hecdog

On my 2014 E350 station wagon s212, I’m starting to hear a crackling sound coming from the drivers side tweeter on the door.

sometimes, it sounds like the stereo field is somewhat biased towards the passenger side, like when you move the balance control towards the passenger side. Other times it sounds normal.

right now I’m hearing the distortion listening to a podcast via Bluetooth.

I have searched the forum and found some people with 2014 e350 sedans having a problem with melting amplifiers or something.

Is what I am experiencing indicative of this melting amp issue? Does that apply to 2014 wagons as well?

if so, where is that amp? Should I replace it? Any advice?

hecdog

I just tested the radio and satellite channels and they all display the same audio problems.

I moved the balance and fade adjustment so that I can isolate each set of speakers, front left, front right, rear right, rear left.

only the front left (drivers) side has this defect, the signal sounds like it comes and goes, with distortion, as if the speaker cables/connection is barely attached, sometimes allowing signal to pass and sometimes not. In addition to the apparent connection problem, there is a slight distortion to the audio on only that front left set of speakers. The subwoofer continues to play uninterrupted, only the door speakers seem to be affected.

CaliBenzDriver

+1: excellent testing. You have this well figured out.
You do need a new amplifier (rear trunk driver side).

This is the heat management is too limited by the dried thermal paste.
New amp, same difference problem - Go easy!​​​​​​

You can easily exchange same amp.
If you like to pump up power, the best way would be a stronget amplifier with a optical interface upfront.

hecdog

Wow, thanks!

I would like to keep the OEM audio system. I really like it.

do I just buy the same amplifier (same part number) from eBay? Or is there an updated more reliable part number?

CaliBenzDriver

Yes, exactly

This sound system is top knotch fully digital with one amplifier per speaker coil. Very clean linear output response.

The only draw back is it doesn't handle heat load.
I don't think there's an updated matching model.

You can regrease the heatsink chips if your replacement unit to hopefully extend it life.
In the upgrade Dpt ypu can upgrade the 16V caps to 35V

hecdog

Is the amplifier this: 2129007108?

it’s on the left side of the rear cargo area of my wagon. It’s called the audio control module according to a google search.

whan I called the dealership to ask for the amplifier part number, they could only find the Harmon Kardon sub woofer amplifier.

hecdog

Is this the unit I should replace?




I removed this from the left side of my cargo area. I called Mercedes again and gave them this part number and they said it’s now this part number: 212900862980.

They call it a Control Module. Is this what I should replace to get my left front speakers to stop cutting out or distorting?

CaliBenzDriver

Yes, you got it exactly
That is the Audio power Amplifier that drives all speakers except the subwoofer that has its on separate tiny amplifier.

Before replacing confirm the Amp module status
Use your scanner to read faults and test all the individual outputs.
Compare the bad speaker resistance L to R.

If the cost is too high considering car value... unplug tweeter speaker!

hecdog

I don’t have a scanner. What scanner would I use for this?

CaliBenzDriver

Our favorite forum handheld scanner these days is the very capable:
"Launch Elite cReader by LAUNCH Co for MB"
~150 Amazon.

It should let you transfer programming from old unit to replacement 👏