E2 / E3 Code on Becker 1432 radio

[aspkiller]

Getting my '92 500E ready for sale and found that the 1432 radio has no sound or info on the screen, other than the ask for the unlock code and then shows the trouble code E3. Before mothballing the car, my wife said she was having some intermittent problems with it not playing. The head has power, all cables are connected, the antenna rises and a cassette will turn and wind. Then, after a few seconds, the E3 code shows, unit shuts down and the antenna lowers.

The receiver has 12v and the deck has power and will run through a check loading process. Continuity for both com cables has been checked, I would like to know if one bad amplifier could cause the above symptoms. If not, then would the tuner be the most likely failure?

Thanks for any help with this.

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

I just went through this. I think the E2 or E3 code means that the dash unit is not able to talk to the unit in the trunk.

My 500E has the trunk-mounted CD changer, which is not repairable because parts are NLA. However, Becker in Saddle Brook, NJ, can repair the other two units- fixed price is about $480 and if the trunk unit was damaged by water, an additional $50. Turnaround time is very quick- I think less than a week. I have had a number of Becker radios done by them and they do a good job. The original radio does sound very good once tuned up. I may add an aftermarket CD unit to mine.

 

[niz93]

e2 - radio module offline
e3 - CD changer online, radio module offline

check fuse and power wire, after check data cable

sometimes, especially after inactivity, the radio module requires replacing electrolytic capacitors, a typical problem

 

[rupak_hsa]

e2 - radio module offline
e3 - CD changer online, radio module offline

check fuse and power wire, after check data cable

sometimes, especially after inactivity, the radio module requires replacing electrolytic capacitors, a typical problem

Sorry, the radio module means the head unit? Or the capacitors in the trunk mounted receiver?

 

[niz93]

yes, the receiver is a radio unit, it's in the trunk)
in head unit no radio module

 

[niz93]

Troubleshooting the 1991-1993 Multi-Component 1432 Systems

Error Codes "E CODE"

"NO DISPLAY"
1 Input Power to the HEAD UNIT(dash mounted) is missing. Check with volt meter to test for 12 volts
2 Fuse of the HEAD UNIT(dash mounted) is open, Replace it with a 5 amp fuse
3 HEAD UNIT(dash mounted)is defective

"E1"
1 HEAD UNIT is defective

"E2"or "E3" (Without CD Changer)

1 Input Power to the RECEIVER UNIT (Trunk mounted) is missing, Check with volt meter to test for 12 volts
2 Fuse of the RECEIVER UNIT (Trunk mounted) is open, Replace it with 7.5 amp fuse.
3 The BUS CABLE (gray colored) that connects to HEAD UNIT(dash mounted) to the RECEIVER UNIT(trunk mounted) is not connected or is defective.
4 RECEIVER UNIT(trunk mounted) is defective.

"E2 or "E3" (With CD Changer)

1 Input power to RECEIVER UNIT (Trunk mounted) is missing, Use a voltmeter to test for 12 volts
2 Check the RECEIVER UNIT for an open fuse and replace with 7.5 amp
3 Input power to the CD CHANGER (Trunk mounted) is missing, check with volt meter to test 12 volts
4 BUS CABLE (gray colored) is defective or disconnected,
5 CD CHANGER is defective, Disconnect the CD CHANGER from the HEAD UNIT, if the E2 code disappears, Replace the CD CHANGER,
6 RECEIVER UNIT (Trunk mounted) is defective.

"E4"

1 RECEIVER UNIT (Trunk mounted) is defective.
2 CD CHANGER (Trunk mounted) is defective. Remove the CD CHANGER If the E4 code disappears, Replace the CD CHANGER

"E5"

1 RECEIVER UNIT (Trunk mounted) is defective