]

Great - thank you