Diagram Mercedes Radio Wiring Color Codes
Have you ever tried to replace or upgrade the old radio in your Mercedes Benz only to find a confusing mess of wires behind the dashboard? Do you want to install an aftermarket car stereo in your Mercedes, but don’t know which wire colors and harness adapters to get? Read on for the inside scoop to seamlessly integrate an aftermarket stereo into your Benz.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What the different Mercedes radio wire colors and functions mean
- How to decode Mercedes wiring diagrams by model and year
- The precise wire colors and diagrams for popular stereos
- Dash kit, antenna adapters, and wiring harness needs
- Step-by-step installation instructions and tips
- Common troubleshooting questions for sound issues
Follow these awesome Mercedes radio wiring tips to upgrade your ride’s sound system to modern standards. Knowing the harness and wire color codes ahead of time makes installation much smoother.
Diagram Mercedes Radio Wiring Color Codes
Diagram 1:
Diagram 2:
Diagram 3:
Diagram 4:
What is a Car Stereo Wiring Diagram?
A car stereo wiring diagram is a simple visual representation of the connections required to wiring an aftermarket car stereo into the car. The diagram depicts the different color codes for the various wires and connections.
This color coded guide makes installation far less stressful, as you know exactly which wire connects to what. No more guessing which mystery wire is for the dimmer or antenna.
Wiring diagrams are essential for installing aftermarket stereos, car audio equipment, satellite radio tuners, remote starts, alarm systems, mobile navigation units, and more. The diagram simplifies integrating add-on electronics so they can tap into the existing factory radio wires for power, ground, illumination, ignition and other essential functions.
Mercedes Radio Wire Colors and Functions
Below is a breakdown showing the typical Merceles benz radio wiring diagram color codes, what they mean, and their functions:
- Red – Constant 12V supply for memory retention
- Yellow – 12V switched power supply line (only live when ignition is on)
- Black – Vehicle ground wire
- Blue – Power antenna remote turn-on lead
- Orange – Illumination wire for the head unit when lights are on
- White – Front left positive speaker wire
- White with Black stripe – Front left negative speaker wire
- Gray – Front right positive speaker wire
- Gray with Black stripe – Front right negative speaker wire
- Green – Rear left positive speaker wire
- Green with Black stripe – Rear left negative speaker wire
- Purple – Rear right positive speaker wire
- Purple with Black stripe – Rear right negative speaker wire
- Blue with White stripe – Power amplifier turn-on lead
- Blue with Black stripe – Power antenna turn-on lead
- Pink – Data wire for steering wheel control interfaces
So in summary:
- Red = Memory/constant power
- Yellow = Switched ignition power
- Black = Vehicle ground
- Blue/white stripe = Amp on signal
- Blue/black stripe = Power antenna
- Orange = Dimmer for illumination
And the speaker wires follow a logical color convention:
- Solid colors = Positive wires
- Black stripes = Negative wires
So white is front left positive, white/black is front left negative. Gray is front right positive, gray/black is front right negative, etc.
Stereo Wiring Diagrams by Mercedes Model
Here are the typical Mercedes Benz car stereo wire colors referenced in radio wiring diagrams by the most popular Mercedes-Benz models and years:
Mercedes C-Class Radio Wiring
1994-2000 C-Class
- Radio 12V+ Wire: Yellow/Black
- Radio Ground Wire: Brown
- Radio Ignition Wire: No wire
- Radio Illumination Wire: Orange/Red
- Radio Antenna Trigger Wire: N/A
- Amplifier Turn On Wire: N/A
2001-2005 C-Class
- Radio 12V+ Wire: Red/Black
- Radio Ground Wire: Brown
- Radio Ignition Wire: No wire
- Radio Illumination Wire: Orange/White
- Radio Antenna Trigger Wire: Blue/White
- Amplifier Turn On Wire: White/Red
2006-2015 C-Class
- Radio 12V+ Wire: Red
- Radio Ground Wire: Brown
- Radio Ignition Wire: Yellow/Red
- Radio Illumination Wire: Orange/White
- Radio Antenna Trigger Wire: Blue/Black
- Amplifier Turn On Wire: White/Red
Mercedes E-Class Radio Wiring
2003-2009 E-Class
- Radio 12V+ Wire: Red
- Radio Ground Wire: Brown
- Radio Ignition Wire: Yellow
- Radio Illumination Wire: Orange/White
- Radio Antenna Trigger Wire: Gray/Red
- Amplifier Turn On Wire: White
2010-2016 E-Class
- Radio 12V+ Wire: Red
- Radio Ground Wire: Brown
- Radio Ignition Wire: Yellow/Red
- Radio Illumination Wire: Orange/White
- Radio Antenna Trigger Wire: N/A
- Amplifier Turn On Wire: White/Red
2017 on E-Class
- Radio 12V+ Wire: Red
- Radio Ground Wire: Brown
- Radio Ignition Wire: Pink/Black
- Radio Illumination Wire: Orange/White
- Radio Antenna Trigger Wire: N/A
- Amplifier Turn On Wire: White/Red
And so on for S-Class, M-Class, GLK-Class, SLK-Class etc. Refer to a wiring diagram for your exact Mercedes model and year.
