[Alan67]

Hi, I am hoping someone can help me to wire up an old, but good, JVC KD-G311 CD player in my recently acquired, early 1992 500SL.

When I bought the car in November of last year, it was fitted with a new Pioneer unit that took USB sticks, but no CDs. With me being an old(er) codger, i’m not into all this fangled high tech stuff. I’m just getting my head around CDs! What was wrong with 8-track and tapes I ask?

Anyway, I removed the Pioneer unit within a week of buying the car, then put the car away for winter storage. However, now that Spring is nearly here, I am looking forward to driving the car on weekends, and now want to get this sorted as soon as I can.

I would really appreciate it if someone could match up the wiring of the JVC unit (see below) , to the Mercedes wiring so that I can install this with confidence.

The JVC unit wiring is as follows:
BLACK … Vehicle body (Earth)
YELLOW … Constant 12v
RED … Accessory terminal in fuse box
BLACK/BLUE … Remote lead or power aerial (200mA max)
BROWN … Cellular phone
PURPLE … Right speaker (rear)
PURPLE/BLACK … Right speaker (rear)
GREEN … Left speaker (rear)
GREEN/BLACK … Left speaker (rear)
GREY … Right speaker (front)
GREY/BLACK … Right speaker (front)
WHITE … Left speaker (front)
WHITE/BLACK … Left speaker (front)

Also, I don’t know if my car has an Amp or not. I have read that it could be under the passenger foot well, or below the (useless) rear seat cushion. However, the car is currently at my Indy getting a couple of things done, so I won’t be able to investigate this until I get the car back. I don’t know if this affects the information that I am seeking or not. I really haven’t got a clue about this sort of thing. The last time I installed anything, was a Tandy tape player I got from my Wife (then girlfriend!) in 1988!

Hence, please keep this simple guys. In fact, feel free to treat me like an idiot if that’s what it takes. I just want my sounds back....
[]

 

[Skylaw]

Using the wiring diagram (NOT the Technical Support Bulletins) at BBB Industries - TSB's & Wiring Diagrams I was able to locate two wiring diagrams for your car's audio system wiring. You will have to do a bit of searching on that site, but it is fairly simple. The two diagrams for your car are under system "Interior & Driver Amenity", then subsystem "Entertainment (audio system)."

I have spliced one of the diagrams below - not too readable, you might do better on the site. I don't know which specific of them is for your car. You can try clicking on the image to make it larger. I was able to read it when opened in Photoshop and enlarged, and you can see the color code abbreviations for each wire. Anyway, it does show the original installation - but it won't account for changes when the other unit was installed.

 

[Alan67]

Hello Skylaw,
Yes, I had looked through the stickies on here before posting, and found the link to this very diagram. I couldn’t understand why it was showing a ‘front speaker’ and a ‘front speaker group’ for left and right sides. I thought the only speakers I had were in the doors, the ‘front speaker group’ I assume.
It also shows the speakers connecting directly to an amp. Is it possible that my car doesn’t have one, or did they all leave the factory with an amp fitted?
Can I also ask why it shows the radio being connected the cigar lighter?
Thank you for replying Skylaw.

 

[Skylaw]

I'm sorry, I just don't know enough about the wiring in your car. I hope someone does, perhaps on the R129 forum (I know one or two of the members over there, great folks).

I suspect that at one time you had an amp; it may have been removed. The newer radio may have had adequate amplification built in (as your new one may).

As for connection to the cigar lighter, the radio will need switched power as well as unswitched (to retain memory). I don't know whether your cigar lighter is switched or unswitched, but having two separate +12v connections is pretty standard.

The speakers, I just don't know about for sure. I did come across this, but don't know if it describes your car adequately - http://www.kenrockwell.com/sl/sl500audio.htm

In addition there is some discussion of the audio setup at http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/sl-forum/120590-r129-replace-door-speakers.html - but when I look for R129 speakers, the photos that come up are all over the place in what they show.

 

[Alan67]

Skylaw, I appreciate your honesty on the subject. While your information hasn’t completely answered my question, there is a lot of info that you have provided which is very interesting, and certainly explains some of my issues. I want to thank you for this. Very much appreciated.
I will follow your advice on posting this question on the R129 forum. Totally agree about the individuals on there, they have saved me a lot of hassle and expense over the last couple of months, and given me a few laughs at the same time.
Thanks again Skylaw.
:smile