AM radio
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 177
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From: Princeton NJ
2015 E350 4matic Sport and 2011 C300 4matic sport
AM radio
The AM portion of my radio picks up only static and very faint signals. I live about 50 miles from NYC and all my other cars had no problem picking up NYC signals. This AM radio can barely pick up a local station. The FM works perfectly even picking up NYC FM stations.
There must be a simple solution, but I cannot think of what it might be. The simplist to me is that the radio is not grounded properly but how could I check that?
I tried to check the wiring in the antenna but after taking out the hex screw, the unit would not budge from the rubber gasket and I did not want to risk tearing it.
Any suggestions including buying a portable radio would be appreciated. I miss "Imus in the morning" as I drive to work.
There must be a simple solution, but I cannot think of what it might be. The simplist to me is that the radio is not grounded properly but how could I check that?
I tried to check the wiring in the antenna but after taking out the hex screw, the unit would not budge from the rubber gasket and I did not want to risk tearing it.
Any suggestions including buying a portable radio would be appreciated. I miss "Imus in the morning" as I drive to work.
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 244
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From: Hunterdon County
'06 E 350 4matic wagon; '05 E 500 4matic sedan; '09 S550 4matic
I live in NJ and had that problem when my car was brand new. I brought the car in 4 times to fix. To their credit the dealer even swapped out the entire command unit but did not fix the problem. Ultimately it turned out to be a $15 faulty splitter which was fixed under warranty. Meanwhile I felt good that i had a $5000 free command unit upgrade and that the dealer kept on it until it was resolved. Don't let anyone use the line that you are in a "fringe" reception area, they tried that on the phone but the SA's kept with it even when they were skeptical and it had a good outcome.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 26
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From: Portland OR
1998 E320 Sedan
I have a 98 E320 that I've owned for 2 1/2 years. The AM is almost always 98% of time) static; occaisionally it works fine for a day or so. Part of the problem is the window-only antenna (which always works fine for both FM and weather band). I've paid the dealer to fix it, but it didn't help. Poor engineering is the problem.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Fullerton, CA
'07 R350. '05 C230. '93 454SS Truck. '71 Chevelle SS.
I think I've read somewhere that the radios are tuned Euro style and thus no AM reception. I don't know the technical lingo but someone please clarify....I live in SoCal and AM reception is crap. 
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 244
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From: Hunterdon County
'06 E 350 4matic wagon; '05 E 500 4matic sedan; '09 S550 4matic
Believe me, you can get to the bottom of it. First, find another owner or two of your same year model and park side by side in a place where you get poor reception. If the other guys get good reception and you don't it's a correctable problem. I had it from the day I picked up my 2001 until it was resolved several months later. They tried to tell me that it was the antenna, fringe area reception, they checked grounds, traced wires, swapped out entire command unit, went back and told me must be antenna/fringe. Each time I told them my neighbor has same car 100 yds from me and has beautiful AM reception. Finally they found splitter problem in my case and it has worked perfectly for four years, I pick up Canada, Detroit, DC, Balt, etc at night and everything you'd reasonably expect during the day.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 48
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From: Georgia
The splitters are a known fault. These cars do not get the best reception anyways. Most customers complain that "my chevy gets better reception" Well you chevy has a huge/ugle antenna on it while MB tries to make your car look better and put the antenna in the glass so it doesn't work as well.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 177
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From: Princeton NJ
2015 E350 4matic Sport and 2011 C300 4matic sport
radio
Sounds like splitter is at least looking at. Is there a splitter that is installed and bad or does it need to be installed. Where does it go? Thanks.
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Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 244
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From: Hunterdon County
'06 E 350 4matic wagon; '05 E 500 4matic sedan; '09 S550 4matic
Yes, it is already installed. But, a) I don't know where since mine was under warranty I didn't care, and b) It may not be a splitter issue.
Did you ever get decent AM reception? Do you know anyone else with a similar model where you could listen and compare reception?
Did you ever get decent AM reception? Do you know anyone else with a similar model where you could listen and compare reception?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 177
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From: Princeton NJ
2015 E350 4matic Sport and 2011 C300 4matic sport
splitter
I have never gotten good AM but have only had the car for two months. I will try to find another e 320 around here to test it with. Thanks
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 177
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From: Princeton NJ
2015 E350 4matic Sport and 2011 C300 4matic sport
am
I finally solved the problem by buying a $49.00 AM/FM Sony arm radio and sticking it in the visor for the moon roof. Perfect reception, just look a little goofy riding down the interstate with headphones attached to someithing in the roof...
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 23
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From: California
2000 E430
Had horrible AM reception on my 2000 E430 from the day I bought it (used). Took it back in to fix because I couldn't believe the reception could be that bad. I was ready for a fight, had the Porsche there to prove there was good AM signal to be had, but they just said ok, we'll find it and fix it.
Turns out it was bad AM Amplifier module, which failed the fault check. They replaced under warranty and for the last 3 years reception has been very good.
BTW, I don't think the factory radio (at least for MY 2000) is tuned to European specs for AM and it's been my experience that the sound system works just fine here in SoCal - assuming all the pieces are in good shape.
I would get it fixed if it were me, I was actually bringing a portable radio along in the car too, but I had to laugh at myself driving an MB, listening to a cheap $5 AM radio in the passenger seat.
Turns out it was bad AM Amplifier module, which failed the fault check. They replaced under warranty and for the last 3 years reception has been very good.
BTW, I don't think the factory radio (at least for MY 2000) is tuned to European specs for AM and it's been my experience that the sound system works just fine here in SoCal - assuming all the pieces are in good shape.
I would get it fixed if it were me, I was actually bringing a portable radio along in the car too, but I had to laugh at myself driving an MB, listening to a cheap $5 AM radio in the passenger seat.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 177
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From: Princeton NJ
2015 E350 4matic Sport and 2011 C300 4matic sport
portable radio
Thaks for the note. I tell people I have my million dollar dream car and I have to buy a 49 dollar sony to be able to listen to AM radio. I have an extended warrenty. I wonder if it is covered. I guess I could call and find out...
