[CaliSwede]

I have a 91 500SL with the stock Becker system in it, including the 10 CD changer. Lately, I have had a random problem with my large door speakers, the sound comes and goes, always right and left speaker together, and when the sound is gone there is a clicking or crackling noise, this happens both when im listening to the radio or a CD. The rest of the speakers work fine. I have checked all the connections on the back of the radio and the amplifier in the trunk, with no success. This is a random problem so the speakers can be workin fine one day and not the next, and then they work fine again, very frustrating. Any ideas anyone??????

 

[Dstorey]

maybe power is intermittent? The amplifier gets its turn on signal from the antenna turn on! The aux amp powers the woofers in the door

 

[brokenmerc]

I just fixed this problem on my SL500 with the stock becker system. You need to locate the small amp (not sure where it is on the sedans) dismantle the amp, give the backside of the chipboard a good clean with a dry toothbrush. There is a cover on a large relay in the middle of the chipboard. Remove it, clean very carefully. At this point, with the thing cleaned, before you reassmble it plug it in and see if it works. If it still doesnt work, either solder to 2 points of the relay together, or put a zip-tie around the relay so the circuit is always closed. For more info, there is a detailed post of this procedure by someone else in the SL forum, search for "Becker"

Oh just noticed yours is an SL, the amp should be under the carpet of the rear cabin storage compartment. If not there, try the passenger footwell behind the carpet. Also before you remove the amp, bash it with your hand several times and see if the speaker cuts in. If so, its deifnately the relay, if not, its still probably the relay

 

[MBCluster]

The early SL has a different Layout than yours, you have the '94 and up Bose system, CaliSwede has the early Becker system with the bass amp under the carpet, and tuner/amp in the trunk.

Take a look at my "Media" Page, I did a '91 SL recently, rebuilt the bass amp and tuner/amp with new caps, and that did the trick. The problem could be anywhere with these distributed amp systems, be patient, because the results are a clean Bose system with great sound.

Good luck!
J

 

[CaliSwede]

Thanx guys for your help, the zip-tie around the relay did the trick. Speakers sound better than ever, thanx again

 

[MBCluster]

OK, interesting solution, but means you just tied your amp permanently on.
So the amp will always be drawing a small current, monitor the battery drain for extended periods of idle time.

 

[brokenmerc]

incorrect, only the later US cars came exclusively with the Bose. Euro spec cars came with the same becker at least until 98 with the Bose being an option.

Also the amp IS NOT permanately on. The relay just causes a slight delay when the amp powers up to avoid popping sounds from the speakers.

 

[Daeward93]

I just fixed this problem on my SL500 with the stock becker system. You need to locate the small amp (not sure where it is on the sedans) dismantle the amp, give the backside of the chipboard a good clean with a dry toothbrush. There is a cover on a large relay in the middle of the chipboard. Remove it, clean very carefully. At this point, with the thing cleaned, before you reassmble it plug it in and see if it works. If it still doesnt work, either solder to 2 points of the relay together, or put a zip-tie around the relay so the circuit is always closed. For more info, there is a detailed post of this procedure by someone else in the SL forum, search for "Becker"

Oh just noticed yours is an SL, the amp should be under the carpet of the rear cabin storage compartment. If not there, try the passenger footwell behind the carpet. Also before you remove the amp, bash it with your hand several times and see if the speaker cuts in. If so, its deifnately the relay, if not, its still probably the relay

I know this is an old post. But does anyone have a picture of this zip tied relay? Iv cleaned it, smacked it, still no luck. Front big speakers pop. Small speakers work.

 

[Daeward93]

I know this is an old post. But does anyone have a picture of this zip tied relay? Iv cleaned it, smacked it, still no luck. Front big speakers pop. Small speakers work.