Speakers Melting
06-07-2018, 03:24 PM
#51
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E350 mercedes-Benz 2014
Yes , Same dealer , they declined they had fixed same issue before and they will need MB USA approval to fix the issue with no cost to me , ( I paid ($170) for diagnostics and they didn't even open the panels and virtually checked the speaker).... I contacted MB-USA 3 times and they only offering 10% as my car out of warranty.. so sad.
06-08-2018, 01:56 PM
#52
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yes , Same dealer , they declined they had fixed same issue before and they will need MB USA approval to fix the issue with no cost to me , ( I paid ($170) for diagnostics and they didn't even open the panels and virtually checked the speaker).... I contacted MB-USA 3 times and they only offering 10% as my car out of warranty.. so sad.
MB charges a lot because the work of doing the job. It takes some time to remove the shelf but as I have done it 3 times on my car it really is not that difficult.
06-08-2018, 05:51 PM
#53
Super Member
If it is just the speaker why don’t you fix it yourself? That rear window shelf comes out quite easily. Can’t imagine a good speaker would cost more than a $150 or so.
MB charges a lot because the work of doing the job. It takes some time to remove the shelf but as I have done it 3 times on my car it really is not that difficult.
06-08-2018, 08:56 PM
#54
MBWorld Fanatic!
Unfortunately, the speakers used are not standard sizes or shapes. There is no listed "drop-in" replacement for those used in this car. To replace them with aftermarket speakers, especially the ones in the rear deck will require some sheet metal cutting and other custom brackets. Also, I am not sure if the impedance of these speakers is a standard value or not. Lexus, for one, does not use standard impedance speakers, so one must do some custom impedance-matching to swap the speakers out without risking overheating the amps.
What vomes to imbedance of the speaker you have some tolerance with it and if the speaker comes with too low impedance it can be raised up easily with a simple resistor.
06-09-2018, 10:25 AM
#55
Super Member
Arrie - Not to start a flame war, but I beg to differ on all points. First, although Mercedes does not make their own speakers, they do have their speakers made to MB's specifications - size, impedance, power handling capabilities, frequency response, etc. The speakers are made by some company, but the rear deck speakers in a W212 sedan are definitely NOT a standard size. If they were, all the component suppliers would list replacements for them. Even Crutchfield, arguably one of the best-informed and most capable suppliers has no replacement listed. If you look at the online sale ads for used speakers, the picture shows a rectangular speaker assembly holding a separate woofer and tweeter/mid-range. There are virtually NO replacement speakers in this shape and configuration.
As for impedance, I think you may have missed a lesson or two in basic electronics. Impedance is an AC function, not to be confused with resistance, which is a DC function. Audio signals are a form of AC, not DC, so the insertion of a series or parallel resistance will only alter the DC state of the circuit, not the AC state, which is impedance. Most often impedance matching is accomplished via the use of one form of transformer or another, but in applications such as speaker matching, there are few, if any, suitable transformers available. One would have to find a transformer with the appropriate turns ratio and power handling capabilities in order to match a speaker of one impedance to an amp of another. If you take a resistance reading across the terminals of a 4-ohm speaker, you most certainly will NOT read 4 ohms. It will read much lower resistance, even close to a dead short circuit.
The way I managed to match a replacement sub to a Mark Levinson audio system in a Lexus was to run the speaker-level signal into a line-level converter, which converts the (in Lexus' system) 2-ohm impedance to a high-impedance signal (think RCA phono jacks), which I then fed into a separate amplifier to power the speakers. Many have done this with the MB/HK systems, so the electronics is fairly straightforward. The larger issue is fitting a suitable speaker into the car. These cars are simply not designed to allow easy speaker swaps or additions. I've done some on my old W201, with only mediocre results. I haven't yet tried on the W212, but sooner or later I'll go nuts with the stock system and get to the drawing board.
As for impedance, I think you may have missed a lesson or two in basic electronics. Impedance is an AC function, not to be confused with resistance, which is a DC function. Audio signals are a form of AC, not DC, so the insertion of a series or parallel resistance will only alter the DC state of the circuit, not the AC state, which is impedance. Most often impedance matching is accomplished via the use of one form of transformer or another, but in applications such as speaker matching, there are few, if any, suitable transformers available. One would have to find a transformer with the appropriate turns ratio and power handling capabilities in order to match a speaker of one impedance to an amp of another. If you take a resistance reading across the terminals of a 4-ohm speaker, you most certainly will NOT read 4 ohms. It will read much lower resistance, even close to a dead short circuit.
