Harmon Kardon Stereo sucks
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County, SoCal
05' C230K S.S.
Harmon Kardon Stereo sucks
Hey guys, I have an 05' C230K S.S. with the Harmon Kardon stereo & it's happened again, the audio just goes out for no reason, the thing lights up & when I stick a cd in the dash it will play but there's just no audio, radio changes stations, but when I hit the cd changer button it tells me "no cdc", like I said this has happened a number of times before, I've taken it in before & they reset the thing, or sometimes it just comes back after a day or so, anyone have any experience / explenations for this? Call me crazy, but I don't think this should be happening again & again on a "Quality German Engineered Luxury Car" that vosts $35K.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2005 C230 Sport Sedan - Auto
I have an 05' C230 Sport Sedan as well. Twice I've had the radio go out on me. It came back after a day each time. I also had a time where the sound had a lot of static (both radio and CD). Turning the car off and on fixed that. The dealer was never able to reproduce these problems. I also had a pretty bad rattle from the center dash speaker. This was replaced under warranty. I'm definitely don't have a warm and fuzzy feeling for the Harmon Kardon system.
LeifAW
LeifAW
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 0
From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
Originally Posted by Buellwinkle
Harmon Kardboard is what we called them in the good ole days but Bose sucks more so you should be happy.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Evans, GA
Audi TTQC & W203 Sport
At 53, and after 27 years in tanks/armored fighting vehicles, I find the H-K is awesome in my C230 SS-K. mind you, I am functionally deaf in one ear, but I can hear the whole car, and the presentation os crispand clear for my wife and I.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 11
From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
Wow, I never knew that the audio system could fail like that.
I've had my C230 SS since January of 2005. It was probably a November Production car. It only has 10,500 miles on it right now (I'm away from the home most of the time).
Haven't came into that problem yet. But I hope it's covered under warranty.
I've had my C230 SS since January of 2005. It was probably a November Production car. It only has 10,500 miles on it right now (I'm away from the home most of the time).
Haven't came into that problem yet. But I hope it's covered under warranty.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 4
From: Portland, OR
2014 CLS550 4Matic
Dealer may or may not be able to fix with a new firmware flash or changing out some hardware - I had the new firmware flash on my '05 320 and the problem would still occassionally occur. You can always just disconnect the negative battery cable and the radio will reset and work again. Oh yeah, you will also have to re-program the auto windows and sunroof after battery disconnect (manually run them all the way open and closed).
-Jeff
-Jeff
Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 3
From: Portland, OR
2005 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan
HK Issues, a fix for no CDC, other issues
1) I had the (no CDC) and no sound when I had but 362 miles on the car. They replaced the cable from the cd changer to the headunit. There is likely something wrong with your cable. Since mine was replaced, I have had no issues with this, so you're not the only one who's had this problem, brutha!
2) I also had a firmware flash on the HK system, and I am on my second amp. It was replaced and flashed with the update.
3) Static from center speaker, it was resecured.
4) Rattle in driver's side door from speaker, dealer replaced control module after unsuccessful attempt to fix with felt.
5) Somewhat unrelated: iPod issue is still a problem, but it is rare and I can live with it. Causes a fault in the fiber optic network and the MFD displays Please Wait.
I am lucky to have thorough mechanics/service people because none of us should settle for problems like these. They are all fixable and my stereo works 99% of the time and sounds great...except for the iPod...and, OK I am going to have the sunshade looked at it, it is starting to rattle quite a bit.
2) I also had a firmware flash on the HK system, and I am on my second amp. It was replaced and flashed with the update.
3) Static from center speaker, it was resecured.
4) Rattle in driver's side door from speaker, dealer replaced control module after unsuccessful attempt to fix with felt.
5) Somewhat unrelated: iPod issue is still a problem, but it is rare and I can live with it. Causes a fault in the fiber optic network and the MFD displays Please Wait.
I am lucky to have thorough mechanics/service people because none of us should settle for problems like these. They are all fixable and my stereo works 99% of the time and sounds great...except for the iPod...and, OK I am going to have the sunshade looked at it, it is starting to rattle quite a bit.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
2017 E300, 2017 GL450
Originally Posted by SteveAustin
1)
5) Somewhat unrelated: iPod issue is still a problem, but it is rare and I can live with it. Causes a fault in the fiber optic network and the MFD displays Please Wait.
5) Somewhat unrelated: iPod issue is still a problem, but it is rare and I can live with it. Causes a fault in the fiber optic network and the MFD displays Please Wait.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: redondo beach, ca
2005 C230 SS
same here, '05 c230 with h/k. its done it 2 times, same problem as the original poster. dealer couldnt replicate problem. they told me as of right now it has the newest firmware. ill see what happens. overall the h/k system has pretty good highs and mids, the 'woofer' is a joke, and it rattles the **** out of the rear panel. dealer said they couldnt do nothing about it. i just put my CD casae on top of it, until i can fill it with dynamat one of this days.i wish it was easier to swap out mb sound system and add aftermarket stuff.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
..
Other than rattle, which the dealer fixed by replacing the mounts, I find the HK system to be pretty good. The system sounds rather dull when playing CD's or MP3's through an iPod. Face it guys the audio quality on the iPod sucks. The stereo sounds AWESOME when I run my iPAQ through the aux input using Winampaq to play MP3's. I have compared side by side with the iPod and there is a huuuge difference in sound quality.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 11
From: SF Bay Area, CA
2006 E55 and 2002 E320
Now that people are mentioning rattles, I will say this.
I demand quite a bit out of my audio system as I love my Batti Batti Operas, Puccini, classical music, and jazz music.
However, I also have a techno music CD (poor taste, I know but hear me out) in my CD autochanger. And now whenever I play it, it requires quite a bit of bass. I have the settings on "Surround", Treble +4, Bass +2.
Now, at just Bass +2 during some times in the jazz and techno music the rear subwoofer rattles a bit.
What can I do? I saw the thread about rattles and how to solve them yourself but I don't think I could really do anything.
This is my main concern with the H/K audio system. Not to mention the fact that the doors vibrate whenever too much bass is coming out.
I demand quite a bit out of my audio system as I love my Batti Batti Operas, Puccini, classical music, and jazz music.
However, I also have a techno music CD (poor taste, I know but hear me out) in my CD autochanger. And now whenever I play it, it requires quite a bit of bass. I have the settings on "Surround", Treble +4, Bass +2.
Now, at just Bass +2 during some times in the jazz and techno music the rear subwoofer rattles a bit.
What can I do? I saw the thread about rattles and how to solve them yourself but I don't think I could really do anything.
This is my main concern with the H/K audio system. Not to mention the fact that the doors vibrate whenever too much bass is coming out.
