How to wire later model radio into W116?
 

OK, I did a search and posted this message originally in the Audio Forum without success other than having another W116 owner say he had the same question.

Here is the situation. My 1980 300SD has a Becker "Mexico" radio with cassette. I would like to replace the unit with a newer Becker "Grand Prix" Model 754 from a '87 300D. I have had the "Mexico" radio out and it is hard wired, while the later "Grand Prix" model has plugs for the wires. Can someone help identify how to wire the later model radio into my '80 W116?

I expect that a new "hot" wire will need to be run for the memory of the later Becker not present in the original non-digital radio. Anyone know the radio wiring used in the original W116?

This is how I did it a week ago
 

Aight, its a real pain to wire in a newer stereo into any 116. Last week when I decided to properly wire in my new panasonic head unit, I ran a wire from the base to the battery. You should use a high temp wire and secure it against the firewall with zip ties. Then since the new panasonic head has a built in fader and the one stock with the car is ghetto and scratchy, I decided to rip all the wiring out. You most likely will not need to go through and rewire everything since the fader was used with that model of becker. The front speakers have an offwhite with black stripe in them and the rears are green with black stripes. Those wires are connected to the beckers amp which is under the glove box. Once you have those wires all loose, connect the power lines and with just touching the wires together figure out which cable go to which speaker. Then either find the right plug to easily wire it to the becker or cut the connectors and just solder them. If you have any question, I will try to answer it.

Thanks ptoro01 for the info. I had read in other posts about the separate Becker amp. That explains the metal box below the glove box attached to the back of the carpet panel. I had no idea what that box was, but now it makes sense.

It is my assumption that the later model Becker unit does not use a separate amp so I can just eliminate it. Is that correct?

I had a good shop replace my Becker with a Sony unit, no problem if you find a qualified guy.

If you want to do it yourself, get hold of Becker USA. They publish the specs and have parts for lots of old radios. They had some sort of ad in the recent Star. You should be able to get a wiring diagram from them.

Does your old becker still work at all?

Fred

Theres a wonderful Becker Mexico on ebay right now. You asked if the becker still worked and yeah its the most amazing of 70's technology.

Check it out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=38639&item=2479349251&sspagename=STRK%3AMESSE%3AIT

Yes, the radio still works in my 300SD and it is just like the one on eBay in the link above. I would just like to have a digital unit with some presets.