Installing an aftermarket stereo

[Razi]

Hi

I am trying to install an aftermarket stereo on my 2000 (W Reg) E240 estate (Elegance). I managed to fit the said stereo, a JVC Mp3 CD player, to replace the hideous Mercedes cassette Player (!) and it was a streight swap. No adaptors required, no not even a fascia. But the thing shows no signs of life when I try to switch it on. I need an MP3 CD player as I am into audio books and you can't find any decent ones on cassettes any more plus I like the luxury of over 600 minutes of audio on one CD. What may I be doing wrong? The mp3 player is new plus it has a front aux to connect my ipod. Is there a difference in wattage?

Thanks in advance.

 

[jwilliams]

Even if the connectors physically fit, the pin-outs might not be the same. I haven't done a modern Merc, but had to adjust things in my old Corsa.

Are you sure the new stereo works?

 

[Razi]

The stereo worked all right when I tested it on my Mistubishi Lancer. Just tried it again. After connection the JVC ejects and takes CDs but still does not power on. Looked at the connectors and the blank holes in the Merc female adaptor seem to be in the different order than the male connectors on the head unit. Still after trawling the googlenet for over an hour, can't find an adaptor for this model. All sites say that it should be a straight swap but it does not seem to work that way.

 

[Razi]

In short it is not a straight swap and I am really fed up of the cassette player now. Were they still installing cassette players in cars in year 2000? The horrible thing has to be ditched ASAP. Will take it to my local car audio shop over the weekend. Will cost at least £50 to install the head unit. Is there some way I could save that money?

 

[jwilliams]

Try going to Halfords and looking at the harness adapter lead for your model. Compare the wire colours at each end.

The simplest way is to spring the £10 or so on the adapter lead - that way nobody will be caught out in the future by non-standard wiring in the car.

 

[marnix]

Look at the following link for a pin out of the Merc radio

http://www.beckerelectronics.com/1492.html

 

[Razi]

Look at the following link for a pin out of the Merc radio

http://www.beckerelectronics.com/1492.html

Sorry but the link doesn't work

 

[Rebel]

This is one I can answer
The wire that is normally live when the ignition is on does not work the same on the Mercedes, all you need to do is disconnect the ignition live from the connector and replace it with a live feed from somewhere else, preferably that is only live when the ignition is on or you mught forget to turn the stereo off and flatten the car battery (a major issue I believe)

Hope this helps, I found it out with a multimeter and a lot of hair pulling

 

[marnix]

I have attached the picture instead.