SL/R230: Horrible AM reception '03 SL 500
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 60
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2003 SL500
Horrible AM reception '03 SL 500
I just got this car 3 wks ago with only 7700 miles on it and it's like new! But the AM reception is horrible.
If I have the radio on and then turn the key to position one (not starting the engine) there is terrible background 'hash' that obliterates all but the local stations and even then it's there. Turning the key off stops the noise and the reception is fine.
Needless to say unless you are right under a radio stations tower driving in circles you can't hear the AM stations worth a hoot.
The dealer took 2 days to remove and replace the dashboard and re-routed some wires that MB says interfere with the AM reception. They also replaced one amplifier for the AM radio.
I go to pick the car up today and the noise is still there! Of course I don't ALWAYS have AM turned on but gee, why have it if you can't use it?
Anyone have any clues as to what the cause of the noise is? Is there something the dealer is missing? Needless to say the FM is fine as well as the CD changer.
I would hope that in the 4 years since the car was built someone has come up with a solution ( other than not listening to AM! ).
Thanks to all in advance!
Searches revealed that others have the same trouble at least on the '03 model.
J T
If I have the radio on and then turn the key to position one (not starting the engine) there is terrible background 'hash' that obliterates all but the local stations and even then it's there. Turning the key off stops the noise and the reception is fine.
Needless to say unless you are right under a radio stations tower driving in circles you can't hear the AM stations worth a hoot.
The dealer took 2 days to remove and replace the dashboard and re-routed some wires that MB says interfere with the AM reception. They also replaced one amplifier for the AM radio.
I go to pick the car up today and the noise is still there! Of course I don't ALWAYS have AM turned on but gee, why have it if you can't use it?
Anyone have any clues as to what the cause of the noise is? Is there something the dealer is missing? Needless to say the FM is fine as well as the CD changer.
I would hope that in the 4 years since the car was built someone has come up with a solution ( other than not listening to AM! ).
Thanks to all in advance!
Searches revealed that others have the same trouble at least on the '03 model.
J T
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
2020 GTR Roadster, 2020 GT63S
As you may have noticed, by reviewing other threads, MB is generally awful with their AM reception. Why they can't make a radio with reasonable AM reception is beyond me. 
My 2004 SL had a problem similar to yours. After repeated attempts, I just gave up. I quit listening to AM. I'm hooked on Sirius, anyway! 
My 2004 SL had a problem similar to yours. After repeated attempts, I just gave up. I quit listening to AM. I'm hooked on Sirius, anyway!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
2003 SL500
It's a shame I think...
As you may have noticed, by reviewing other threads, MB is generally awful with their AM reception. Why they can't make a radio with reasonable AM reception is beyond me. My 2004 SL had a problem similar to yours. After repeated attempts, I just gave up. I quit listening to AM. I'm hooked on Sirius, anyway!
My 2004 SL had a problem similar to yours. After repeated attempts, I just gave up. I quit listening to AM. I'm hooked on Sirius, anyway! I agree! I was told by the shop foreman at the dealer that in Europe they have no AM, that's why the reception stinks. I will check with a friend in the UK to verify that little tidbit.
Even if it's true, there is no reason MB can't invest in a signal generator and some wire and make a mock 'station' to listen to; to create radios that really work.
I wish the antenna connector was more accessible, I'd plug in a real antenna and see if the noise goes away or else add more ground straps to the case of the unit. There has to be an answer somewhere for this problem.
A $100k car and you can't hear the AM radio? Shameful imho.
Thanks!
J T
