E320 and MC3198 CD changer problems

[jeffm]

I got a new-to-me Mercedes MC3198 (A 002 820 7989) 6 disc changer over the holidays. Plugged it in and the head unit recognises it, but reports
"no cartridge". Also can't eject the cartridge that is
currently inside it.

this is the 2nd unit that I have had this problem with it, which leads me to believe that either this is an incorrect application for my car (99 E320) or that something is wrong with the wiring or my head unit.

anyone ever experience anything like this or have a clue where to start investigating this? Anyone have the pinouts for the power connecter?

thanks!

jeff

[Gilly]

I don't have the exact pin-out for you, but it is 3 wires (this should be the fiber optics changer in a 99). The 3 wires are a power and ground, which are both provided by the radio itself, and a wakeup line, this is also from the radio. I'm sure you must have plugged in the 3 wire connector. The magazine should still eject even if the fiber optics wire is not connected.
If this is the very newest style changer, with the small plastic doors on the side where the suspension is changed from vertical to horizontal, we have had lots of problems with these being caused by the suspension being set incorrectly. They usually arrive in the horizontal mode, make sure on your e class that it is set to vertical mount. Still, I have never seen one not eject the magazine because of this, but I have seen them refuse to recognize the magazine simply because the suspension was set incorrectly.

Gilly

[jeffm]

Thanks for the reply. I don't think this is the newer version
of the changer -- at least I didn't see any way of adjusting
the suspension bits on it.

When I hit the eject button, it flashes and grinds for a second, and thats about it. I'm wondering whether the head unit is supplying the correct voltage for the changer. I'll probably have to swing by the dealer and see if they can test it for me.

thanks

jeff

[Gilly]

Jeff:
You'd need to remove the changer from the bracket to see the suspension adjustment points. I agree though that it seems to be unrelated to the suspension. I didn't know it was making a grinding noise, I thought it wasn't doing anything if the eject magazine button was pushed.
On the 3 wires, you can test it yourself with a volt meter. 2 of the sockets should have about battery voltage with the radio turned on, the one without voltage should have a ground.

Gilly

[jt'sE320]

I just recently purchased a 2000 E320 equipped with the integrated cell phone and CD Changer. It was working fine, until one day - it switched from CD to FM and now the radio says there is No CD Changer. Was wondering what can cause this?! If it's the CD Changer that needs to be replaced or soemthing else.

[Gilly]

What it possibly is is the radio was never configured properly to reflect the addition of the CD and/or phone. Dealer would need to set this.
Gilly