98sl500

I have a '98 sl500 that I had to disconnect the battery over night to clear one of the controllers. When I reconnected the battery I had to input the radio code. After three unsuccessful attempts, it seems the radio has locked and won't accept any more code input attempts. I know the code is good because I've successfully used it before.

Does anyone know if there is a limited number of tries inputting the code and, if there is, how can the radio be unlocked?

Thanks for any help

Bob

Je Suis Moi

This should help. It's from the radio manual for my 1997:

ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM

The Mercedes-Benz AM and FM stereo radio with

cassette player and CD compatibility is fitted with a

built-in system designed to help render it

inoperative in case of theft. If the radio or battery is

disconnected, the radio will automatically be

disabled. To indicate this state, the word

CODE will

appear on the radio's display. To render the radio

operable again, the correct five digit code must be

entered into the radio via its numbered station-recall

buttons. A code is reassigned to each radio and

supplied to the owner on a wallet-sized card.

RECODING SEQUENCE

To recede a radio, follow this procedure:

1. Turn ignition key to lock position one. 2. Turn on

the radio. The word CODE appears on the display

with the letter "C" flashing. 3. Enter the first digit of

the radio's anti-theft code as it appears on the code

card. The word CODE will disappear and the first

number that you have entered will be displayed,

followed by four dashes. e. g. 1 . 4. Enter

the rest of the five digit anti-theft code. Each

number will be displayed when it is keyed in. 5.

When all five anti-theft code numbers have been

correctly entered, the first number in the code

flashes, alerting you to confirm the code. Press the

Scan (SC) Seek or Tune button to confirm the code.

Radio operation will now resume.

INCORRECT CODE

If an incorrect anti-theft code digit is entered,

continue to enter numbers until the five-digit code is

correctly entered and displayed. If an incorrect code

is confirmed, the word

CODE will appear again. The

system allows two more receding attempts. After the

third attempt, the word

WAIT is displayed. A period

of 10 minutes must pass and the word

CODE must

again be displayed before receding can be

successful. The radio must be left on during this

period. This measure is meant to prevent receding

of the radio by randomly entering numbers.

98sl500

Thank you. Finally got the radio working again with your information.