Serious Audio Problems
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Mauston, Wisconsin
2005 C230k Auto Sedan
Serious Audio Problems
Hello all, I have a very big problem with my Audio in my 05 C230.
2 days ago, all sound completely stopped coming from my speakers except a soft blinker like click coming from the speakers. I pulled all the fuses associated to the radio and the stereo, and then today when I reinserted them, the audio was back, but severe popping, cracking, distorion, and random changes in volume occured. I held the reset button on the bass/tebel tabs and reset everything, and then the audio died again, except for the soft clicking.
Also, whenever I press the bass/trebel button, it shows the menu for a second or so, and then goes back to showing the radio station/track number. If i try and change the bass/trebel levels nothing happens unless i press really fast.
another point, when the sound was working, if i put it on speech or standard, there wasnt any random pops/crackles, but still the distorion and random volume changes
I just moved to Montana due to being relocated since im in the USAF, and there isnt a dealership for hundreds of miles in any direction.
Can anyone here offer any suggestions or how to fix it? i lost all sound once before, but it came right back with no problems when I restarted the car. Im really perplexed and cant seem to find much on this issue.
By the way, I have the Harmon/Kardon system.
Thanks in advance,
Stavvy
2 days ago, all sound completely stopped coming from my speakers except a soft blinker like click coming from the speakers. I pulled all the fuses associated to the radio and the stereo, and then today when I reinserted them, the audio was back, but severe popping, cracking, distorion, and random changes in volume occured. I held the reset button on the bass/tebel tabs and reset everything, and then the audio died again, except for the soft clicking.
Also, whenever I press the bass/trebel button, it shows the menu for a second or so, and then goes back to showing the radio station/track number. If i try and change the bass/trebel levels nothing happens unless i press really fast.
another point, when the sound was working, if i put it on speech or standard, there wasnt any random pops/crackles, but still the distorion and random volume changes
I just moved to Montana due to being relocated since im in the USAF, and there isnt a dealership for hundreds of miles in any direction.
Can anyone here offer any suggestions or how to fix it? i lost all sound once before, but it came right back with no problems when I restarted the car. Im really perplexed and cant seem to find much on this issue.
By the way, I have the Harmon/Kardon system.
Thanks in advance,
Stavvy
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 639
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
Sounds like your headunit may need to be replaced. If you can't get to a dealership, you might be able to find a new/used unit on eBay.
Also, maybe there's something on the car's canbus system that's freaking out the headunit.
Also, maybe there's something on the car's canbus system that's freaking out the headunit.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 639
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
If it has to do with the electronics in the unit, you have to replace it. If you're an electrical engineer, and know how to track that stuff down, then more power to you.
Now, if it's an amp or cabling issue, which it sounds like it's not, then pretty much anyone can replace cables, parts, amps, etc.
Now, if it's an amp or cabling issue, which it sounds like it's not, then pretty much anyone can replace cables, parts, amps, etc.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 639
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
The Command unit is essentially a computer. I've had to turn off and restart the entire car a couple of times before because my headunit literally crashed. Simply powering it off and back on it didn't clear it up at all. I had to clear out the cached memory, so off the car went and I started it back up.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,544
Likes: 87
From: San Jose, CA
2010 c300
I would take it to the dealer if it's still under warranty. I had a similar issue where my audio would not work at all. Turns out to be an AMP problem and had to be replaced. This was a several months back (i think November) and haven't had the issue since. Some had the same issue as I did, but HU was the culprit. I don't think theres anyway around your problem but to replace parts.
Oh and it's best to take it to the dealer when the problem is there. They won't be able to diagnose it otherwise.
Oh and it's best to take it to the dealer when the problem is there. They won't be able to diagnose it otherwise.
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 639
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
I agree, I think he was just concerned about cost. It's not a cheap unit to replace. Well...no OEM headunit is cheap to replace - they are all over-inflated price-wise. Over-priced, less features than aftermarket.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Mauston, Wisconsin
2005 C230k Auto Sedan
cost was one issue, location was another since there isnt a dealership nearby ((Damn relocation to montana, Florida was so nice to >.<)) and third, my baby just went out of warranty. Do you think if I went to a local audio shop and bought a new aftermarket headunit it could clear the problem? or if i go that route will i also have to replace all the interior speakers due to the fiber optic wiring.
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 219
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City, MO
'05 C230K SS
cost was one issue, location was another since there isnt a dealership nearby ((Damn relocation to montana, Florida was so nice to >.<)) and third, my baby just went out of warranty. Do you think if I went to a local audio shop and bought a new aftermarket headunit it could clear the problem? or if i go that route will i also have to replace all the interior speakers due to the fiber optic wiring.