Identifying Aftermarket Mercedes Stereo Wire Colors
The hardest part is identifying the wires behind your factory radio to connect up your new head unit. Here is the secret sauce:
Use an appropriate wiring harness adapter for the make, model, and year of your Mercedes Benz.
Top brands like Metra make harness adapters that plug into your new head unit and supply the matching Mercedes Benz connector at the other end. This avoids having to cut any wires.
Here are some of the top stereo wiring harness adapters specifically for Mercedes Benz vehicles:
- Axxess ASWC-1 interface retaining steering wheel controls
- Metra 40-EU10 antenna adapter
- Metra 70-17 receiver wiring harness
- Scosche MB2 wire harness fits 2002-2015 Mercedes
The harness breaks out all the individual color coded wires described previously. So there will be red, yellow, black, blue striped, orange, white, gray etc pre-wired in for you.
Some tips for securing the correct wiring harness:
- Verify the manufacture year, make, and model
- Ensure the connector type and shape matches up
- Confirm the wire colors and functions align
Then it is just carefully matching up colors on the car stereo wiring diagram included with the new head unit.
No splicing needed! This makes installation exponentially easier.
How to Install an Aftermarket Car Stereo in a Mercedes
Once you have gathered up the proper dash kit, wiring harness adapter, and other install accessories, you are ready to upgrade the sound. Here is how to install an aftermarket stereo in a Mercedes:
- Turn off ignition switch and disconnect battery negative terminal
- Unscrew factory radio trim bezels to pop out the factory head unit
- Unplug all connectors attached to the rear of factory radio
- Remove metal bracket securing the factory Mercedes radio
- Slide radio out and remove antenna cable and harness at back
- Attach antenna adapter cable to aftermarket stereo antenna jack
- Connect new wiring harness adapter via matching colors
- Mount new car stereo using dash kit brackets and hardware
- Reconnect battery negative terminal wire when finished
- Program radio presets and test all stereo functions
Some models may require an antenna adapter to go from the proprietary Mercedes Benz connection to a standard FAKRA jack. Be gentle removing trim panels – they crack easily!
FAQs and Troubleshooting Mercedes Stereo Installation
Below are the most common questions and issues that come up when installing a new head unit:
No sound comes out but the stereo powers on?
Double check all wires are properly matched up, especially the speaker connections. Ensure stripped wire ends have solid contact.
The radio keeps blowing fuses when plugged in?
Check for short circuits between positive and ground wiring. Also try grounding to a different surface area or wire.
How do I retain steering wheel controls with my new stereo?
Use the Axxess ASWC-1 interface module specifically designed for Mercedes Benz models.
Do I need to code or program the new radio to work?
Most universal head units will work right away. Some models may need coding with manufacturer software to enable video in motion etc.
And beware that one wrong wire or improper connection can destroy that expensive new stereo in seconds.
Review the car stereo wiring diagram again if anything is amiss functionality wise after the install. More likely it is an adapter issue versus a fault with the stereo itself.
In Summary…
Upgrading your Mercedes Benz sound system is doable for the weekend gearhead armed with accurate wiring diagrams detailing the radio wire colors and harness connectors.
Having the model-specific adapter simplifies splicing into the right wires. No need to memorize the rainbow Mercedes wire diagram color codes.
Hopefully these awesome Mercedes radio wiring tips give you confidence to install an aftermarket stereo, amplifier or other electronics yourself just by correctly matching colors and functions. That factoryVillages tape deck or underpowered sound system can finally be a distant memory!
What tips would you add for installing a new stereo head unit or components in a Mercedes vehicle? Please add your advice in the comments to help others learn. The more tech talk the merrier when it comes to consumer electronics integration.
