golfinator

Had to disconnect the pwr antenna, it kept going up and down while driving. At the same time, the speakers would make a snapping/cracking sound each time the antenna changed direction. Even after disconnecting the antenna, I had to disconnect the front left dash speaker to get rid of the cracking sound. Of course, I now only have fm recept. Also, I can turn the radio on with the key out of the ignition. Appreciate any help or suggestions.

Chappy

Do you have the factory phone? I wonder if you're experiencing a short with the phone/antenna connection...

shdoug

The radio being able to be turned on w/o the ignition is normal. If the ignition and radio are both on, and you turn off the ignition the radio should turn off. Then if you push the button you can turn it back on.

The antenna and speaker pop sounds like maybe a bad head unit. I had mine rebuilt by a place in Chicago (I think) but I can't remember the name of it. The radio removes in seconds if you have the 2 keys. If you don't, a small pocket knife blade, about a quarter inch wide also works well.

golfinator

Thanks guys. I don't have a factory phone and, if there ever was one, I would'nt know where to look for the original connection. I've been to my parts man and he let let switch out a few used radios with mine before I disconnected the antenna. The problem was there with each radio. As far as the on/off, everthing is apparently working correctly. Thanks again.

GORBETTTEAM

REF. NO. MBNA 82/78

TO: OUR MERCEDES-BENZ PASSENGER CAR DEALERS

DATE: September 1994

SUBJECT:
ALL MODELS WITH BECKER RADIO (P/N 003 820 36 86) AS OF M.Y. 1994
RADIO DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION
PIC #1



The Becker radio introduced on model year 1994 vehicles has a two-level diagnostic mode. This allows technicians to verify the information on the table shown.

Radio must be turned ON and coded to enter diagnostic mode.

Each step in the entry process must be completed within four seconds.

To enter Level One Diagnostic Mode
PIC #2



1. Press the Bass/Treble selector button (3) on the faceplate. The LCD display should read BASS.

2. Simultaneously press the AM/FM (6) and WB (7) buttons on the faceplate. The LCD display should read TEST.


To enter Level Two Diagnostic Mode

1. Follow procedure to enter Level One Diagnostic Mode.

2. Press the Track selector button (8, TRK). The LCD display should read TEST.

3. Simultaneously press the AM/FM (6) and WB (7) buttons on the faceplate. The LCD display should read BAW2.


To select the different Test Functions/Information (see table shown) press the seek tuning (SEEK) button (9).

The actual level, numerical value or visual indication for each test function can be accessed by pressing the manual tuning (TUNE) button (11).

Note: The values for GAL in Level Two Diagnostic Mode change according to vehicle speed.



Example of level one data
PIC #3

Example of Level Two data
PIC #4

golfinator

Thanks Gorbettteam. I'll give it a try and let you know.

shdoug

The connection is inside the armrest at the back. It likes to fill up with crumbs and debris over time.

rivcal4life

Sounds like a shorted remote line.

golfinator

Thanks shdoug. I found the phone connection. The entire receptacle and depression in front of it were filled with salt( the previous owner must have had an addiction). I was going to remove the phone plug, but couldn't figure out how to get the seat back cover off ( I found the 2 screws at the bottom, but removing them didn't help). Should I just cut the wire at the arm rest and stuff it back in the seat? Can't see any use for the connection any more.

golfinator

Thanks rivcal4life. Not sure what remote line I should be looking for and thanks for your reply.

shdoug

You can just remove the screws in the armrest, remove the whole insert, and clean out the connector. There are quite a few small screws as I recall but it's an easy task. Just be careful not to lose the screws. There's no handy place to put them while you are working on it.

golfinator

I removed the upper and lower inserts that are hinged together. The insert below the lower one is the one with the plug and it looked like it was glued in there. Thanks

rivcal4life

The remote line allows things like your radio, antenna, and amp if you have one to only receive power when your key is in the correct position. A working antenna is wired into your radio and will go up as long as your radio is powered on, and down when the radio is off. If the wire that sends that signal is disconnected, it could be randomly shorting itself against any metal surface in the car and sending a mixed signal to the antenna.

My first order of business would be to check the antenna itself and follow what is most likely the thinnest of wires coming from it and see if there were any obvious breaks. If not, remove the headunit and check all connections there. If still nothing was obvious, I would grab a voltmeter and check the connection.

Ive never had a carphone so I couldnt tell you if this is a more likely problem, but it is a completely possible option.

shdoug

I think if the short were in the phone connector it would mute the radio, but not activate the antenna. That's what mine was doing. I just snipped the wire at the radio and it fixed the muting problem. Yours sounds like something different.

Chappy

My understanding is that the antennas on the late model 124s had two separate power leads to the antenna...one from the radio and one from the phone. That way the antenna would raise to utilize the phone function, even if the radio were not in use.

golfinator

Hope this isn't one of those "now he tells us!". It's been a while since I disconnected the antenna, but I now recall it going up and down with the key out of the ignition and the radio off. You can imagine that this was disconcerting for a new passenger about to get in the car. Sorry for not remembering this earlier- probably has something to do with age.
Here are pictures of the antenna with a silver box on top. The thin blue wire does not show clearly. The flat black box in the other picture is connected to the silver box.

golfinator

Not sure what I'm looking at in these pictures. Any info would be appreciated.

golfinator

The radio and antenna have been working correctly for 3 days now! I made sure the blue wire to the antenna motor was not touching anything, cleaned the salt out of the phone jack in the armrest, reinstalled the front left dash speaker, and plugged in the antenna electrical connector. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.