And, just like no dealers being close, I can't imagine there would be too many local audio shops in Montana that had a lot of experience with late model Mercedes and fiber optic connections, either.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 639
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
I have to agree with Benzben. No matter what, there is going to be some amount of money involved.
Replace the headunit: $$$
Possible amp replacement if that's the symptom, and not the amp - $$
Just go aftermarket: this is only worth doing if you're going to put in a good headunit, because of the associated cost of a re-wire on the car.
I think you're just going to have to be ok spending money. Here's the thing: if you can make yourself wait, and not rush, then save up the cash over a few months. That way, when it's time to spend the money, be it a little or a lot, you have it, and it won't hurt. Spending money you don't have is always more painful than spending existing cash that was set aside for a specific purpose.
Figure out what you want the solution to be, work extra to save up the money quicker, and then spend cash so it's a win for you no matter how you choose to fix the problem.
My two cents.
Replace the headunit: $$$
Possible amp replacement if that's the symptom, and not the amp - $$
Just go aftermarket: this is only worth doing if you're going to put in a good headunit, because of the associated cost of a re-wire on the car.
I think you're just going to have to be ok spending money. Here's the thing: if you can make yourself wait, and not rush, then save up the cash over a few months. That way, when it's time to spend the money, be it a little or a lot, you have it, and it won't hurt. Spending money you don't have is always more painful than spending existing cash that was set aside for a specific purpose.
Figure out what you want the solution to be, work extra to save up the money quicker, and then spend cash so it's a win for you no matter how you choose to fix the problem.
My two cents.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 15
From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
Hello,
First, thank you for your service in the Air Force. Much appreciated.
I have a slightly different idea of what might be wrong with your audio system.
First, lets clear up a few misconceptions about the sound system. The sound is pretty darn good. You will spend huge money to duplicate it with after market components. After market stuff will not integrate the same with steering wheel controls and the multi-function display. The speakers are tuned for the car, and are connected by wires from the amp. There are nine physical speakers with a Logic 7 system. The MOST fiber optic cables carry the sound data from the head unit to the amplifier. There is no no fiber optic connection to the speakers themselves. The input to the amplifier is, however, only via fiber optic cables, so a new head unit from an after market source would need a MOST fiber optic output.
I am suspicious that the problems you mention are caused by the output connector to the speakers. This is a Tyco/Amp connector that has 21 tin pins to carry the voltage to the speakers. Tin has a problem with corrosion. Living in Florida, you are aware of the moist humid salt air. It might have caused contact problems with the connector. The poping of the speakers and the volume changes lead me to suspect this. There is a microphone above the front seat passenger's head that is connected to this connector that is used to adjust the volume based on ambient noise. (notice they placed it near where the woman usually sits.) The photo shows the 21 pin connector on the right. You can clean it with isopropyl alcohol.
The connector on the left is for the two MOST fiber optics cables and the four pins are for power and the "wake up" signal.
You will find the amp on the right rear wheel arch under the carpet in the trunk.
First, thank you for your service in the Air Force. Much appreciated.
I have a slightly different idea of what might be wrong with your audio system.
First, lets clear up a few misconceptions about the sound system. The sound is pretty darn good. You will spend huge money to duplicate it with after market components. After market stuff will not integrate the same with steering wheel controls and the multi-function display. The speakers are tuned for the car, and are connected by wires from the amp. There are nine physical speakers with a Logic 7 system. The MOST fiber optic cables carry the sound data from the head unit to the amplifier. There is no no fiber optic connection to the speakers themselves. The input to the amplifier is, however, only via fiber optic cables, so a new head unit from an after market source would need a MOST fiber optic output.
I am suspicious that the problems you mention are caused by the output connector to the speakers. This is a Tyco/Amp connector that has 21 tin pins to carry the voltage to the speakers. Tin has a problem with corrosion. Living in Florida, you are aware of the moist humid salt air. It might have caused contact problems with the connector. The poping of the speakers and the volume changes lead me to suspect this. There is a microphone above the front seat passenger's head that is connected to this connector that is used to adjust the volume based on ambient noise. (notice they placed it near where the woman usually sits.) The photo shows the 21 pin connector on the right. You can clean it with isopropyl alcohol.
The connector on the left is for the two MOST fiber optics cables and the four pins are for power and the "wake up" signal.
You will find the amp on the right rear wheel arch under the carpet in the trunk.
