I have a 1997 sl500, radio wont come on, antanna gos up when I hit the power button but thats it, i have checked both fuses under hood,1 fuse in back of player, and one fuse in amp, all were good, so I bought another off of amizon and it is doing the exact same thing.....any help?? yes I do have codes, just wont power up to put them in

 

Call United Radio Service, ask for a Mercedes tech and I'm sure somebody there can guide you. 1-800-448-0944

 

thanks they were helpfull but still not working...any other ideas?

 

I have a 96 SL 500. I have taken the antenna motor out, behind the trunk lining (careful don't drop the one phillips screw, at the bottom and the 8-9mm bolt at the top ground wire). After removing the rubber collar on the fender and the little nut at the top of the antenna, it all slips out inside. I would check conections. If that doesn't work, unplug the antenna and power wires and open up the box (1 torx screw). You will see a plastic cog, actually 2 back to back, one rides on the motor screw drive and the other picks up the antenna. Carefully remove and separate. I found that the 2 are pushed together with two interlocking nubs thru a metal clamp. One of the nubs on mine was broken. I superglued the nub back on the cog and put a small screw up through the back. My completed job had the cogs sitting slightly high (apart) so I took a little off the top of the glued nub with a dremel like tool. I reassembled and it works great. I don't think you can buy these parts separately. When you open the 2 cogs, don't let the broken nub fall out and get lost. It is about the size of a large molar. Good luck. When you see the parts, you will see exactly how it works. The two cogs have to be turning together. I read somewhere the motor runs for 12 seconds. Listen, if you hear it. Then you will know you have the same problem I did.

 

I wanted to add this site to my above response. Might be something that can help.www.AntennaMastsRus.com

 

Dear VIP Mike,

My 1998 SL500 didn't work until I entered the codes, and still there is no volume at times unless I fiddle with the volume control. It will spin continually clockwise or counterclockwise. I have tried to hold while turning, squeezing it and sometimes that seems to make it function. Can not seem to get it totally tight. At times clockwise makes it louder at time softer, but if I play with it enough the sound comes back on. It must be stripped inside. Anyway enough time gets it going again and then try not to turn it as that can shut sound off again. Hope doing that to yours may get yours to come on. When I get more time I may take volume switch out to try and fix.

 

In my earlier response, I apparently read your inquiry as if the antenna wasn't working. I'm old. I had a problem where my radio was working intermittedly. I found this outfit
http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereor...ZSL500StrR.htm
and ended up sending my radio and amp to them. They fixed it in no time at a fair price. I currently have the volume control problem, it also serves as the off/on switch but will live with it a while longer. I believe you can call them during the week.