Radio Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JenTay · #1 05-08-2007, 01:54 PM

The original radio in the car stopped working. Actually, it seems to power up and function perfectly but there is no sound. I took it to Circuit City to get a new radio. They said that:

-it is the Amplifier that is bad given the age of the car
-the radio costs just $100 but somehow the free installation is $150 because they have to rewire the whole car
-the speakers are old and will sound bad ..another $100 for new ones.

Is this reasonable?
I just listen to NPR. I just need it to work. If the amp is indeed bad, can't i just get an amp? is there a way to check the amp? will any old amp work?

By the way, I'm a momma now. Everyone say hello to Emily.

TX76513 · #2 05-08-2007, 01:57 PM

Jen - have you been into the center console lately? If the fader switch becomes disconnected (easily) it will do as you describe and make you go crazy.

PaulC · #3 05-08-2007, 02:03 PM

Emily? I thought you had your heart set on Gottlieb! Assuming the fader issue described above is not the answer, it sounds as if the current system has a stand-alone amp and they want to install a radio with a built-in amp. They probably would have to do some rewiring, but $150 buys a lot of time/wire for this task.

Speakers? Your $100 new radio will not likely overpower your old speakers. your call, really.

If I were you, I would repost your question in the sound system section of this site.

JenTay · #4 05-08-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

Jen - have you been into the center console lately? If the fader switch becomes disconnected (easily) it will do as you describe and make you go crazy.

fader switch? a switch? describe it a little bit

TX76513 · #5 05-08-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenTay

fader switch? a switch? describe it a little bit

looks like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Audio-Fader-Control-Switch-W124-W126-W201_W0QQitemZ150088194989QQcmdZViewItem

PaulC · #6 05-08-2007, 02:07 PM

It governs the amount of sound coming from the front vs. rear speakers. I think that it's a thumbwheel on the console on your model. EDIT: As depicted in the preceding post.

JenTay · #7 05-08-2007, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

It governs the amount of sound coming from the front vs. rear speakers. I think that it's a thumbwheel on the console on your model. EDIT: As depicted in the preceding post.

ha! i see it! i never noticed it there. how the heck does it come off?

JenTay · #8 05-08-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

Emily? I thought you had your heart set on Gottlieb! Assuming the fader issue described above is not the answer, it sounds as if the current system has a stand-alone amp and they want to install a radio with a built-in amp. They probably would have to do some rewiring, but $150 buys a lot of time/wire for this task.

Speakers? Your $100 new radio will not likely overpower your old speakers. your call, really.

If I were you, I would repost your question in the sound system section of this site.

I had my heart set on Jorge de Cemento too. Maybe next time.

TX76513 · #9 05-08-2007, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenTay

ha! i see it! i never noticed it there. how the heck does it come off?

Most of the time they come off when you are replacing or cleaning other switches - as mine did, sort of cramped in that area. I haven't heard of one just coming unconnected, suppose it's possible.

The Swede · #10 05-08-2007, 02:36 PM

The fader usually dies out slowly. It'll crackle when you move the wheel and the speakers will fade in and out. Typically you can mess with it enough, so all speakers are equal.

As mentioned, I'd post in the audio forum. Also, I'd avoid a big box store. If you can find a local audio install shop, it'll save you some grief.

The Swede · #11 05-08-2007, 02:38 PM

Center console removal:

1) remove the ash tray assy (gently pull it out of the console (below radio, towards shifter))
2) remove the coin/junk tray forward of shifter gently pop it upward
3) gently slide wod trim panel with window switch assys forward (toward front of auto)
4) driver and pass side switch assys can be gently popped out (upward) of/from trim panel after you disconnect the harnesses
5) window rocker switches can then be replaced or repaired.
6) to inspect/clean rocker switch contacts
a) gently pry the sides of switch adjacent to rocker switch pivot point and remove switch "cap", be careful to retain two spring points in the switch cap bottom.
b) use some tweezers to remove pair of rocker contacts below and clean any carbon/corrosion evident on contact points
c) reassemble switch
d) testing: plug switches into wiring harness and check windows for function (note - you can use working driv/pax side switches on pax/driv harnesses to check if problem is in switch or between console and door or window motor also note contact pins in stitch and harness are different for front and rear)
7) reassemble trim panel with switches and plug in wiring harnesses, reverse the above removal steps.

-From MBWorld.org

BENZ-LGB · #12 05-08-2007, 03:04 PM

Jen, congratulations on you r new bundle of joy. Emily is a lovely name. For a while there it was running #1 or #2 on the list of favorite baby girl names.

Regarding your car stereo, if it just died on you all of the sudden it may very well be the amps. Benz used a two amp system. The radio in the dashboard is basically a "controller" unit. The juice for the sound comes from the two amps.

You'd have noticed a bad fader because the sound would have degraded over time. It would not have been a sudden loss of power/sound.

The installation price of $150 is not all that out of line. This is because a new radio install will require a bypass of the amps and, hopefully, a bypass of that the useless/troublesome fader switch.

It is not the amount of wire, it is the amount of time it takes to do the job right.

I've owned a 1984SD, a 1991 420SEL and currently own a 1989 300TE and a 1991 300CE. I've had new radios put on all of them and the rewiring is always hte tricky part (I pay my stereo guy to do it). So $150 is not "that" bad.

As for the speakers being bad, yes, that is a possibility. I mean, they are old and are exposed to a lot of sunlight and heat. But if all you listen to is NPR (you sound like my wife

) then new speakers may not make that much of a difference. Besides, the speakers used in your car are not readily available at CC, for 100 bills or for any amount.

If I may ke a suggestion. I have Alpine H/U installed in all of my older Benzes. The have a whole range from very simple and inexpensive to very fancy and expensive. YOu should look into it.

Another suggestion, if you are going to pay for installation, maybe you should look some place else other than CC. I've heard some horror stories about them.

Good luck...

And congrats on your Em.

JenTay · #13 05-08-2007, 03:22 PM

would replacing just the amp be a bad idea? seems like a whole lot less trouble

PaulC · #14 05-08-2007, 03:31 PM

Assuming the component cost is reasonable. You really should hit the Car Audio section of this site. Most of the posters on Open Discussion are semi-old farts who become all giggly if their car has an AM Philco radio and one dashboard speaker.

dannym · #15 05-08-2007, 03:35 PM

I got my radio replaced at Circuit City. I don't know if they charged an extra $50 but I do remember being charged extra. They take all the old wires and wire them up into a Romex connector. All in all a very neat and professional job.

I think I would replace the speakers myself being that they are so much simpler.

Danny