Adding a CD changer
 

Having just replaced the front dash & rear deck speakers (the bass door units were OK) I would now like to add an OE CD changer to the original set up.

1. Does anyone know where I can get the correct CD changer - either new or s/hand.

2. How can I determine if my car is pre-wired for a CD Changer?

Thanks,

Neil.

It is easy to tell if your radio will control a cd changer and it probably doesn't, 91 cars have the 5 radio presets and 92 >93 have 6 presets. You have to have 6 presets to have cd changer control. If you have six then my recomendation is to buy new not used and not oem. The reason I say this is if you buy used you are buying into a possible repair situation $200.00 to $300.00. It is best to buy a brand new alpine m-bus cd changer for $275 to $300 and an adapter for $35.00 to $50.00 then to mess with a 3 to 4 generations old model. Those are my 2 cents, good luck!

Scott@lajollaaudio

Thanks for the info Scott.

The head unit does have 6 presets. Also, the 'operation guide' describes the functions and controls for an 'optional' dealer-installed CD changer. A picture of a 6 CD Changer is also shown.

Interestingly, there are no model numbers or names on any of the units.

Will the Alpine changer operate the same way as the OE unit described in the operation guide?

If so, sounds like this is the way to go.

Yes, it will work with your factory radio (6 preset) just like the OE unit. What is the production date on your car?

Scott@Lajollaaudio

Am unsure about the production date of the car, however, the PDI was performed April 15 1991.

Have read that a harness adapter will only work with Alpine built OEM radios. I do not know if my radio is Alpine, so have attached a picture.

Have also read that I may need to purchase additional harness cables from MB.

Any guidance here would be appreciated

I understand that the Alpine CHM S620 changer will work with a $17 Peripheral MBZALP8 CD Changer Interface Adapter:

http://www.sounddomain.com/shop/list/b/Alpine/t/Multi-Disc%20Changers (on sale for $219)

http://www.sounddomain.com/shop/item.pl?sku=PERMBZALP8&vq_id=none.

I am considering doing this for my '93 190E.

This is good news IF you have the Alpine built OEM radio.
See the note on the sounddomain website:-

Note: the MBZALP8 works only on Alpine built OEM receiver

I have heard that alternative MB OEM radios require additional harnesses (at additional cost) from MB.

Am hoping someone can ID which radio I have based on the picture I posted earlier.

Your radio is a Alpine made Mercedes radio.

As Horst confirmed it is an Alpine radio and it is compatiable with the 620 cd changer..

Scott@Lajollaaudio

Thanks for confirming this.

I have gone ahead and ordered the Alpine CD Changer and Interface Cable.

Will let you know the outcome in due course.

Neil

The Alpine Changer and MBZALP8 interface cable arrived last week. Before drilling any holes, I decided to try it out.

Pulled the radio from the dash & removed the existing DIN connector. Hooked up the CD Changer using the Alpine and Peripheral cables, switched on and .......

... niente, nada, nothing !!

Checked the MB Radio manual. Apparently, I should be able to access CD functions using the 'Mode' button. But to no avail.

Worse still, I loaded 3 CD's into the Changer that I now cannot remove.

Additional observations
Tracked the existing grey DIN cable from the back of the radio to the trunk (near the o/s light assy). There is also a 4 wire connector near the back of the radio (that has nowhere to go), and a similar 2-wire connector in the trunk (looks like a pwr lead).

Any suggestions?

It sounds to me like you are not getting any power through the cd changer cable. I can't say I have experienced the same thing with that adapter/radio combo. I assume you have plugged the perf adapter directly into the radio and the alpine changer cable plugged into the adapter then to the cd changer and nothing? I would have to say that you are going to have a tough time t/s the problem without back up product to check it out. Do you have a test light? Try checking 1st the din plug at the back of the radio for power on one of the pins in the connector. Then if you have power on one then check it with the perf adapter plugged in on the cd changer side of the adapter to see if it is passing power through it.

Scott@Lajollaaudio

Success!!

Yes Scott, the cables were hooked up as described in your previous post. So I decided to check for pwr.

Using my trusty AVO meter, I found +12v on two of the DIN plug connectors, so pwr was not the issue.

Thats when I turned my attention to the blue fly lead attached to the Periph Adapter cable. I assumed (wrongly) that this was a ground lead. Since I was running out of ideas, I hooked this lead up to +12v and the CD Changer sprang to life.

I guess the confusing issue is that the Peripharal Adapter cable comes with no instructions. It is not clear what to do with the blue fly lead.

Can you now access the changer through the mode function and have the other benefits of plug and play? Thanks.

The CD Changer is accessed using the Mode button.

Everything works 'plug and play'. CD operation is described in the MB Radio manual, but its intuitive enough to operate without instructions.

The sound quality is the best I've heard coming from the existing, system i.e., none of the pops and crackles experienced from normal radio reception.