SL-Class (R129) 1990-2002: SL 280, SL 300, SL 320, SL 500, SL 600, SL 60 AMG

SL/R129: Radio problem -woofers cutting in and out

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Old 03-21-2006, 12:01 AM
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Radio problem -woofers cutting in and out

My 92 SL500 stock radio is cutting out the woofers while the mid and high remain going, it gets worse with volume and is OK at very low volumes. I suspect there is an amp for the woofers. Where is it, how can I check it? Any input is appreciated.
I should also note that sometimes the radio station has a very strange type of static then clears up, separate problem?
Ron
Old 03-21-2006, 04:32 AM
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does it sound ruffle-ish? Your speakers might be shot. Just replaced my door speakers as they tore.
Old 03-21-2006, 10:02 AM
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Does not sound like a damaged speaker. Both door speakers sound perfect, but if the volume is moved up they (both) will kick out but the mids and tweeters keep playing. Then the will come back on. It is real bad when the radio is first turned on but gets better as the radio or amp warms up. Eventually the radio works OK, but will kick up if I move the bass or turn up the radio real high. It seems to me that the amp for the woofers is kicking out. I suspect it is not part of the radio, but a separate amp somewhere.
Old 03-21-2006, 06:30 PM
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1992 500SL, 1990 Jag XJS V-12 Conv't, 1976 Jag XJ12C, another '76 XJ12C!
See my response on this same question from last night....
Old 03-21-2006, 09:10 PM
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Thanks gdmarques@***.n
I see that my query got posted twice somehow and until you pointed it out I did not know, don't know how I did this?

This information is what I was looking for. I wonder if I can do anything to repair the amp? Buy a used one? Any thoughts how to get this working properly?
Old 03-21-2006, 09:18 PM
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1992 500SL, 1990 Jag XJS V-12 Conv't, 1976 Jag XJ12C, another '76 XJ12C!
I think I say one for sale on Ebay recently (and pretty cheap I think.) Any braver soul than me who has replaced his system should have one they no longer need. I'll check and see if I can find that Ebay listing again.
Old 03-21-2006, 09:23 PM
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1992 500SL, 1990 Jag XJS V-12 Conv't, 1976 Jag XJ12C, another '76 XJ12C!
ebay auction for Becker tuner

Check out this auction. Not sure if this is the same unit as the '92 SL though. They are really easy to get to in the trunk though, so it should be easy to check yours against this part number.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Becke...spagenameZWDVW

Good luck!
Old 03-22-2006, 01:13 AM
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The one on eBay does look exactly like mine and for a afir price. gdmarques,thanks for the link. (I see you are a Jag fan, me too)

But a strange turn of events. I put insurance on it yesterday after sitting out the winter. The radio acted up as I indicated, all day. My wife drove the car today, same thing. When I got your email I opened up the carpet and sorted out things. There is a box connected to it that is just sitting on top near the antenna, it has a Mercedes logo and made in Japan. It is a bout 7”x1” x3” and has a lead in and out plus power. Although it seems stock, the wiring has been messed with. If I had to guess, I would say it is the brain for the CD Changer, which is in the trunk. Anyway, I turned on the radio and it is perfect, I could not get it to cut out at any volume, no static sound…just perfect. I put it all together and it still is perfect. What a nice problem, as long as it does not come back!

If anyone can confirm what this exact box is I would appreciate it.
Old 03-22-2006, 04:33 PM
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I'll check mine to see if I have that box as well. Not sure what that could be, but my rado reception is not great, so maybe I ned to play around with mine too! My understanding is that if you have the CD player the data cable (thick gray cable with the round DIN conector) goes from the head in the dash to the CD player and then from the CD player to the Tuner. Without the CD player it goes straight from the head to the tuner. I'll check and get back to you in a day or two with what that box could be.
Old 03-23-2006, 12:56 AM
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It's back! All last night while I was working on it and replacing the O2 sensor in the Cat, it played perfect at loud volume. Today, it cut out for a while then worked perfect.

My thick gray cable goes to this box, and then off to the radio head I think?
Guess I need to buy the amp on eBay. I will check with my local wrecker first, be he tends to be a rip off charging 50% of new for any Mercedes part regardless of age or condition.
Old 03-23-2006, 07:48 AM
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1992 500SL, 1990 Jag XJS V-12 Conv't, 1976 Jag XJ12C, another '76 XJ12C!
This morning I lost my amp too. Funny thing is the tuner was still pulling in stations, but I lost ALL of my speakers. Not sure how that could happen since they are driven off two separate amps unless they are powered up off the same circuit and I lost a fuse or have a bad connection. AAAARGH!

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