From owner-diesel-benz-digest@digest.net Fri Apr 2 09:30:47 2010 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Friday, April 2 2010 Volume 01 : Number 3264 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: Re: [db] Re: Radio Mystery Re: [db] Re: Radio Mystery [db] W124.128 Radio mysterie Re: [db] Re: Radio Mystery Re: [db] W124.128 Radio mysterie Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest@digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request@digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to stag-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:56:58 -0400 From: Edward Pomeroy Subject: Re: [db] Re: Radio Mystery Located the power line to the Amp. Has power, they hid it behind the unit and I could not see the feed. I am going to try and find a pull from a wreck and replace the in-dash radio first as I am suspecting that the preamp or circuit that takes signal from the tuner and the casette may have failed and all that gets through to the actual amplifier is the noise on the lines when any switch is toggled. Volume of the noise is same no matter where the volume control is set, which is why I suspect this circuit. Off to the wrecking yard tomorrow, if they are open. That dangling connector must be to power the optional CD changer that could mount in the trunk, length is just right for a center mounted unit under the rear deck. Edward Edward Pomeroy wrote: > Thanks for the encouragement John. > > Well, you have to keep it to a snicker, the control does not affect > the problem, but it does tell me that the front and back speakers are > working fine as I can move the buzzing sound back to front by moving > the pot :-) and punching buttons. > > Now here is the situation. I yanked the right side rear cover off the > trunk to expose the amplifier. There are two objects back there. One > is black with a heat sink and a single large multi pin connector with > heavy benz pins, same as you see in the engine compartment connectors. > This one has the fins pointing to the centerline of the trunk space. > > On the back side of that between a support and the outer skin of the > vehicle, is another heavily wired box. This one has the antenna > feeding it, several single wires of some sort. a spade lug that is > bare and plugs into a connector at the lower part single pole(which I > guess is ground) and what looks like the power connector that is on > the radio, with 4 or 5 pins in a mild zigzag shape connector made to > fit only one way........which taps into another line...... that > goes..... nowhere?! The other end has a connector similar to that > connected to this box and it was laying on the bottom of the rt. side > well under the carpeting shell. > > Of course, my bloody Haynes manual does not show the amplifier > circuit, just that of the radio. For the life of me I can't figure out > how power is reaching this unit (or maybe it is not) > > So, what is the black heat sinked item with single large connector? > Is that the Power Amp? if so it does not seem to connect to the other > box that has the antenna and other wires (with no apparent source of > power) feeding it. The black box cable bundle seems to go back into > the passenger compartment, I suspect it goes to one of the units under > the rear seat (there are 2 items there ) > > I have stripped out all the covers in the trunk and can't find > anything that this hanging plug will fit or reach. It has about 2' of > cable so it could reach almost to the center of the trunk when fed > behind or along side of inner wall. I am going to get a mirror and > halogen lamp to look at the underside of the nearest speaker, just in > case MB put a power connector near it, but so far can't find where > this think should have connected or how power feeds to the amplifier. > Maybe this was intended to power some other item, but then how does > power reach the Amp so I can check the feed? > > Onwards! > > Edward > > john wrote: >> I will be laughing out loud if that fixes it... messed with me as >> well... >> >> after I had the new deck installed I had no sound... started looking >> at the >> wiring in the trunk that bypassed the stock amp... was ready to pull >> the dash >> when for some reason I tried that dial... :) >> >> >> >> ----- >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold >> http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum >> http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >> >> On Thu, 1 Apr 2010, Edward Pomeroy wrote: >> >> # Aha - you mean that silly thing on the center console to the rear >> of the car >> # from the shifter - had not thought of that, will go an putz with >> it too. >> # # Edward >> # # john wrote: >> # > did you try spinning that little balance control dial in the center >> # > console? >> # > >> # > When I had an aftermarket head installed in mine I asked that >> they use all >> # > the stock >> # > wiring so the car could be returned to stock in the future... >> # > >> # > one day no sound came out... don't remember how I found it, but >> I fiddled >> # > with >> # > that dial and it all started working again... >> # > >> # > >> # > hope your solution is as simple. >> # > >> # > john >> # > >> # > >> # > >> # > ----- >> # > >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> # > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they >> mold >> # > http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para >> bellum >> # > http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com >> http://fotomeister.us >> # > >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> # > >> # > >> # > On Thu, 1 Apr 2010, Edward Pomeroy wrote: >> # > >> # > # Pointers for a radio problem - >> # > # # > # After having the 300D (1991 124) in storage over the >> winter, I dusted it >> # > # off >> # > # and put it back on the road. >> # > # # > # Works just as it did when parked....except.....the >> radio fails to produce >> # > # radio or casette tape sounds. >> # > # # > # Antenna extends, power goes to both the radio and >> exterior amp. AND when >> # > # using the controls on the radio, the tuner changes stations >> and the >> # > # casette >> # > # tape runs with track display, but the only sound one can get >> is a buzz >> # > # when >> # > # any of the digital controls are used on the radio. That is to >> say, vol >> # > # up/down you get buzz for each step of the controls. Change >> station, get >> # > # buzz >> # > # each time through speakers. Just the white noise produced when >> something >> # > # steps digitally. >> # > # # > # Logic tells me >> # > # 1) the amplifier is working as I hear the loud buzz each time >> a digital >> # > # control is used. >> # > # 2) The tuner seems to move the station correctly but no sound >> emanates. >> # > # 3) the tape player runs, but no music emanates. >> # > # # > # All fuses are good. >> # > # Removed console, removed radio, checked all connections and >> wires (no >> # > # mouse >> # > # damage visible) >> # > # Traced wires back to amp - no visible damage (unless the >> damage is under >> # > # the >> # > # carpet on the run from the center console to the trunk where I >> have yet >> # > # to >> # > # strip out all the carpeting to trace it). >> # > # Unplugged and re-connected everything. >> # > # # > # Still acts same as described. Hate to order a new >> radio and/or amp not >> # > # knowing why this is acting this way. >> # > # # > # Anyone run into this problem before? Any pointers? I am >> assuming that the >> # > # cannon connector with about 12 pins is what runs all >> # > # the signals from the radio to the amp. I suppose I could order >> a new >> # > # cable >> # > # and bypass the existing one as a proof of operation. Checking >> pin to pin >> # > # not >> # > # possible without extraction of same. >> # > # # > # Silver lining - found a broken vacuum line behind the >> control panel, >> # > # feeds >> # > # into a plastic panel that seems to be part of the vent system >> in center, >> # > # tried to re-connect it but the part inside said box/panel fell >> away and >> # > # there >> # > # is just no way to get at the assembly without removing the whole >> # > # dashboard >> # > # (for another day). I capped the line and all of a sudden the >> "clatta" >> # > # level >> # > # of the engne dropped 40db, ticks over like a new Benz. >> # > # # > # Thanks all, >> # > # Edward >> # > # # > # # > >> # > # ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2010 15:17:03 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] Re: Radio Mystery considering the long and "interesting" history of Becker/MB... I would suggest an aftermarket deck with MP3 player... ;) ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On Thu, 1 Apr 2010, Edward Pomeroy wrote: # Located the power line to the Amp. Has power, they hid it behind the unit and # I could not see the feed. I am going to try and find a pull from a wreck and # replace the in-dash radio first as I am suspecting that the preamp or circuit # that takes signal from the tuner and the casette may have failed and all that # gets through to the actual amplifier is the noise on the lines when any # switch is toggled. Volume of the noise is same no matter where the volume # control is set, which is why I suspect this circuit. Off to the wrecking yard # tomorrow, if they are open. That dangling connector must be to power the # optional CD changer that could mount in the trunk, length is just right for a # center mounted unit under the rear deck. # # Edward # # Edward Pomeroy wrote: # > Thanks for the encouragement John. # > # > Well, you have to keep it to a snicker, the control does not affect the # > problem, but it does tell me that the front and back speakers are working # > fine as I can move the buzzing sound back to front by moving the pot :-) # > and punching buttons. # > # > Now here is the situation. I yanked the right side rear cover off the trunk # > to expose the amplifier. There are two objects back there. One is black # > with a heat sink and a single large multi pin connector with heavy benz # > pins, same as you see in the engine compartment connectors. This one has # > the fins pointing to the centerline of the trunk space. # > # > On the back side of that between a support and the outer skin of the # > vehicle, is another heavily wired box. This one has the antenna feeding it, # > several single wires of some sort. a spade lug that is bare and plugs into # > a connector at the lower part single pole(which I guess is ground) and what # > looks like the power connector that is on the radio, with 4 or 5 pins in a # > mild zigzag shape connector made to fit only one way........which taps into # > another line...... that goes..... nowhere?! The other end has a connector # > similar to that connected to this box and it was laying on the bottom of # > the rt. side well under the carpeting shell. # > # > Of course, my bloody Haynes manual does not show the amplifier circuit, # > just that of the radio. For the life of me I can't figure out how power is # > reaching this unit (or maybe it is not) # > # > So, what is the black heat sinked item with single large connector? Is # > that the Power Amp? if so it does not seem to connect to the other box # > that has the antenna and other wires (with no apparent source of power) # > feeding it. The black box cable bundle seems to go back into the passenger # > compartment, I suspect it goes to one of the units under the rear seat # > (there are 2 items there ) # > # > I have stripped out all the covers in the trunk and can't find anything # > that this hanging plug will fit or reach. It has about 2' of cable so it # > could reach almost to the center of the trunk when fed behind or along side # > of inner wall. I am going to get a mirror and halogen lamp to look at the # > underside of the nearest speaker, just in case MB put a power connector # > near it, but so far can't find where this think should have connected or # > how power feeds to the amplifier. Maybe this was intended to power some # > other item, but then how does power reach the Amp so I can check the feed? # > # > Onwards! # > # > Edward # > # > john wrote: # > > I will be laughing out loud if that fixes it... messed with me as well... # > > # > > after I had the new deck installed I had no sound... started looking at # > > the # > > wiring in the trunk that bypassed the stock amp... was ready to pull the # > > dash # > > when for some reason I tried that dial... :) # > > # > > # > > # > > ----- # > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # > > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold # > > http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum # > > http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us # > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # > > # > > # > > On Thu, 1 Apr 2010, Edward Pomeroy wrote: # > > # > > # Aha - you mean that silly thing on the center console to the rear # > > of the car # > > # from the shifter - had not thought of that, will go an putz with # > > it too. # > > # # Edward # > > # # john wrote: # > > # > did you try spinning that little balance control dial in the center # > > # > console? # > > # > # > > # > When I had an aftermarket head installed in mine I asked that # > > they use all # > > # > the stock # > > # > wiring so the car could be returned to stock in the future... # > > # > # > > # > one day no sound came out... don't remember how I found it, but # > > I fiddled # > > # > with # > > # > that dial and it all started working again... # > > # > # > > # > # > > # > hope your solution is as simple. # > > # > # > > # > john # > > # > # > > # > # > > # > # > > # > ----- # > > # > # > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # > > # > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they # > > mold # > > # > http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para # > > bellum # > > # > http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com # > > http://fotomeister.us # > > # > # > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # > > # > # > > # > # > > # > On Thu, 1 Apr 2010, Edward Pomeroy wrote: # > > # > # > > # > # Pointers for a radio problem - # > > # > # # > # After having the 300D (1991 124) in storage over the # > > winter, I dusted it # > > # > # off # > > # > # and put it back on the road. # > > # > # # > # Works just as it did when parked....except.....the # > > radio fails to produce # > > # > # radio or casette tape sounds. # > > # > # # > # Antenna extends, power goes to both the radio and # > > exterior amp. AND when # > > # > # using the controls on the radio, the tuner changes stations # > > and the # > > # > # casette # > > # > # tape runs with track display, but the only sound one can get # > > is a buzz # > > # > # when # > > # > # any of the digital controls are used on the radio. That is to # > > say, vol # > > # > # up/down you get buzz for each step of the controls. Change # > > station, get # > > # > # buzz # > > # > # each time through speakers. Just the white noise produced when # > > something # > > # > # steps digitally. # > > # > # # > # Logic tells me # > > # > # 1) the amplifier is working as I hear the loud buzz each time # > > a digital # > > # > # control is used. # > > # > # 2) The tuner seems to move the station correctly but no sound # > > emanates. # > > # > # 3) the tape player runs, but no music emanates. # > > # > # # > # All fuses are good. # > > # > # Removed console, removed radio, checked all connections and # > > wires (no # > > # > # mouse # > > # > # damage visible) # > > # > # Traced wires back to amp - no visible damage (unless the # > > damage is under # > > # > # the # > > # > # carpet on the run from the center console to the trunk where I # > > have yet # > > # > # to # > > # > # strip out all the carpeting to trace it). # > > # > # Unplugged and re-connected everything. # > > # > # # > # Still acts same as described. Hate to order a new # > > radio and/or amp not # > > # > # knowing why this is acting this way. # > > # > # # > # Anyone run into this problem before? Any pointers? I am # > > assuming that the # > > # > # cannon connector with about 12 pins is what runs all # > > # > # the signals from the radio to the amp. I suppose I could order # > > a new # > > # > # cable # > > # > # and bypass the existing one as a proof of operation. Checking # > > pin to pin # > > # > # not # > > # > # possible without extraction of same. # > > # > # # > # Silver lining - found a broken vacuum line behind the # > > control panel, # > > # > # feeds # > > # > # into a plastic panel that seems to be part of the vent system # > > in center, # > > # > # tried to re-connect it but the part inside said box/panel fell # > > away and # > > # > # there # > > # > # is just no way to get at the assembly without removing the whole # > > # > # dashboard # > > # > # (for another day). I capped the line and all of a sudden the # > > "clatta" # > > # > # level # > > # > # of the engne dropped 40db, ticks over like a new Benz. # > > # > # # > # Thanks all, # > > # > # Edward # > > # > # # > # # > # > > # > # # > # ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2010 19:52:45 -0400 From: Subject: [db] W124.128 Radio mysterie and I always thought I had a high end Becker radio in my car. Still works but display not showing letters and figures completely anymore. Don't think Blaupunkt OEM were in this model. Wiard ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:32:29 -0400 From: Marc Z Subject: Re: [db] Re: Radio Mystery I have a new Blaupunkt in my sedan where the radio dealer had a wiring adapter that made it a simple install into my W123 body.. Plugged right in. Marc Z in NC On 4/1/2010 6:17 PM, john wrote: considering the long and "interesting" history of Becker/MB... I would suggest an aftermarket deck with MP3 player... ;) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2010 09:26:27 -0700 From: Eric Ditwiler Subject: Re: [db] W124.128 Radio mysterie I replaced the Becker Europa in my 1982 300CD with a modern unit with a CD and an input for MP3 players. That radio was no where near as sensitive as the Europa and when it got stolen, I went to a junk yard and bought another Europa. Becker has an office in New Jersey and stocks reasonably priced parts for even older models. They are well worth fixing for their own sake not even considering what they add to the originality of the car. The Europa at least, also has jacks on the back for other inputs that could be adapted for an MP3 player. On Apr 1, 2010, at 4:52 PM, wrote: > and I always thought I had a high end Becker radio in my car. Still works but > display not showing letters and figures completely anymore. > Don't think Blaupunkt OEM were in this model. > Wiard Eric Ditwiler Director, Academic Operations Harvey Mudd College 909-607-3134 eric_ditwiler@hmc.edu "It is more important to be doing the right things than it is to be doing things right." -- Peter F. Drucker ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #3264 **********************************