The way I managed to match a replacement sub to a Mark Levinson audio system in a Lexus was to run the speaker-level signal into a line-level converter, which converts the (in Lexus' system) 2-ohm impedance to a high-impedance signal (think RCA phono jacks), which I then fed into a separate amplifier to power the speakers. Many have done this with the MB/HK systems, so the electronics is fairly straightforward. The larger issue is fitting a suitable speaker into the car. These cars are simply not designed to allow easy speaker swaps or additions. I've done some on my old W201, with only mediocre results. I haven't yet tried on the W212, but sooner or later I'll go nuts with the stock system and get to the drawing board.
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07-30-2018, 09:06 AM
#56
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2014 E350
Speakers Melting
Update. Mercedes replaced my melted speakers, and at least one that wasn't melting (left rear door). Since I have 70K miles and no warranty, they did it as "goodwill" but I'm assuming they know there is a problem on some of these.
Car was in the shop for exactly one week, and they gave me a brand new C300 to drive. I gotta say, I'd take my 70K mile almost 3 year old E350 over a new C300 any day of the week. I couldn't wait to get out of that C class. But at least it had the AMG styling package so it looked decent on the exterior. Can't say much for the rest of the car though.
I assume I won't have any more melting speakers until next summer, that'll be the test. Because all of my speakers melted on over 90 degree days, after car was sitting in the sun for a while (guessing it was 100-120F inside the car when I got in). But hopefully my issues are gone forever...it'll be my daughter's car in no time at all, so fingers crossed!
Car was in the shop for exactly one week, and they gave me a brand new C300 to drive. I gotta say, I'd take my 70K mile almost 3 year old E350 over a new C300 any day of the week. I couldn't wait to get out of that C class. But at least it had the AMG styling package so it looked decent on the exterior. Can't say much for the rest of the car though.
I assume I won't have any more melting speakers until next summer, that'll be the test. Because all of my speakers melted on over 90 degree days, after car was sitting in the sun for a while (guessing it was 100-120F inside the car when I got in). But hopefully my issues are gone forever...it'll be my daughter's car in no time at all, so fingers crossed!
I have owned my car for 4 years and nothing remotely has happened like this...was heading out for the night and all of a sudden the popping noise from front center third speaker and awful burning smell...thanks for the video with sound. Taking the car in to the local MB dealer and demanding theu replce with no cost to me. I have 67000...certified used car purchase.
07-30-2018, 11:43 AM
#57
Member
Unfortunately, the speakers used are not standard sizes or shapes. There is no listed "drop-in" replacement for those used in this car. To replace them with aftermarket speakers, especially the ones in the rear deck will require some sheet metal cutting and other custom brackets. Also, I am not sure if the impedance of these speakers is a standard value or not. Lexus, for one, does not use standard impedance speakers, so one must do some custom impedance-matching to swap the speakers out without risking overheating the amps.
07-30-2018, 07:14 PM
#58
Super Member
Shack, I am well aware that the rear deck speakers are mounted in a plastic housing. What I meant was that if you choose to do without that plastic insert, there is no standard speaker size that fits into the resulting opening. You would have to fabricate a new mounting board. And, if you intended to install a larger speaker, say an 8-inch woofer, you would have to do more fabrication and possibly cut the hole in the package shelf larger. The shelf just is not that deep front to back, especially if you have the power-operated rear sun shade.
This is different than my old 2001 Lexus LS430, which had a standard-sized round 8-inch woofer in the package shelf. That one was easy to swap out without any fabrication, and looked totally stock. In my old W201 MB (190E-2.3) I had to mount plate-mount 2-way speakers in the package shelf and then remove the first aid kit which was mounted in the rear parcel shelf to have space to mount a couple of small woofers.
I don't think I have the skills to alter the W212, and with the growing complexity of the sound systems and data bus, I wouldn't even try it.
This is different than my old 2001 Lexus LS430, which had a standard-sized round 8-inch woofer in the package shelf. That one was easy to swap out without any fabrication, and looked totally stock. In my old W201 MB (190E-2.3) I had to mount plate-mount 2-way speakers in the package shelf and then remove the first aid kit which was mounted in the rear parcel shelf to have space to mount a couple of small woofers.
I don't think I have the skills to alter the W212, and with the growing complexity of the sound systems and data bus, I wouldn't even try it.
12-05-2018, 03:41 PM
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2014 E350 4matic Sedan
Melting Speakers 2014 E350
Hey,
I just experienced the same issue with the melting rear passenger and front driver side speakers (crackling, burning, smoke filled vehicle while driving with no audio) only it was only 40 degrees out. Of course it's not a "know issue" and there are no recalls so I have to pay for replacements. I just filed a complaint (https://www.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/,
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=11156393) with NHTSA @ www.safercar.gov and suggest that everyone do the same.
