captain1976

I have a 99 ML430 and it has the bose radio system. I took it to an audio shop today that has the keys to remove it and they said the latches were stuck. I would really like to get it out without destroying it. Any ideas? I would also like to know how to remove the small compartment under the radio so I can possibly get access that way.

Thanks

c3212571

Latches were stuck? never heard that. Did they put radio keys in correctly?

captain1976

Yes, they said they do it all the time but something in the latches is broken or out of place. They just said they couldn't do it.

c3212571

Sorry. I don't get what they mean by that b/c latches are designed so they fold in. And you can't pull key out without pushing in the latches on the side with the radio out. My thinking is they didn't put the key the correct way. only goes in one way. Labeled left and right

captain1976

He said he had the right keys, its just that they didn't work. Possibly someone in the past screwed them up, but the bottom line is I have to find a way to get the radio out without destroying it.

Thanks

c3212571

What year was your ml again? And is yours equipped with navagation?

captain1976

Hi,

Its a 1999 ML430 with what I believe is the standard Bose radio. It does not have the navigation system.

Thanks

XboxMeister

Have exactly the same vehicle with Bose system and bought the keys to pop out the head unit. The mechanism in question isn't that complicated. If I were you I would go buy the keys off Ebay for a few bucks and try it myself. I suspect with a little patience you will get the unit to come free.

My 1/50th of a dollar.

XBM

captain1976

Thanks for the info. I went to an audio shop today that also had the correct keys and they didn't work. Apparently someone in the past had screwed up the locking mechanism probably by trying the wrong thing. Anyway we were able to release them from the bottom after I removed the tray just below the radio. I didn't know where the holding clips were for it but finally figured it out.

Thanks all for your comments

raymond g-

i have seen the locking mechanism locked into a position where the keys
wouldn't come free. I know they're not fool proof. don't have any advice on
how to otherwise get the head unit out though. wonder if you can go in from
below and remove something in the next bay down?

kwbooth

Good day all, I have a 2000 ML430 with factory navigation and I have run into the same issue. I purchased the keys from MB of Austin and saw they were marked and believe I followed the "instructions" properly. I got the right side key in, heard it click into place and then went to install the left key. It goes in and you hear some "light" clicks but nothing "locks" into place. It's like something is broken in there not allowing it to lock into place in order to pull the stereo out. I am able to pull on the right side and see how easy it "should" be in order to remove the radio but the left side is not budging. Now I'm unable to get the right side key out of the slot. It seems I've got both issues that people have heard about here and still no radio out. I unfortunately don't have a tray underneath to get at the bottom of the radio. Below my radio are the AC control knobs. Anyone have a suggestion, short of a dealer or radio shop, on how to get at the radio locking mechanism? There is a tape (for tape to AUX conversion) stuck in the tape deck and I cannot get it to eject, move, etc. It has worked for 2 years and I did have intermittent problems but I'd just eject and put it back in and it would keep on working. Thanks in advance and my apologies if I've left out anything necessary to help fix my issue.

MichaelMeloy

I have the same problem. Keys worked one day, didn't the next. Something in the release tabs is not allowing the keys to lock in.

Captain 1976, can you tell me where the tabs are on the lower tray and/or any other removal tips?

Thanks!