MBE430!

Hi all,

I have a question about my cd changer. It is reading that there is "No CD Changer" when i press button on deck. I have tried checking the connections and they all seem to be ok. this has happened a couple of times before but would be fine within a couple of min. Also, the cd changer would eject the magazine but that is it.

I looked on this forum and benzworld and saw a post about an individual who took apart the cd changer to fix it because it would not load any disks.

Does this seem like what i would have to do?

Thanks!

MBE430!

Hi all,

I was just wondering if anyone had an answer to the prior questions.

I also tried to to pull out the head unit and it asked me to enter a code. I guess I entered it wrong and gave me a wait message. I understand I have to wait 10 min for it to ask me the same question. How do I make it go back to the code entry? Where do I find my code?

I really need help with this one...I have no Radio ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.

saintz

There's a card that comes with the radio. If you're not the original owner, and it's not in the glove box or manual, it's probably gone. You'll need to call or visit your dealer to get the code.

Try unplugging the CD changer power cable (the non-orange cable). Replug the power in, and see if it works now.

MBE430!

I just got the code from the dealer and it works.

However I am still having trouble with my cd changer. I tried unplugging the connections on the cd changer and on the head unit, but it is still showing the same "No CD Changer" message.

Should I try something else?

Thanks

raymond g-

i would suggest trying to interrupt power to the head unit if you havent. not
just a momentary disconnect, but overnight. perhaps a 'reboot' of the head
unit will allow it to wake up and recognize the changer. i've worked on 4
E320s USA models and provided the HU and changer are fully functioning
and the connections intact that generally does the trick.

having said that, as i reread your posts, i see that this ailment is not new
and was sporadic earlier. perhaps those glitches were a harbinger of things
to come, ie pending failure. if so, i have no suggestions.

the MB changers for 210s are horribly primative and failure prone.

MBE430!

I disconnected the head unit for 24 hours, and still shows "No CD Changer" message. The CD changer seems to be working. Because I can still eject the cd cartridge. So it has to be something to be with the connection, not the cd changer, correct?

Do you think it could be a fuse?

MBE430!

I tried disconnecting everything. Even for a duration. I am going to the mechanic and see what he says. If it is going to cost alot. Just going to convert everything to an IPOD integration.

Thanks!

ohlord

a battery disconnect.You will need to sync your windows,etc. but it will allow the system to establish a new wake up cycle.

vinceC

The power disconnect trick probably won't work. The CD players go bad and that is one of the messeages you get. The other error you might get is "No CD".

The latter CD players seem to work better. I don't have the P/N handy, but I can dig it up if necessary. They are slightly smaller and you have to shim the case so they fit, but other than that they are reputed to be problem free.

fosmith

Are you referring to the CD changers from the M series?
Fred

vinceC

I don't know what series they come from. In fact, they may work in all series. I got the one I now have from SW Stereo Specialists (www.swstereo.com). I actually have the part number somewhere, but I haven't been able to locate it. My invoice simply says Mercedes OEM Changer A203.

fosmith

Is it this model?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/01-02...fCDQ5fChangers
Or this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-M...fCDQ5fChangers

raymond g-

you need to be aware that the 96-98 E series use conventional, analog
connectivity between head unit and CD changer.

the 99-02 E series uses digital, D2B fiber connection

the 211 E series use digital fiber, but M.O.S.T. standard connectivity

so be sure to cross check their compatibility with your model/year.

vinceC

fosmith - I believe the it is the first one. I would have to pull mine out to confirm the part number, but I know it was made in Hungary.

raymond g- I think we have assumed that the OP was referring to the later fiber optic units. The problems are typical of those units, whereas I have heard relatively few complaints about the earlier units.

fosmith

I agree that the OP was referring to later fiber optic units but was saying that the newer version of those is more reliable. I think the first one in my earlier post is one of the later style that fits the '99-'02 W210. They have a "sleeker" style sliding top cover. The second one in my earlier post is, I think, actually the type from the ML class and I don't think it has the same connectors as the first example in my earlier post and thus, is not compatible with the '99-'02 W210, regardless of what the ebay listing says.
Freed

ohlord

many a changer has been declared dead when it was merely a wake up call that needed to be reestablished.Let him give it a try before pronouncing the unit kaput.

vinceC

ohlord - I have seen a ton of these changers fail. Some "wake up" for a short while only to fail again a short while later. The ones made in Japan and China, installed in many models from 1999-2002 seemed to be the problem units. A few shops around the country claimed to be able to repair them, but the success rate wasn't very good and the charges were around $300.

I've still got two in my attic that I will give to anyone (recipient pays shipping) who wants them if they want to try the "wake up" trick.

jhkanda

I have a 99 CLK 320 cab that didn't come with a changer when I bought it but from what I have read the W208's came wired for them. If you are giving those units in your attic away as long as the recipient pays for shipping and you think one would fit a W208 I would be up for that.

vinceC

They are the same type installed in the 1999 CLK. PM me your name and address. I will get an estimate for shipping and get back to you. I assume UPS Ground will be OK.

