Poor AM Radio Reception
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Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 203
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From: NY
2015 ML350 4Matic
Poor AM Radio Reception
Does anybody listen to AM radio?
I think that M/B doesn't think so!
The reception in my car is horrible.
Every time the car goes in for service, I get the same response, the antenna bar was defective so it was replaced.
The radio works well for a little while and then back to static.
Anyone else have problems with their reception?
Any idea on how to fix it? Is there a fix?
I think that M/B doesn't think so!
The reception in my car is horrible.
Every time the car goes in for service, I get the same response, the antenna bar was defective so it was replaced.
The radio works well for a little while and then back to static.
Anyone else have problems with their reception?
Any idea on how to fix it? Is there a fix?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Are your windows tinted...if so this can can some am problems. If not the is adealer service tsb re poor am reception, sorry I don't know the # but it has something to do with the am splitter
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 526
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From: From Oxnard; living in Ocean View Hills, San Diego, CA
'01 C320 SS
I have the same problem, had it "fixed" and it's almost as bad as before. My other cars and a & a $3.00 radio get much better than the Merc.
I do use my a.m. alot; mostly for news, and traffic....
I dunno, maybe someone has "bypassed the the connector and installed thier own antenna/amp.
I do use my a.m. alot; mostly for news, and traffic....
I dunno, maybe someone has "bypassed the the connector and installed thier own antenna/amp.
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
I had to have my headliner dropped to repair some hail damage last year. After the shop put everything back together, I noticed the AM reception was definitely worse. I spoke to the MB shop foreman who told me there is an antenna amplifier "bar" running under the headliner near the rear window -- you can reach up through the small space between the glass and the headliner and feel it. If this bar becomes at all separated from the glass, AM reception will be seriously affected.
Try what he suggested to me to prove this -- when the reception is poor, park and reach up and press that bar to the glass. If the reception clears up, voila!, that's the problem. I'm not sure if this is the "bar" you're referring to in your post.
When I demonstrated this to the headliner shop they finally believed me. They adjusted the headliner so it didn't push on the antenna bar and it has worked fine ever since.
Try what he suggested to me to prove this -- when the reception is poor, park and reach up and press that bar to the glass. If the reception clears up, voila!, that's the problem. I'm not sure if this is the "bar" you're referring to in your post.
When I demonstrated this to the headliner shop they finally believed me. They adjusted the headliner so it didn't push on the antenna bar and it has worked fine ever since.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Originally posted by MarkL
I spoke to the MB shop foreman who told me there is an antenna amplifier "bar" running under the headliner near the rear window --
I spoke to the MB shop foreman who told me there is an antenna amplifier "bar" running under the headliner near the rear window --
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 203
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From: NY
2015 ML350 4Matic
Thanks for the help. I will try to reach up and shove it. I'll keep you posted.
The dealer claimed that the antenna bars were defective and had replaced them. It starts off great then gets progressively worse.
I also use AM for traffic and news on the go.
For some reason the Tele-Aid Traffic feature never reports the traffic that I am stuck in.
The dealer claimed that the antenna bars were defective and had replaced them. It starts off great then gets progressively worse.
I also use AM for traffic and news on the go.
For some reason the Tele-Aid Traffic feature never reports the traffic that I am stuck in.
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From: Obama Land
K Car
I listen to AM every day on the way to work, and then on the way home. I've never had a problem with reception, except of course when it's raining and the windshield wipers are on. Then I get a little bit of static.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 203
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From: NY
2015 ML350 4Matic
Wow, I reached up there, pressed the pieces snug agains the rear window and amazingly it worked.
At least for a few minutes.
I guess the adhesive is having a hard time holding the antenna bar in place.
I guess I should have someone from MBUSA sit in the back seat and hold it in place.
I'll have to bring it up at my next service
Thanks for your help
At least for a few minutes.
I guess the adhesive is having a hard time holding the antenna bar in place.
I guess I should have someone from MBUSA sit in the back seat and hold it in place.
I'll have to bring it up at my next service
Thanks for your help
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,230
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
Originally posted by EDC320
Wow, I reached up there, pressed the pieces snug agains the rear window and amazingly it worked.
At least for a few minutes.
I guess the adhesive is having a hard time holding the antenna bar in place.
I guess I should have someone from MBUSA sit in the back seat and hold it in place.
I'll have to bring it up at my next service
Thanks for your help
Wow, I reached up there, pressed the pieces snug agains the rear window and amazingly it worked.
At least for a few minutes.
I guess the adhesive is having a hard time holding the antenna bar in place.
I guess I should have someone from MBUSA sit in the back seat and hold it in place.
I'll have to bring it up at my next service
Thanks for your help
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C240
I have a 2003 C240 which has had terrible AM radio reception since day one. I reached up between the headliner and the rear window and "bingo" the amplifier bar was hanging down as the contact points with the adhesive on them had "let go" over time. I pressed the bar up tight to the contact points and it worked perfectly. Put some new adhesive on and the problem was solved. Thanks for the help!
