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Becker 1492

Ctibulschii

E500E Enthusiast
Member
Hello everyone! I’m looking for options to get Bluetooth or Auxiliary port on my ‘94 E500.
it currently has the stock Becker 1492. I’m looking between adding Bluetooth streaming to it or replacing it with the Continental VDO unit. Found some kind of adapters online and was wondering if that’s going to work plug and play on 1492. Or should I send it to Becker auto sound, or even easier get a new Continental VDO unit?

Also the sound quality in my E500 is really kind a poor, I get some kind of a over-bass when making it louder. And i don’t know either it’s the head unit or something wrong with the speakers/system itself.
I will highly appreciate any suggestions. Thank you in advance!
 

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The items you picture above will not work on a 1492, which has a different connector on the rear. These will work on TrafficPro type radios or possibly the Conti/VDO.

I usually replace the 1492 with a TrafficPro of some sort, to get the in-dash CD function, and auxiliary input. But, you should be able to get Blueteeth via the 1492 if you want to keep the OE appearance.

The sound quality issues are hard to diagnose without more details. I assume bass/treble have been adjusted? The sound quality on the stock system is pretty good - not great, but good. Adding a CD/digital source makes it very good.

:gsxrock:
 
The items you picture above will not work on a 1492, which has a different connector on the rear. These will work on TrafficPro type radios or possibly the Conti/VDO.

I usually replace the 1492 with a TrafficPro of some sort, to get the in-dash CD function, and auxiliary input. But, you should be able to get Blueteeth via the 1492 if you want to keep the OE appearance.

The sound quality issues are hard to diagnose without more details. I assume bass/treble have been adjusted? The sound quality on the stock system is pretty good - not great, but good. Adding a CD/digital source makes it very good.

:gsxrock:
Thank you @gsxr for your comment on this, as always your are on time every time.
I wish I could attach the video with the sound quality, it’s more likely coming from the door driver side. I’m running CD’s and it doesn’t really help it. Still get the stupid bass that’s coming out of it, it’s like one of the speakers are broken/ripped.

Are there any kind of adapters for the 1492 without going to Becker auto sound?
 
Look for an adapter that fits the 10-pin connector on the 1492, shown below. Easy to see the difference. Most all MB radios from 1994-up (in USA) to late 90's/early 00's use the same connector.

1492_05.jpg

1492_06_pinouts.jpg
 
The items you picture above will not work on a 1492, which has a different connector on the rear. These will work on TrafficPro type radios or possibly the Conti/VDO.

I usually replace the 1492 with a TrafficPro of some sort, to get the in-dash CD function, and auxiliary input. But, you should be able to get Blueteeth via the 1492 if you want to keep the OE appearance.

The sound quality issues are hard to diagnose without more details. I assume bass/treble have been adjusted? The sound quality on the stock system is pretty good - not great, but good. Adding a CD/digital source makes it very good.

:gsxrock:
What model number traffic pro? I've read that the Becker, the

Mercedes-Benz MF2297 and Audio 10 have different sounds?! There is also another Becker I can not remember the name of that is supposed to have the best sound. IDK​


Becker Monza is supposed to have great sound.
 
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Any of the TrafficPro models should be plug+play to replace a 1492, or other 1994-1999 (approximately) head unit. The common one is #4773, I think, but there are a couple dozen variations, some in different colors (amber vs green), some for BMW, Land Rover, etc.

🥁
 
I have my own issues with upgrading my earlier system however I'll mention recent removal of my rear package tray and speaker covers revealed nearly all the foam from the covers laying on and virtually covering the speaker cones. I recommend folks having a look at theirs.

drew
 
I think he meant the thin foam sheet in the grille, between the perforated outer cover and the plastic frame underneath, had broken into little squares which were sitting on the cone.

if the cone surround was damaged (not common), it should be quite audible.

