W202 6X9 in the Rear? Where is the aerial located?

[silverstarcars]

I have some Kenwood 6 X 9 speakers sitting in the garage. Does anyone know if these will fit in the rear shelf of a saloon W202 C Class (facelift model) and if so are these a straight fit or does anything need modding?

Also I have a problem with the aerial in my car. I have tried three different radios including one original Mercedes unit and cannot get anywhere near decent radio reception which leads me to believe the fault lies with the aerial. I have striped out the boot but cannot find where the aerial connection comes from off the rear screen. Does anyone know where to look?

 

[GrahamC230K]

You will need to cut metal.

 

[Will]

Agreed - ditch the 6x9s (flog them on eBay?) and get a set of decent speakers for the front.

Do you currently have speakers in the rear doors, there should be speaker locations there too.

If you want to use some rear speakers for the shelf, try and locate some suitable ones that allow fitting without cutting the rear shelf if possible (5-6"ish?)

Good luck

Will

 

[Philos]

Rear Aerial Problem too

Hi Guys

I am also having a similar problem with the car radio. When I bought the car it had a non standard MB cd player from Kenwood - it all worked apart from no backlight, Cd sound excellent, radio sound great as well then this unit failed on Xmas eve and I replaced it quickly with another Kenwood as I drove past Halfords in Croydon. Straight forward swap of the system for the fitter and it was done in under 5 mins. Problem is I tune to get a decent signal at my home, store it in the memory and then drive off - about a mile away radio signal deteriorates and a retune is necessary even with AF and RDS switched on. Move off again and problems happens again. Have tried three different Kenwwod systems and a MB original and the same thing happens - anybody have any ideas? Halfords have washed their hands and told me to go to Kenwood who say unit isn't at fault but aerial.......can't find aeria though so guess it's built int othe rear windscreen.

 

[silverstarcars]

Agreed - ditch the 6x9s (flog them on eBay?) and get a set of decent speakers for the front.

Do you currently have speakers in the rear doors, there should be speaker locations there too.

If you want to use some rear speakers for the shelf, try and locate some suitable ones that allow fitting without cutting the rear shelf if possible (5-6"ish?)

Good luck

Will

Oh well I thought I could make use of the 6x9 which are lying in the garage but I dont want to start hacking the car to bits!....what a shame. If I remember correctly I dont have any speakers in the rear doors anyway I need to sort out the aerial first before I start on the speakers as the radio reception is so bad at the moment I have to keep it switched off!

 

[pluggers]

Its possible that the fault lies with the aerial amplifier itself.Its located behind the C pillar trim. I think its on the nearside but not 100% sure.If the fault lies with the aerial itself Its a new rear screen ££££££ or just claim off your windscreen insurance <cough cough>.Hope that helps.

 

[Thmsshaun]

Oh well I thought I could make use of the 6x9 which are lying in the garage but I dont want to start hacking the car to bits!....what a shame. If I remember correctly I dont have any speakers in the rear doors anyway I need to sort out the aerial first before I start on the speakers as the radio reception is so bad at the moment I have to keep it switched off!

It depends what kind of job you want to make of it. I did get some 6*9"s to sit in the shelf. The pressure from the cover held them in place with the speker magnet going through one of the existing holes. The were infinty speakers and the sound was good. as the shelf holds them firm enough. Just take the shelf off have a look and see what you think.

 

[silverstarcars]

Its possible that the fault lies with the aerial amplifier itself.Its located behind the C pillar trim. I think its on the nearside but not 100% sure.If the fault lies with the aerial itself Its a new rear screen ££££££ or just claim off your windscreen insurance <cough cough>.Hope that helps.

I'll have a look for the aerial amplifier but how will i know if it's shot? I don't think it's the aerial as the rear screen is original and doesnt look like it's been disturbed...still you never know...i wonder if the insurance would pay for a genuine MB rear screen?

 

[silverstarcars]

It depends what kind of job you want to make of it. I did get some 6*9"s to sit in the shelf. The pressure from the cover held them in place with the speker magnet going through one of the existing holes. The were infinty speakers and the sound was good. as the shelf holds them firm enough. Just take the shelf off have a look and see what you think.

