Dim Blaupunkt Display

[niva441]

Hi all, I haven't posted for a while as I've been trying to go cold turkey on forums. But I thought I'd excuse myself this lapse as hopefully someone here will be able to help me with a small problem.

I've just bought another W202 C250TD, but this time an estate and just run in at 95,000. All seems to be in excellent condition, although I'll be getting it thoroughly serviced and checked over to make really sure. The only thing that detracts from its condition is the radio display.

It's a Blaupunkt Paris RCM 169, that I think is original fitment, unfortunately the display on it is very dim, so dim that it is scarcely legible. I downloaded the manual and found the display brightness can be altered, however these are already at the maximum settings.

Checking the wiring at the it appears the CD Changer isn't original as the power and ground have been tapped from radio wiring. But disconnecting the CD changer (which works fine) has not improved the display.

I could change the head unit, but it seems a lots of work for what should be a simple problem, plus I'd like to keep the car as original as possible (I have delusions of it being a future classic).

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

Todd

 

[FELLOW]

Bp Faces

does the face unit pop out?

my bp pops out and was dim for a while on my clk - cleaned the connections and gave it a little tap!

worked fine since

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
I think you,ll need to take the stereo out to check the security of the wiring in the plugs at some point anyway.
Is it just the illumination of the digital display not working, does the illumination of the switches on the stereo work?
If thats the case the stereo will need to be removed and taken apart to replace the lamp/l.e.d. which is,nt normally a D.I.Y. job.
Blaupunkt stereos are still available from eurocarparts i think or you could try looking on e-bay.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Just looked on e-bay, how about this,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLAUPUNKT-PAR...ryZ75309QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[niva441]

Cheers Andy

I've asked the guy selling on ebay how bright the display is. Also for a better picture of the connectors just in case either Merc or Lexus aren't using ISO.

I'll have to try the connectors as Fellow suggested as the face fold down to reveal the tape (before the auction ends).

Thanks

Todd

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
I did,nt realise it was front removeable, so as fellow says do check this as i get illumination problems on my Alpine for the same reason.
Best of luck,

 

[niva441]

Well it is not quite removable, the front folds down and that could well be where the problem comes from.

I've had a look at removing it but the screws on the back are smaller than my smallest torx key (T10). I'll need to find a nearest bit screwdriver.

 

[merc convert]

I purchased a Dallas 18 months ago. It had the display repaired at Blaupunkt for major money. Unfortunatley it has gone again, took it apart and there is a tiny soldered bulb/diode type of thing that is black. I think it is this at fault. Consigned it to the shelf in the garage. I did like the look of it.

 

[niva441]

I got the identical radio off Ebay, swapped it and the display was identical.

I tried the original in my old MGB (where the radio wiring is all my fault) and the display was okay. Not brilliantly, ultra bright but acceptable and readable.

I did a voltage check on the C250 at the weekend (it took a while as it's difficult to get hold of it as dad has adopted it) and the drop across the radio + to - is 11.6 - 11.7 volts. Which is a bit lower than I expected, what do you think?

Could that be enough to dim the display?

Thanks

Todd

 

[wireman]

My radio has an input from the dash lights to dim the display when the lights are on, it was disconnected when I got the car and the display was always in its "night" mode, re-establishing this connection has cured it.

 

[niva441]

Both night and day settings are at the maximum and both are equally useless.

Finally managed to get another chance to look at the car this weekend. As I'm using it this week I thought it would be nice to see what the radio is up to.

I've got a copy of the workshop manual on DVD and used it to find the earth points. Took a couple of easily removable bits out of the centre console for access, but still couldn't trace the earth wire to it's end. However I did find a convenient bolt for the dash frame to use.

To save messing around I was going to 'just' add another earth. But I checked the voltage from the radio feed to this bolt and it was still the same 11.7 volts that I'd seen before across the radio.

Next stop the fuse box, I had a look at them and they all seemed fine, but I had a shuffle anyway.

Had a look at the battery next, it was a large white box.
The voltage across the terminals was still 11.7 volts, with the engine running.

Display was alright this morning, but it was foggy, so no light reflecting on it, so no change.

I'm getting the car serviced next week, so I think the battery voltage is something to get looked at. Possibly take advantage of the warranty.

I'm sure the battery isn't 6 months old.