:gsxrock:
 
The sound system was inoperative at purchase and I'm only now looking into things. I did recently read someone else here that did experience a degradation of sound from the same cause.

drew
 
Bumping this thread because I noticed these Becker BT dongles are popping up all over eBay (search for BE1650 bluetooth) for $13 or so. It has the 10-pin CD changer female plug. Who wants to be the guinea pig and see if it'll work on the BE1492? :brudda:
 

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Bumping this thread because I noticed these Becker BT dongles are popping up all over eBay (search for BE1650 bluetooth) for $13 or so. It has the 10-pin CD changer female plug. Who wants to be the guinea pig and see if itll work on the BE1492? :brudda:
I tried it with Beker 3309 and it does't work
 
With only 5 wires to the connector (2 power, 3 audio), it is impossible for the whichever audio unit used to control the dongle.
I tried with a 1492; it cannot and does not work.
With modification it will work with applications that don’t require external control.
 
With only 5 wires to the connector (2 power, 3 audio), it is impossible for the whichever audio unit used to control the dongle.
I tried with a 1492; it cannot and does not work.
With modification it will work with applications that don’t require external control.
I've been trying to crack this recently, as I don't want a new or aftermarket head unit, I have a 1692 and theres a 6th signal that needs to be identified - which is the 'serial bus' signal or something that is basically telling the radio that a cd changer is present and plugged in. If anyone has info on this tap in
 
Ive been trying to crack this recently, as I dont want a new or aftermarket head unit, I have a 1692 and theres a 6th signal that needs to be identified - which is the serial bus signal or something that is basically telling the radio that a cd changer is present and plugged in. If anyone has info on this tap in

You could use a Yatour CD Changer Emulator for Becker 1692/1492. I personally don't have a 1692 but I've used Yatour CD Changer Emulators for multiple various Becker models and they work well. Bluetooth USB SD Adapter MP3 Changer Fits Mercedes BE2210 BE1650 BE1350 | eBay
 
Been long aware of this i’m just convinced i can build one sub $40 lol
OK Then. If the 1692 is the same as the Becker/Alpine 1492, then I think it might use the old Alpine M-Bus Protocol....


Attached file below "print to pdf" inspiration from Mr. @maw1124. Looking at all that documentation, you are more determined than I. All that reverse engineering / microcontroller programming would be too much effort for me.

Screenshot 2023-06-04 at 5.52.27 PM.png
 

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No obvious place to connect pair of Data leads from HU to the (otherwise impressive functionality and construction) adaptor that will allow HU to control; only L & R audio and power…

The adaptor has all the controls one needs but PITA to use compared to HU-controlled.

Would need an AUX input rather than CD input.

IMG_2330.jpeg
 
Did some more sleuthing, All of our factory becker radios use TDA7310 as an input chip (this sits under the cassette mechanism I just verified, this is likely where youtube user "darieee", as well as becker auto sound tap into and instal a bluetooth module hard soldered in, while grabbing 5V with a voltage converter by tapping the internal antennae circuit.

This kinda has nothing to do with what I was trying to do which is make a cheaper yatour basically. But hey its more info. Additionally the QUICK aux mod is tapping into the casette mechanism as it is, and inserting a dummy tape (no tape in housing). Photo Below where you would tap in an aux cord R + L + GND. GND can be soldered where i pointed to but also can be attached to the chassis via a screw.
IMG_1428.jpg
 
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This kinda has nothing to do with what I was trying to do which is make a cheaper yatour basically. But hey its more info. Additionally the QUICK aux mod is tapping into the casette mechanism as it is, and inserting a dummy tape (no tape in housing). Photo Below where you would tap in an aux cord R + L + GND. GND can be soldered where i pointed to but also can be attached to the chassis via a screw.
@asultan can you give some more details? The soldering points you are talking about - are these tape head signals? Pre or post Dolby chip processing? What kind of signal it will accept - I guess low voltage pre-amp? This looks very tempting and simple to achieve...
 
@asultan can you give some more details? The soldering points you are talking about - are these tape head signals? Pre or post Dolby chip processing? What kind of signal it will accept - I guess low voltage pre-amp? This looks very tempting and simple to achieve...
To my knowledge these are post dolby. Will take any line level input seeing as its post dolby, which means that no additional preamplification (mic level) is necessary before it hits the radios actual amp circuitry. so yeah as i said... an aux cord can be tapped in there
 
Did some more sleuthing, All of our factory becker radios use TDA7310 as an input chip (this sits under the cassette mechanism I just verified, this is likely where youtube user "darieee", as well as becker auto sound tap into and instal a bluetooth module hard soldered in, while grabbing 5V with a voltage converter by tapping the internal antennae circuit.

