1sikbenz

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.

leifaw

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

MHPHOCKEY

I only have the issue with my iPod kit (MBZ). There is definetly a flaw in the headunit. I took picures of mine to show them...That helped.

Mike

Buellwinkle

Harmon Kardboard is what we called them in the good ole days but Bose sucks more so you should be happy.

MHPHOCKEY

Just out of curiosity, how big are the door speakers? I have a set of 6.75" Pioneer REV series from my ML. I don't think they fit though.

mctwin2kman

The only problem I have ever had with my Bose was the CD Changer failed. Not really Bose fault though but definetley MB's for there **** suppliers.

InTTruder

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.

patrick_y

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.

Jeffy

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

SteveAustin

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.

W0n6_3d4n

For those who ask, 7inch is the biggest u can put in C class door, u'll need a spacer.

Abspara

I had this issue for awhile and raised hell with my local dealer and Mbenz corporate. After about two weeks I had the faulty part swapped out with an "updated" one and have not had this issue since.

dmaclang

ive had this problem a couple times. i have an 05 c230 sedan.

next day, the problem disappeared.

drho2004

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.

sdsilverm3

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.

patrick_y

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.