I just experienced the same issue with the melting rear passenger and front driver side speakers (crackling, burning, smoke filled vehicle while driving with no audio) only it was only 40 degrees out. Of course it's not a "know issue" and there are no recalls so I have to pay for replacements. I just filed a complaint (https://www.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/,
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=11156393) with NHTSA @ www.safercar.gov and suggest that everyone do the same.
Last edited by Shante B; 12-05-2018 at 03:48 PM.
07-28-2019, 09:36 PM
#60
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2015 ML400 4MATIC, 2014 E350 4MATIC, 2006 E350
Add me to the list have a 2014 E350 with 112,000KM. Subwoofer is going off constantly. and there’s this burning smell in the trunk.
07-29-2019, 01:17 PM
#61
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2015 ML400 4MATIC, 2014 E350 4MATIC, 2006 E350
07-29-2019, 01:21 PM
#62
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'71 Pinto
Blair Creed, VP Customer Services
Mercedes-Benz Canada
Blair.creed@mercedes-benz.ca
If email is bounced: https://www.mercedes-benz.ca/en/contact-us/overview
07-29-2019, 01:45 PM
#63
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2015 ML400 4MATIC, 2014 E350 4MATIC, 2006 E350
Only one way to find out:
Blair Creed, VP Customer Services
Mercedes-Benz Canada
Blair.creed@mercedes-benz.ca
If email is bounced: https://www.mercedes-benz.ca/en/contact-us/overview
Blair Creed, VP Customer Services
Mercedes-Benz Canada
Blair.creed@mercedes-benz.ca
If email is bounced: https://www.mercedes-benz.ca/en/contact-us/overview
Thanks! Just emailed him. Hope to hear him respond soon
Last edited by ml3504matic____; 07-29-2019 at 01:51 PM.
07-29-2019, 08:26 PM
#65
MBWorld Fanatic!
Burning smell and smoke in car and no re-call??!!??
Hope you guys don’t park your cars in garages or too close to your homes or other cars.
Hope you guys don’t park your cars in garages or too close to your homes or other cars.
07-30-2019, 10:14 PM
#66
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2015 ML400 4MATIC, 2014 E350 4MATIC, 2006 E350
Just got my quote in from my Mercedes Dealer after spending almost $200 in diagnostic fees to find out a subwoofer is the cause for all of this. The technician said it was due to a wire not being grounded that caused all of this. Total damage is $1500 CAD. The service advisor told me that they’re applying for goodwill coverage, but they’re saying it’s a slim chance of it getting covered. sigh
07-31-2019, 06:42 PM
#67
MBWorld Fanatic!
Just got my quote in from my Mercedes Dealer after spending almost $200 in diagnostic fees to find out a subwoofer is the cause for all of this. The technician said it was due to a wire not being grounded that caused all of this. Total damage is $1500 CAD. The service advisor told me that they’re applying for goodwill coverage, but they’re saying it’s a slim chance of it getting covered. sigh
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10-01-2019, 02:53 PM
#68
My 2014 e400 having the same issue, burning smell and crackling sound above dashboard
So my saga continues. First, the rear passenger door speaker (the larger midrange one) started making popping, crackling, strange sounds. It then started burning (strong smell)...so I removed the door panel and discovered the center of the speaker cone was melting. I disconnected it.
Now the rear factory sub is making the same sounds.
It's been pretty hot here (100+F), and my car sits all day in the sun sometimes.
The radio was not in use during the noises/melting. It was on, but volume was at zero. I turned the unit off at the first sign of problems, but apparently the head unit doesn't need to be on, because the sounds and melting continued.
Another note, if I walk out to my locked car and press unlock on the key fob, the sounds and melting start before I even put the key into the ignition.
Does anyone have a similar experience or any advice? I currently have both speakers disconnected so I don't have to hear all of the crazy noise and smell the roasting plastic & rubber. Now I'm worried I'll slowly be melting them all because of defective materials.
I'm curious if MB will help me with this (2014 but out of warranty, 65K miles), since it is not a user issue and should not be happening to such a new car (and I almost always don't listen to anything, but if I am listening to something it's primarily talk radio). These speakers are expensive and I don't want to throw a bunch of money into replacing them, just to have it happen again.
My gut tells me this only happens on 100+F days and the car sitting in the sun for hours before I drive...so the speakers have inferior glues/adhesives and start melting, causing the speaker to short out (which is making all of the sounds).??
Now the rear factory sub is making the same sounds.
It's been pretty hot here (100+F), and my car sits all day in the sun sometimes.
The radio was not in use during the noises/melting. It was on, but volume was at zero. I turned the unit off at the first sign of problems, but apparently the head unit doesn't need to be on, because the sounds and melting continued.
Another note, if I walk out to my locked car and press unlock on the key fob, the sounds and melting start before I even put the key into the ignition.