This kinda has nothing to do with what I was trying to do which is make a cheaper yatour basically. But hey its more info. Additionally the QUICK aux mod is tapping into the casette mechanism as it is, and inserting a dummy tape (no tape in housing). Photo Below where you would tap in an aux cord R + L + GND. GND can be soldered where i pointed to but also can be attached to the chassis via a screw.
View attachment 168672
Hi;

Today, I connected and operated a simple module for my Becker BE-1492 Radio Tape from the section mentioned in this message.

1- It is necessary to insert a hollow tape cassette for it to work. Thus, you can listen to music by connecting via Bluetooth connection in tape mode.

2- Since the Bluetooth module is also active when you insert a normal tape cassette, the sound of the audio cassette becomes a little weaker.
I think it is a simple, cheap and easy solution.

1694535412921.png
 
The way Becker does it, for the 1492, does not require a cassette to be inserted. Rather, you just shift the head unit's mode to AM radio, and then Bluetooth is enabled and you can play directly. You just need to find an AM frequency where there is no broadcast present. The phone will connect to the Bluetooth (head unit) automatically once it has been paired.

I have a BE-1492 in my E500 as well as an earlier BE-1480 in my 1989 560SEC and both work excellently with Bluetooth, as well as retaining full cassette capability (and on the BE-1492, full iPod connectivity when in "CD changer" mode.

In my opinion it is worth sending any head unit into Becker for a full repair/refirb and the addition of a Bluetooth module.

Cheers,
Gerry
 
You could use a Yatour CD Changer Emulator for Becker 1692/1492. I personally don't have a 1692 but I've used Yatour CD Changer Emulators for multiple various Becker models and they work well. Bluetooth USB SD Adapter MP3 Changer Fits Mercedes BE2210 BE1650 BE1350 | eBay
This is the adapter that the iPod adapter module uses to emulate the factory Alpine CD changer for the BE-1492/1692. I believe the brand of the CD changer adapter for the iPod that I got around 20 years ago (and still use to this day) was made by BlitzSafe.


This works well and I still have it connected to an 80GB large size iPod.
 
The way Becker does it, for the 1492, does not require a cassette to be inserted. Rather, you just shift the head unit's mode to AM radio, and then Bluetooth is enabled and you can play directly. You just need to find an AM frequency where there is no broadcast present. The phone will connect to the Bluetooth (head unit) automatically once it has been paired.

I have a BE-1492 in my E500 as well as an earlier BE-1480 in my 1989 560SEC and both work excellently with Bluetooth, as well as retaining full cassette capability (and on the BE-1492, full iPod connectivity when in "CD changer" mode.

In my opinion it is worth sending any head unit into Becker for a full repair/refirb and the addition of a Bluetooth module.

Cheers,
Gerry
Hi Gerry;
Is the working method you mentioned valid for the Module I used in my post?
Or are you talking about another module?
It would definitely be more practical to use it without a cassette.
 
Hi Gerry;
Is the working method you mentioned valid for the Module I used in my post?
Or are you talking about another module?
It would definitely be more practical to use it without a cassette.
I don't really know it was done from a technical perspective, as I just sent the units in to Becker to have them refurbished/repaired, and also the Bluetooth module installed at the same time in each one.

The BE-1480, I originally had a 1/4" AUX plug installed probably back around 2009, which I had mounted to the carpet on the driver's side of the transmission tunnel just ahead of the seat. That way I could plug a phone/iPod into it with a short cord. However, when the Bloot module was installed this go-around, Becker removed the 1/4" AUX input. Bloot is much more seamless anyhoo.
 
Slight update, as I believe the connection method of the bluetooth units that Becker installs has changed over the years.

Mine (modified and installed by becker on my 1492 in January of 2020) also does not require a tape, but also does not require a specific radio band selection either. If the head unit is ON and in radio mode, the bluetooth module in the radio is available for ‘pairing’. Once paired the unit automatically shifts from the radio input to the bluetooth input. The only way to return to a radio signal is by un-pairing the paired device, or turning off the bluetooth connection on the paired device.

Note: if you have previously paired a device with the becker, the device will automatically re-pair with the becker when you return to the vehicle and turn the radio on. I actually find this annoying as I like to listen to Spotify on my way home from work, and the radio on my way to work. Lol.
 

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