[wonderbrah]

So just sent my 1991 300se radio to Becker to repair the volume knob(they just swapped out the whole face plate with a refurbished one) and install a 3.5 mm cable. Two problems:
One, I can't find a place to to feed the cable from inside the radio compartment to the outside. I can't see any openings, anywhere. If there's a video floating around somewhere on someone installing the modded radio and feeding the wire, that'd be really helpful.
Two, I posted about this before but when I use cassettes a lot of the time it will play in mono(only the right side speakers will work). I didn't realize the Becker 3.5 mm mod is linked to the cassette player. You actually need a cassette tape in there for the mod to even work. So guess what this means? My phone or ipod will only play in mono! Very frustrating. I actually got it to play in stereo just before for a minute but after I reset the radio it went back to mono. So I'm not sure what the issue is. I wish I told Becker about it so they could do an inspection but alas, at least there is always a bright side. I'll only be hard of hearing in one ear when I get older. :laugh

 

[wooky_chew_bacca]

Just another of the many reasons folks pull and chunk the Becker system when it starts puking :eek mine is half assed working at the moment but it is on the list to be replaced asap

 

[tusabes]

They didn't test the unit before they sent it out ? Even if you didn't ask them to check it , that's pretty terrible they didn't check it

 

[wonderbrah]

They didn't test the unit before they sent it out ? Even if you didn't ask them to check it , that's pretty terrible they didn't check it

That's actually a great point. Their repair/mod does come with a 1 year warranty so I will argue with them on that when I call Monday. Does anyone know where to feed the wire though? You guys know what I'm talking about, right? The 3.5 mm cable is installed into the back of the unit. So when the head unit is all flush and fastened in, the cable is stuck inside the radio compartment. There has to be some kind of opening to the outside in there somewhere but I can't find it. Shined a flashlight and felt all around with my hands from both inside and outside and nada.

 

[wooky_chew_bacca]

Since this cable you had put on wasn't factory there won't be a hole for it to stick out of. You'll have to make one yourself, welcome to the world of aftermarket modifications lol :wink

 

[carnut62]

When I installed an IPOD in my 300SE I had it in the glove box. At the back of the glove box insert, there's a knock out oval panel. I ran the wire from the back of the radio thru this opening and plugged in my IPOD. With the glove box liner out, I was able to see and route the cable to the glove box area. Why in the world would you remove your radio, send it away for a knob, whistle for a week! or more and NOT tell them about a channel quitting?

 

[wonderbrah]

Because I figured I'd have no need for the cassette player after the 3.5 mm mod to use my phone. Didn't realize they were linked! Radio works perfect on all 4 speakers so I assumed my phone would as well. 'Course I assume wrong. Oh well, only $10 to ship it out to them again.

 

[bolomiester]

Bluetooth cassette insert

Radio Shack sells a bluetooth receiver that looks like a cassette and slides right into the cassette slot, (Click here >>).

It works very well when linked to my iPhone. Of course there's no mods needed at all. Just charge the receiver, turn it on, slide it into the slot and let your blue tooth device find it. About the only negative is that it has be charged outside the radio. It will play for about 6-8 hours on a charge.

There's another and I have one as well. It's OK and cost less than half what Radio Shack version does, but the RA version is worth the extra cost.

 

[wonderbrah]

Alright boys. They tested my radio and found no fault. They ruled out the amp as radio plays in stereo and said it's likely something with the receiver What do you guys think?

 

[tusabes]

You said it only happens when using cassettes or the new adapter wired into the cassette sector. Right? Clearly its a problem on the cassette area either a poor connection or unsoldered trace

 

[ColoRich]

That's actually a great point. Their repair/mod does come with a 1 year warranty so I will argue with them on that when I call Monday. Does anyone know where to feed the wire though? You guys know what I'm talking about, right? The 3.5 mm cable is installed into the back of the unit. So when the head unit is all flush and fastened in, the cable is stuck inside the radio compartment. There has to be some kind of opening to the outside in there somewhere but I can't find it. Shined a flashlight and felt all around with my hands from both inside and outside and nada.

No need to argue, they're very helpful actually. They stopped me from pulling all my hair out when trying to add an Alpine CHM-620A CD changer and the MX3192 Adapter to my Becker 1432 system. Who knew their was a miniature fuse inside the MX3192 adapter? THEY DID!
:grin

 

[wonderbrah]

Having trouble removing the receiver. This thing's in the trunk under the carpet right? Are there pics/vids floating around showcasing the removal process by any chance? Did a quick search but couldn't find anything.

 

[ColoRich]

Having trouble removing the receiver. This thing's in the trunk under the carpet right? Are there pics/vids floating around showcasing the removal process by any chance? Did a quick search but couldn't find anything.

It's behind the right rear wheel well, there should be a couple of bolts on either side of the unit and it will slide up out of the bracket.

 

[1985 300CD]

I really didn't believe people when they said the Becker was such a terrible radio. I mean, if Mercedes put it in their cars, how bad could it possibly be? I replaced the Becker Europa in my 1983 300D with a new aftermarket head unit and I can't begin to tell you the difference. With the Becker I thought my speakers were shot and I was going to have to replace them too. After I put the new radio in it really sounded good. I have the factory Becker in 1990 300SE and have been using the cassette attached to my iPod. It sounds really good but eventually I want to upgrade the radio with something that is USB capatable and goes well with the interior of our cars.