mbsickness

Hello All, I bought an OEM radio off the web (CM2396) a while back and finally got around to hooking it up. The strange thing is that it will not recognize the CD changer. When I push the CD button...nothing. Just stays in whatever mode it is in (i.e radio, tape, etc.). I know the CD changer works because when I plug in another radio it works (BE1492). When I disconnect the cd changer and press the CD button...it says "none" unlike the one I bought. Can one of you with a 96-98 202 with the OEM radio and no CD Changer see what happens when you press the CD button? Thanks.

scorchie

You probably did not buy a broken radio. The BE1492/CM2294 (Becker/Alpine) is a 1994-1995 radio; the BE1692/CM2296/CM2396 is a late 1995 and later radio. The two use slightly different protocols for communicating with the CD changer.

Generally the 1994-1995 radios can use a very cheap wire adapter to connect an Alpine CD changer. The 1995+ radios need a more complex (and more expensive) protocol adapter.

The difference in these protocols is probably causing you the problem. If you use a 1996-1998 CD changer, everything will work again.

-s-

mbsickness

Thanks for the reply. The changer I have does have the 96-98 adapter which duplicates the proprietary language. I just was wondering what happens when you press the cd button when there isn't a changer installed as the 96-98 radio does nothing where the 94-95 radio at least says "none".

linuxfoo

i have a fully working stock CM2396 and also the factory cd changer out of my 98' c43 for sale if your interested, both in excellent condition. i am also in the SF area, so you can even test it before you buy.