Ipswich77

try this, a suggested fix from another forum--I did this and it worked for me, and it was simple--
`````````````````````````````````````````````````` `````````````````````````
note: there will be no pictures....

These old MB CD changers have been driving me NUTS!! I have been trying to fix this sucker for literally 9 months since i got my car, and after many temporary fixes i FINALLY found the perfect solution.

Tools & Supplies:
- Black electrical tape
- scissors
- phillips screw driver
- corn pads (optional)
- Memorex (or any other brand) CD Lens cleaner

Step one (picture 1):

Pull trunk carpet up and locate the two mounts w/ the phillips screws in them. Unscrew the two screws and place them in a safe location where they will not get lost.

Step two (pic 2):

apply corn pads over screw holes, feel free to double or triple stack. (this is to provide cushioning)

Step three (pics 3 & 4 & 5 ):

Pull up the entire housing and look at the wires below. You can see there is one tiny plug and one large plug. The tiny plug works great, it is the power cable.

The big plug is the culprit we all love to hate. It is the very reason why thousands of MB owners have had to replace their stereos & CD changers MULTIPLE times. It is the worse designed plug I have ever seen. It hangs in the slot all loosey goosey and is why we get the dreaded "Magazine Empty" & "NO CD Changer" errors. Pull both plugs out.

Step four, optional (pics 6 & 7):

This is to adjust the orentation of the CD player from horizontal to vertical or vice versa. Take the large steel casing mount off the CD changer via the 4 phillips screws. Then take off the sticker covering the holes. and just mose the silver spring mount from H to V or anywhere in between (for diagonal mounting). once done reapply sticker.

Step 5 (pic 8) :

apply padding of some kind to the rubber bottom mounts. I used the fluffy velcro side but you can use something else if you like.

Step 6 (pics 9):

This is by far the most crucial step. The big plug is so poorly design that its always shifting about. So what you have to do is essentially create a "sling" out of black electrical tape to help need the plug "plugged in" all the way so the plug is in as far as it will go (normally there is literally 1/8th - 1/4 inch play, thats how loose it gets). I chose black electrical tape for a few reasons: one its very cheap. Two its black so it won't stand out. three, its very sticky and will last a very long time even in hot conditions. Four, it has elastic properties so it creates the proper amount of tension for the plug.

Step 7 (pic 10):

Use a CD lens cleaner like this Memorex one in order to clean the lens.

Now my CD player is bulletproof and never skips and never lags or takes a while for the song to start playing.


To Sum up:

- Black Electrica tape = $2
- CD lens cleaner ~ $10
- Tools = you already own them
- knowing that you fixed your CD changer for under $15 while most other MB guys had to replace their headunit & CD Changer multiple times and still having figured out the problem... = $ PRICELESS


As a side note:

-If you are having the "Empty Magazine" or "NO CD CHANGER" warning its probably the big plug (aka the ***** plug) itself.

-If your CD changer plays fine on certain sections of the CD but not on others (Mine would always get stuck on song 8), then its probably a dirty CD lens

This process should fix pretty much any issues you are having with your CD player. Anyways... ENJOY!

~Omey~

monsterman75

Did anyone else verify this or try it? The head unit knows when the magazine is out, but once the magazine is installed I get the "Magazine Empty" message.

I have tried the reset suggested in another post by holding down the Eject button. No success.

monsterman75

I tried all the fixes, save a battery disconnect. I am thinking about a disconnect and will do so when I have a Saturday morning free to fight with all the resynch processes.

kbad

if you have the d2b fiber ring then here's a test.....the hu is the master in the ring (depending on car model and system config, components could include: hu, phone, steering controls, telaid, remote cd changer, etc.).....if you disconnect any component but the hu, then you will hear an intermittent beep from the d2b control system (i.e. hu, since it is the master) looking to acknowledge device presence at the fiber termination points....

....so, disconnect the fiber connection (orange cable, it's on bottom of cd changer unit mounted in trunk, and be careful with it, it contains fragile glass fibers - so don't bend hard!) and the hu should beep for the missing component, seeking acknowledgment of the termination device.....if you plug the cd changer back in and the beep goes away, then the fiber is good and units are communicating....problem is in cd changer and perhaps the ribbon cable!

....if you remove the changer from the car and remove the screws holding the cover over the ribbon connector, you may be able to see if that is the culprit - on mine, the trace was lifting from the board making random contact - what crap! - i've yanked that stupid thing and am using it as a glorified door stop now - more useful than dead weight in trunk! ...mind you, i am about to change out the hu soon....

...hey did you know the hu has a removable security 'key' feature????....open cassette door and look to left top corner....there is a little recessed button that if you push will pop out the 'left' control panel for security purpose! hmmmm!

....attached is an mb d2b config bulletin that should give you some troubleshooting ideas....good luck!

saintz

Personally, I had so much trouble with my changer that I threw it out and got an iPod adapter. Way, way better. Dension has a new model that looks like it will work and it's only $250. No more messing with the CD changer. You could always try buying a used changer for $100 on eBay. If that fixes the problem, yours might be dead (they fritz out sometimes). If it doesn't fix the problem, you can always resell it.

monsterman75

I might just do that, get the ipod adapter. But it is nice to have the cd player. When I get a chance I am going to look through kBad's link. There may be some other problem as the radio controls do not appear on the multifunctional display on the dash.