[cl600bill]

My 1998 sl500 radio station display slowly failed to the point where it is one black smudge. Is there a fix for this or new radio required. Radio and button and tune selection works fine but not seeing display is inconvenient. Anyone else have this problem?

 

[RKH]

The LCD display panel failed. Run (rub) you finger on it and it may temporary display something.

 

[cl600bill]

RKH, thanks, you are absolutely right. I did that earlier on for a temporary fix but it kept getting worse until the rub trick no longer worked.

 

[SL3204me]

My radio guy said that these displays are not fixable.Once they go your only option is to get another one on eBay, or a junkyard.My brother installed a newer Kenwood in his S600 and it is beautiful and has Bluetooth and and phone.It sounds great.So if mine ever fails I will switch to Kenwood or Pioneer or Alpine and do a total upgrade.I am not sure if Blaupunct makes a radio for the SL 500 or not.That would be another option.I wish MB would make a DIN radio for the 1990s cars that would update our stereo systems.The Bose system is awesome.

 

[boydm]

Call Becker Auto Sound, Becker AutoSound LLC - Auto Audio Repairs | Saddle Brook, NJ. If your radio is a Becker, they can repair it, if it is an Alpine the display can't be repaired but they can exchange it for a Becker that looks identical. They can also add an aux input to the stock radio. They do a nice job.

 

[cl600bill]

My thanks to boydm and sl3204me for suggestions. I found a replacement radio on ebay and based on boydm's answer looked up a highly recommended audio shop here in the San Francisco area where I'll take it on Monday to see if it can be fixed before buying the ebay unit.

 

[macysum]

My thanks to boydm and sl3204me for suggestions. I found a replacement radio on ebay and based on boydm's answer looked up a highly recommended audio shop here in the San Francisco area where I'll take it on Monday to see if it can be fixed before buying the ebay unit.

If you can source the LCD panel it might be replaceable by the SF shop and that would be my 1st choice if it's low cost. However, I agree with the Becker suggestion...they are wizards with our radios, somewhat like Klaus is for top hydraulics.

 

[DALE.M]

Definitely Becker, they will also install a i-pod port for 50$ which brings the unit up to modern times. One of the first things I look for when checking out one of these cars is the radio, most don't look right in place of stock MB

 

[Lord Byron]

Just sent my radio in to Becker. They rebuilt it and added auxiliary for $175.00. Works fine and remains all original (except auxiliary port).

 

[LWB250]

Eddie and Tom (of Becker NA) are really the best, and very good at supporting our older cars and their stock sound systems.

I wouldn't trust anyone to work on my stock radios but them. They're very accessible as well, although some might think them a bit curt at times - that's just the New Jersey thing kicking in - they're really nice guys and are very customer oriented.

Dan

 

[jnd]

TAPE EJECT started Radio LCD working

I turned the radio on, pressed TAPE button, pressed the EJ (eject) button (second preset button over), the center tape flap lowered, closed the LCD Tape door, and the display was working. Regards, John

 

[Fast960]

A Hairdryer on low heat will completely clear the extra black in the display but it will come back ... at least you can set your presets