Putting in the combo switch - and XM! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tenknots · #1 02-17-2005, 03:24 PM

OK, got the combination switch from Potomac/Florida for $40 (+$10 shipping - a little steep) - you may remember that I broke it getting a new seat into the car.

I read the posts about how the 10mm allem screw that holds the steering wheel was put on by giant germans and average mortals couldn't get them off. I was surprised that a 10mm allen wrench and a 12" bar cracked it loose easily. Then I realized that the switch had been replaced before and someone with better tools probably did it. The replacement of the switch was easy, though the switch I got had a bunch of contacts on it that my old one didn't. I finally realized that they were for an airbag and I just took them off.

After that I decided to put in new speakers. The stock speakers are lousy paper cones. I spent about $125 for 4 good Pioneer speakers (4x6) and they just dropped in. But the sound was still not very good, at least on the starboard side. So I took the new hi-power stereo out of my boat and put it in. Wow, what a difference. It really sounds great ("it's only temporary, sweetie"). While I was at Best Buy, I also picked up an XM Roady2 (finally getting around to spending my Christmas bonus). I tried the antenna on the dashboard hoping to avoid running wires everywhere, but I kept loosing the signal. I ended up running the wire through a 1" grommet on the passenger side engine compartment, next to the battery. It leads into the footwell and then I fished it through the back of the glovebox area and under trim to get it to the radio area. Stuck the magnetic antenna on the hood and voila! it fell off. Forgot that the hood on the 126's are aluminum. So I stuck it on the fender by the door (it's only about 1 x1 inches) and it works perfectly. I use the FM modulator to run the XM to the radio and it sounds very good. I will probably order a RB-10 cable to run it directly into the radio and get even better sound.

After changing the seats and putting in a new radio, it's like a new car. I love it more than ever.

Pete Burton · #2 02-17-2005, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenknots

OK, got the combination switch from Potomac/Florida for $40 (+$10 shipping - a little steep) - you may remember that I broke it getting a new seat into the car.

I read the posts about how the 10mm allem screw that holds the steering wheel was put on by giant germans and average mortals couldn't get them off. I was surprised that a 10mm allen wrench and a 12" bar cracked it loose easily. Then I realized that the switch had been replaced before and someone with better tools probably did it. The replacement of the switch was easy, though the switch I got had a bunch of contacts on it that my old one didn't. I finally realized that they were for an airbag and I just took them off.

After that I decided to put in new speakers. The stock speakers are lousy paper cones. I spent about $125 for 4 good Pioneer speakers (4x6) and they just dropped in. Cool, I've been thinking of the same thing. were all 4 speakers the same?But the sound was still not very good, at least on the starboard side. So I took the new hi-power stereo out of my boat and put it in. Wow, what a difference. It really sounds great ("it's only temporary, sweetie"). While I was at Best Buy, I also picked up an XM Roady2 (finally getting around to spending my Christmas bonus). I tried the antenna on the dashboard hoping to avoid running wires everywhere, but I kept loosing the signal. I ended up running the wire through a 1" grommet on the passenger side engine compartment, next to the battery. It leads into the footwell and then I fished it through the back of the glovebox area and under trim to get it to the radio area. Stuck the magnetic antenna on the hood and voila! it fell off. Forgot that the hood on the 126's are aluminum. Mine is steel, and I think most of them are. However, some 126 (500 SEC??)had aluminum, I wonder someone switched at some point? So I stuck it on the fender by the door (it's only about 1 x1 inches) and it works perfectly. I use the FM modulator to run the XM to the radio and it sounds very good. I will probably order a RB-10 cable to run it directly into the radio and get even better sound.

After changing the seats and putting in a new radio, it's like a new car. I love it more than ever.

Were you able to change all the speakers from above?

tenknots · #3 02-17-2005, 07:22 PM

Yes. The fronts had two screws and the grille pivoted/lifted off. Two more screws and the speakers came out. New ones dropped in. I had cut the wires (they're soldered) to solder the pigtails from the new speakers on to the old wires. Could have used wire nuts as well.

Rears had 4 screws. When you take the screws completely off, the grills lift up and there are fore and aft brackets that dropped off. Not hard to figure how to reinstall.

I used an offset phillips screw driver/ratchet. A stubby would probably work, but be more tedious.

The difference in speakers is truly amazing.