From what you are saying am I right in thinking that the method you have described means that the speakers are visible from the outside? Not really keen on putting speakers on show or hacking the car up.

 

[fuzzer]

why not get smaller downward firing decent subs for those holes and upgrade the rest of the speakers in the car.

Or leave those out of the rear shelf and have nothing.

The rear passengers will thank you for not putting the 6x9's there as they won't be able to hear a thing.

Mercedes have moved away from speakers up the rear shelf in the latest 203.

 

[pluggers]

I'll have a look for the aerial amplifier but how will i know if it's shot? I don't think it's the aerial as the rear screen is original and doesnt look like it's been disturbed...still you never know...i wonder if the insurance would pay for a genuine MB rear screen?

Im not sure how you would tell if its shot or not,apart from trying another one in its place.But before paying out for another one (second hand or new) check all the connections to it and also check the continuity of the aerial lead first(cheapest option)As something could have just come loose.

 

[silverstarcars]

why not get smaller downward firing decent subs for those holes and upgrade the rest of the speakers in the car.

Now that's an interesting idea. Will have to have a look at it once I have sorted the aerial out!

 

[1998K]

my post only to confirm that in case of W202 with antenna integrated in the rear glass, you should find the antenna amplifier in the rear C pillar (I'll look on the right vehicle side before,...but mine is a LHD car).

Check if electric feed arrive to this device.

In any case, normally, if radio AM frequency is not possible, but FM still possible (if bad), you have interrupted the connection between radio and antenna.

Check also the antenna cable on the radio itself, mine was INTERNALLY broken, time ago, ...quite difficoult to sold

hope my little note will help you

 

[Thmsshaun]

From what you are saying am I right in thinking that the method you have described means that the speakers are visible from the outside? Not really keen on putting speakers on show or hacking the car up.

No the shelf still covers the speakers and nothing is visible you just remove the plastic housing from the original speakers.

 

[Alps]

id put some speakers in the rear doors, upgrade the fronts and leave the holes in the shelf to let the sub bass out (if you put a sub in!)

 

[silverstarcars]

To anyone it might help, I have today sorted my aerial problem. Turns out that the aerial plug on the original aerial lead that come up to the radio is no good. If i wiggle and tilt the plug whilst on the radio it picks up all stations just fine.........so it looks like i need a new aerial plug & will need to chop the old one off and solder the new one on....I guess i will have to make a trip to Maplins tomorrow.

 

[silverstarcars]

why not get smaller downward firing decent subs for those holes and upgrade the rest of the speakers in the car.

Fuzzer do you know what make / model subs will fit in the back shelf?

 

[Alps]

Fuzzer do you know what make / model subs will fit in the back shelf?

as far as i know, the 202 only has 2 or 4x 6" holes in the rear shelf(2 or 4 depending on year and model), you will probably get a good midbass unit to fit in, but as far as i know there are very few subs that will go in there.

 

[1998K]

To anyone it might help, I have today sorted my aerial problem. Turns out that the aerial plug on the original aerial lead that come up to the radio is no good. If i wiggle and tilt the plug whilst on the radio it picks up all stations just fine.........so it looks like i need a new aerial plug & will need to chop the old one off and solder the new one on....I guess i will have to make a trip to Maplins tomorrow.

it´s the same problem I had , and, if I´m not wrong, I´ve suggested you to check times ago.

I solved with a new antenna adapter and a good solder work...made myself:bannana:

 

[bolide]

Subs

You can hang a much bigger sub (ie bigger than the hole) from the rear shelf and use the hole(s) to vent it to the car interior

I've seen a 12" sub mounted under the shelf on a 2" slab of MDF (to give clearance for cone movement) in a free-air setup with the back of the sub open to the boot. Sounded great!

Or you can build a sealed box of about 1 cu ft and hang it there - or go bigger & have a ported box, or (probably the worst option sonically) just throw a sub in a shop-bought sub box in the boot and use the holes in the shelf to vent to the interior

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk