...and on each of the rear windows has a sticker that states "Radio Alarm, roemoving the radio will fry electronics and set off alarm." I'm pretty sure my car doesn't have an alarm, but I want to replace the old original Becker. Is this credible, or is the sticker just a bunch of bs as a theft deterant? Please let me know, thanks!

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1989 300E 144K

Don't know what year your car is, but on my '89...yes, it does have an alarm. Came as a big surprise to me when I went into the store one day while my wife waited in the car. I locked the doors from the outside with the key, as one would normally do. Well, while I was inside the store, she opened her door and set off the alarm. Boy, was that embarrassing! Couldn't for the life of me figure out how to turn the alarm/horn off. Finally called my mechanic and he walked me through the procedure.

However, pulling the radio out will not set off the alarm. What it will do is disable the radio from future use. There is a four digit numeric code that needs to be entered into the radio whenever the battery is disconnected (like, when the car is in the shop and the mechanic disconnects the negative strap). The radios are basically worthless unless you have the code. But, there are ways around that. I paid a pretty penny for one local stereo shop to insert a new circuit board with a known code.

What car is this radio being pulled out of? I might purchase your old radio from you. Pay you more if you have the code, less if you don't.

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-Steven

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1959 190b, totalled
1968 220D, sold
1969 230/8, sold
1980 240D manual, gave away at 300k (stupid me)
1985 190D 2.2 manual, gave away to a youngster
1989 300CE, sold when I retired - major regrets

They do have an alarm. Try leaving a window open, close the door, lock the car, then open the door through the window and see what happens. To disarm it you just unlock the car again.

I forgot about it on my 300E....I opened the door, popped the hood, closed the door, locked it, then went over to open the hood. As soon as I open it.... HONK>>>HONK>>>>HONK>>>>>and flashing lights etc. So I unlock the car and it stops. I nearly soiled my armor!

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I don't have the code (unless it's in the owners manual, etc.) I'm not too concerned about saving the radio, but if I can get it out in one piece, you can have it for the cost of shipping. This is on my 89. I was more concerned about setting off the alarm. I'll let you know.

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1989 300E 144K

Seriously...I'll take it. It would be worth it to me to have it re-coded. Let me know. Instructions on pulling it out have to be somewhere on the web. I know that there is a "trick".

By the way, if you purchase a replacement from Crutchfield, they will also send you the conversion harness to plug into your existing wires. Be sure to get that. It's listed on their web pages, a no cost addition. If you call, you might have to ask.

__________________
-Steven

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1959 190b, totalled
1968 220D, sold
1969 230/8, sold
1980 240D manual, gave away at 300k (stupid me)
1985 190D 2.2 manual, gave away to a youngster
1989 300CE, sold when I retired - major regrets

i was driving the SDL two weeks ago and i locked the doors as I was driving but somehow the alarm went off.. and I was on the highway and I am like.. wtf is going on...

I had to pull over and do the procedure.

No need to "recode."

Just go to Mercedes dealer with VIN and proof of car ownership and dealer will give you the code (originally installed radio, of course).

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

I would just get a different radio-

Those were suppose to have a battery- long since dead. Dealerships don't like those as they take a tool. You have to pull the radio to re-set it I believe and they can be nice and do it for free- or they will charge you.
Get a replacement Becker radio- with a code card and cd player. When they have refurbed units, they are about $250-300. BE 4604? They can even wire it up for IPOD input if you need it.

Michael

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W124Stereo

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

This has happened to me though not while on the highway. Is there a procedure other than locking and unlocking the car with one of the "master" keys?

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I never go far without a little Big Star

1994 E500 199/Gray 82k
84 300D (Salty) Orient Red/Palomino 141k
88 300CE (Ersatzhammer) 904/Java 163k -- Turbo Technics twin turbo kit, AMG Gen I body kit, Sportline steering box and steering wheel, Sportline/Eibach /Bilstein Sport/500E suspension, Quaife LSD in 210 mm diff case, Silver Arrow brakes.
88 300CE Brabus 3.6 199 on Black 44k

all you need is vehicles vin # and some proof, no need to remove the radio

Depending on which Becker model you have in the car, it may not have a code at all. On my '89 300CE removing the radio with the alarm on will set it off. There is no code to enter, at least that it was I gathered. The code entry Becker systems came in around 1990 or 1991.

Sometimes you can find the code written in the owners manual or on an old work order. The code needs to be entered every time the battery is disconnected.

Otherwise the dealer should help you; just bring VIN and proof of ownership.

And if you decide against taking it, I'll be glad to take it.

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1988 California version 260E (W124)
Anthracite Grey/Palomino
Owned since new and still going strong and smooth
MBCA member

Past Mercedes-Benz:
1986 190E Baby Benz
1967 230 Inherited from mom when she downsized
1959 220S Introduced me to the joys of keepin' 'em goin'

There are only 10 kinds of people in the world--those who understand binary and those who don't

Hah! Just earlier this week, Becker quoted me, "Ugrade radio…it usually costs $450." for their BE-4602. And it can't even play MP3 CDs...I asked. For four and a half bills, I'll stick with what I have, or go aftermarket, if I can only find one that looks nice and like it belongs in an older German sedan. On my coupe, I had an Alpine CD 6-disk changer mounted in the trunk and the control run up and into the ash tray. It will play MP3 discs and plays into the radio via RF on an unused channel. Being able to keep the antenna down with the radio on really helps the RF part of it.

I'm looking for an inexpensive 780 or 1480 to replace my 612, which doesn't have balance control. Might as well. I still have, and use, a large library of cassettes.

__________________
-Steven

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1959 190b, totalled
1968 220D, sold
1969 230/8, sold
1980 240D manual, gave away at 300k (stupid me)
1985 190D 2.2 manual, gave away to a youngster
1989 300CE, sold when I retired - major regrets