Radio issue 1999 ML430 Stuck on WAIT
 

My radio says " wait "
I have removed battery for a few hours. Did nothing.
Removed Radio for few hours. Did nothing.
Also tried a method I found online telling me to turn key to run position and
not start for a few hours. Did nothing.
It worked fine till i put in new battery and after putting in the correct code it
is stuck on WAIT.
Anything else I can try
Thanks. Jay

From working with the radio just prior to yours, if an incorrect code is entered too many times, it needs to be powered up ( key on and on button cycled ) for 24 hours to try coding again. ( It does not look at the clock display, it used elapsed time. )

There is a chance that when connecting the battery it sparked a few times and jammed the radio. An option would be to pull both fuses ( memory power that goes to the battery and accessory power that goes through the ignition switch. ) or unplug radio.

If this does not fix, you might just have to drive car for a few days.

My 92 300TE with similar Radio Challenge Answered
 

I do not know if this answer will apply to you or not. I can only state that it worked well for me.

My 92 was left off the road for a year. When I returned it to service it of course required a new battery. That replacement then sent the radio on a request for the code. In hast I probably entered it incorrectly.

For two days I tolerated the WAIT message. Then it was suggested that I leave the key in the accessory position and the radio in the on position but with nothing else on for one hour.

When I returned I re-entered the radio code. The radio and I have been friends ever since.

I hope this helps.


Dave H...

I have tried leaving the key on for a few hours, and have pulled radio out of truck for a few days. Still says WAIT. Will try leaving key on for longer. I dont think my battery will last 24 hours.
Thanks. Jay