2007 CLK 350 Cab - how to bypass FO loop
 

My satellite receiver has died and should be replaced. Thanks to Rudeney, I was advised, with pictures, on where to find it in my trunk. In my attempt to tear apart my trunk, thanks to "ingenious" MB engineering, I found myself unable to complete the task. I ripped out as much trunk liner as I could, then went to work on the screws holding the covering panel down, and could not get at all of them. It appears I also need to remove some of the trunk partition mechanisms and coverings just to get back there. I'm 6'7" and my back is toast. I cannot for the life of me get at all of the crap that needs to be removed just so I can remove the screws on that covering plate. After 2 hours I gave up. My query now: Fine! I'll live without satellite radio. On a cold start, my FM radio works, as does my CD changer. It's the sat radio searching to "acquire a signal" that finally shuts down the whole audio system. I get a sense now why my local audio shop asked $600 to swap out the unit. (even on a bad day, would never pay this). This whole episode particularly burns me as my first job was as an installer for Marantz audio units.

What I want to ask now, is there any other access point to bypass the SDAR satellite radio unit, that is more easily accessible?

To bypass it, you need to get to its fiber optic connector, unplug it, and then "loop" it. Unfortunately, that means removing all that paneling to get to the SDAR module.