Does anyone have a similar experience or any advice? I currently have both speakers disconnected so I don't have to hear all of the crazy noise and smell the roasting plastic & rubber. Now I'm worried I'll slowly be melting them all because of defective materials.
I'm curious if MB will help me with this (2014 but out of warranty, 65K miles), since it is not a user issue and should not be happening to such a new car (and I almost always don't listen to anything, but if I am listening to something it's primarily talk radio). These speakers are expensive and I don't want to throw a bunch of money into replacing them, just to have it happen again.
My gut tells me this only happens on 100+F days and the car sitting in the sun for hours before I drive...so the speakers have inferior glues/adhesives and start melting, causing the speaker to short out (which is making all of the sounds).??
10-01-2019, 03:00 PM
#70
Do did u try reaching out yo BBB or NSAa as mentioned by someone in the forums.
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CaliBenzDriver (03-25-2021)
10-01-2019, 03:31 PM
#71
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2015 ML400 4MATIC, 2014 E350 4MATIC, 2006 E350
My subwoofer and right rear speaker are blown. And I’m in Toronto. But the car always drove down to Florida all the time.
10-18-2019, 02:21 PM
#72
So my saga continues. First, the rear passenger door speaker (the larger midrange one) started making popping, crackling, strange sounds. It then started burning (strong smell)...so I removed the door panel and discovered the center of the speaker cone was melting. I disconnected it.
Now the rear factory sub is making the same sounds.
It's been pretty hot here (100+F), and my car sits all day in the sun sometimes.
The radio was not in use during the noises/melting. It was on, but volume was at zero. I turned the unit off at the first sign of problems, but apparently the head unit doesn't need to be on, because the sounds and melting continued.
Another note, if I walk out to my locked car and press unlock on the key fob, the sounds and melting start before I even put the key into the ignition.
Does anyone have a similar experience or any advice? I currently have both speakers disconnected so I don't have to hear all of the crazy noise and smell the roasting plastic & rubber. Now I'm worried I'll slowly be melting them all because of defective materials.
I'm curious if MB will help me with this (2014 but out of warranty, 65K miles), since it is not a user issue and should not be happening to such a new car (and I almost always don't listen to anything, but if I am listening to something it's primarily talk radio). These speakers are expensive and I don't want to throw a bunch of money into replacing them, just to have it happen again.
My gut tells me this only happens on 100+F days and the car sitting in the sun for hours before I drive...so the speakers have inferior glues/adhesives and start melting, causing the speaker to short out (which is making all of the sounds).??
Now the rear factory sub is making the same sounds.
It's been pretty hot here (100+F), and my car sits all day in the sun sometimes.
The radio was not in use during the noises/melting. It was on, but volume was at zero. I turned the unit off at the first sign of problems, but apparently the head unit doesn't need to be on, because the sounds and melting continued.
Another note, if I walk out to my locked car and press unlock on the key fob, the sounds and melting start before I even put the key into the ignition.
Does anyone have a similar experience or any advice? I currently have both speakers disconnected so I don't have to hear all of the crazy noise and smell the roasting plastic & rubber. Now I'm worried I'll slowly be melting them all because of defective materials.
I'm curious if MB will help me with this (2014 but out of warranty, 65K miles), since it is not a user issue and should not be happening to such a new car (and I almost always don't listen to anything, but if I am listening to something it's primarily talk radio). These speakers are expensive and I don't want to throw a bunch of money into replacing them, just to have it happen again.
My gut tells me this only happens on 100+F days and the car sitting in the sun for hours before I drive...so the speakers have inferior glues/adhesives and start melting, causing the speaker to short out (which is making all of the sounds).??
Shame on them!
10-18-2019, 02:27 PM
#73
Rear speakers on a E350 2015 also a burnt smell
I took the car to a Mercedes-Benz dealership they have had the car for over a week I'm trying to call them everyday they keep giving me different excuses saying that waiting for Mercedes to check the vehicle out it's the speaker I smelled it my son got sick from the smell is anyone else having the same issue Mercedes-Benz needs to rectify this problem, speaker even crackles when the vehicle is off I also have a video
10-18-2019, 02:45 PM
#74
I took the car to a Mercedes-Benz dealership they have had the car for over a week I'm trying to call them everyday they keep giving me different excuses saying that waiting for Mercedes to check the vehicle out it's the speaker I smelled it my son got sick from the smell is anyone else having the same issue Mercedes-Benz needs to rectify this problem, speaker even crackles when the vehicle is off I also have a video
My dealer charging me 3k to fix.
Tried calling everyone in MB USA...customer care VP emailed..
Oy want yo pay 10 percent towards repair.
Total bull****
10-18-2019, 02:46 PM
#75
