Radio Woes
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 153
Likes: 9
From: Arkansas
2003 CLK 320 convertible
Radio Woes
Car is a 2003 CLK320 Cabriolet with the Bose radio and a CD changer in the trunk.
Last week on a trip the display on the radio died, It just went away. You can still turn the radio on and off with the on/off switch on the radio face. You can tune the radio stations manually with the buttons on the radio, you can play cassettes and CD, In fact everything works except you are doing everything blind. While the radio is on or off you can use the buttons on the steering wheel to go to the audio section and it shows the radio is off even when it's on. The volume control buttons on the steering wheel work. I hope all that is a clear description of the problem I'm experiencing. Everything else, non-radio related, on the steering wheels controls functions as normal.
What's the consensus? Can the radio be repaired or should I just replace it.
Last week on a trip the display on the radio died, It just went away. You can still turn the radio on and off with the on/off switch on the radio face. You can tune the radio stations manually with the buttons on the radio, you can play cassettes and CD, In fact everything works except you are doing everything blind. While the radio is on or off you can use the buttons on the steering wheel to go to the audio section and it shows the radio is off even when it's on. The volume control buttons on the steering wheel work. I hope all that is a clear description of the problem I'm experiencing. Everything else, non-radio related, on the steering wheels controls functions as normal.
What's the consensus? Can the radio be repaired or should I just replace it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
The radio was obsolete when new. 15 years later it's really time to replace it. I replaced mine a long time ago. A new head unit with Android Auto or Apple car play will make you realize just how old the OE tech was. Head unit swaps can retain the multifunction steering wheel controls and the Bose amps/speakers.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 153
Likes: 9
From: Arkansas
2003 CLK 320 convertible
The radio was obsolete when new. 15 years later it's really time to replace it. I replaced mine a long time ago. A new head unit with Android Auto or Apple car play will make you realize just how old the OE tech was. Head unit swaps can retain the multifunction steering wheel controls and the Bose amps/speakers.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
If I had to guess, I'd say the radio itself. To know for sure you'd have to run diagnostics on the radio, or swap a known working unit in its place. The radio sends a signal to the TFT in the dash. I don't know of any other place in the car that's involved in the head unit display.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 153
Likes: 9
From: Arkansas
2003 CLK 320 convertible
If I had to guess, I'd say the radio itself. To know for sure you'd have to run diagnostics on the radio, or swap a known working unit in its place. The radio sends a signal to the TFT in the dash. I don't know of any other place in the car that's involved in the head unit display.
I assume the changer will become redundant and can be removed.
Last edited by jinark; Jul 10, 2018 at 02:05 PM. Reason: adding text
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 153
Likes: 9
From: Arkansas
2003 CLK 320 convertible
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 153
Likes: 9
From: Arkansas
2003 CLK 320 convertible
Anyway, I'll replace it if it dies again, For now I'm satisfied, since all I listen to is FM and the MP3 player I installed the aftermarket aux input jack for years ago.Thanks again for the help though.
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
