C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

Audio Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Mar 11, 2002 | 06:19 PM
  #1  
Cullen's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo, MI
Audio Problem

Picked up my new coupe on Friday. On Sunday, i stopped to get gas. When i started it and hit the "CD" button, it said "No Changer" (of course i do have one). After the next restart though, it was working. The next day (Today) i drove in to work, everything working just fine. But then i took a co-worker for a ride, and neither the CD nor the radio worked! It said "no changer" and for the radio it would not emit any sound. How embarassing!

I took it to the dealer who worked on it right away. Unfortunately they have to order a part. Apparantly its a bad amplifier. Does it make sense that a bad amp could make the car not know it has a changer installed?

Oh well, hope that this is the only problem i ever have
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2002 | 06:42 PM
  #2  
Buellwinkle's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Suprisingly yes. MB through it's infinite wisdom created the DB2 fiber loop of the entire audio system. If the loop is broken because of a faulty fiber wire or device then the whole system fails. Now you know why a Benz costs more than a Honda, engineering like that doesn't come cheap.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2002 | 07:45 PM
  #3  
benzomonterey's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
03 W8 Passat Variant
I sure hope the autoweek people don't get ahold of this

They might claim our audio systems are built in Korea like our seats.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 12:55 AM
  #4  
WyattEarp's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
From: Deerfield Beach, FL
2006 MB C230 SS 6spd, Navi
Originally posted by Buellwinkle
Suprisingly yes. MB through it's infinite wisdom created the DB2 fiber loop of the entire audio system. If the loop is broken because of a faulty fiber wire or device then the whole system fails. Now you know why a Benz costs more than a Honda, engineering like that doesn't come cheap.
Hold up Buellwinkle I have a question.
"If the loop is broken because of a faulty fiber wire or device then the whole system fails."
Is that true?

<B><U>Example Given</U></B>
If I have a phone installed and the response from the protocol fails to report a phone, or the fiber loop to the phone is broken does my CD Changer fail to register or does this only apply within hierarchichally dependent elements?

I have to hazard a guess that the Engineers at MB did not build a tightly coupled system. State machines couple dependent or hierachical elements tightly. Is the Fiber Network in an MB designed in this manner or is it more loosely coupled as in 802.11b. Enquiring minds want to know.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 01:02 AM
  #5  
awiner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
If the fiber loop failes, you will lose all functionality since it is a loop system. If a compaonent goes bad, the systems may still function IF the failed componet still lets the light in the fiber pass.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 01:40 AM
  #6  
WyattEarp's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
From: Deerfield Beach, FL
2006 MB C230 SS 6spd, Navi
I guess then only the secondary systems are on fibre loop. Is that correct?
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 01:47 AM
  #7  
awiner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Originally posted by WyattEarp
I guess then only the secondary systems are on fibre loop. Is that correct?
The fiber loop includes (If Equipped): The Radio, Amp, CD Changer, TeleAid, Cell Phone, Voice Recognition Module.

There are other system in the vehicle that run off the CAN BUS both internal and external. I do not think these systems in the CAN Bus are fiber however. They prob. use multiplexed wiring for them.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 02:33 AM
  #8  
dasMafia's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
2000 BMW Z3 2.3 Roadster (hardtop current ly attached)
not that it is highly relevant, but this seems to be typical, my mom's ML320 had the same problem.

Last edited by dasMafia; Mar 12, 2002 at 02:36 AM.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

8 Mercedes Models With Poor Reliability Records

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Magnificent New Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Revealed: 12 Things to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 12, 2002 | 05:21 AM
  #9  
Richard's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 16
From: Berkshire, UK
2004 SL55, 2015 A250d, 2016 GLC250d
The can bus is a twisted pair bus that everything just connects to at some central point (in the drivers footwell I think). All systems listen, whoever needs/wants to transmits. For instance, selecting reverse the gear stick sends "driver selected reverse", another module turns on the reverse lights, the over-head-control panel tells the mirrors to un-dip etc etc

CANbus can cope with one of its pair shorted to ground, or to positive, and with lots of electical noise on the bus etc etc. Its essentially a serial bus.

There are two main CANbus's, one in the engine , one in the interior, that run at different speeds. The electronic ignition switch acts as a gateway between the two CANbus's.

As U can imagine, (1) CAN saves lots of wiring and (2) means lots more interaction between systems so you get nice functionality.

On the new SL, there is an additional diagnostic module that sits on the CANbus listening for interesting events that the dealer can then read, such as exactly why/what caused an alarm to trigger etc etc.


The D2B bus is used only for the audio systems, and in fact on the new E class is replaced with a system called MOST.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:27 PM.

story-0
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-1
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-5
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke

Slideshow: The 2027 update adds a fully digital steering system, revised styling, and potential charging upgrades as the company looks to revive interest in the luxury EV.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-04 10:24:38


VIEW MORE
story-8
8 Mercedes Models With Poor Reliability Records

Slideshow: From problematic air suspensions to early dual-clutch transmission issues, these specific models and years stand out as the least dependable modern Mercedes vehicles.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-26 18:08:10


VIEW MORE
story-9
Magnificent New Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Revealed: 12 Things to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-Maybach has refreshed the S-Class with new lighting signatures, AI-driven software, and even more elaborate rear-seat luxury.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-25 18:01:51


VIEW MORE