Radio cuts out once car is in gear

I purchased a 550 barchetta with a brand new factory becker radio in the car.
While the car is parked and in neutral, the radio works fine. As soon as I start driving, the radio cuts off and the screen says phone. Do any of you guy know what might be the problem? I called the factory dealer I purchased the car from and they have no clue.

 

Yes,..... the problem is your driving a convertible Ferrari and attempting to listen to the radio at the same time,tsk,tsk. The ECU is unable to process these two conflicting requests.....next you'll be telling us you don't have tubis either.....sheesh!

 

It has not been a big deal for me, since yes I do have a tubi exhaust.

 

Yes, Barchetta and tubis...one of the best combos on g-ds earth! I'm sure your enjoying them.

Now,...why on earth did you even turn on the radio in the first place?

On a more serious note, I would bypass the dealer in regards to the radio....perhaps look up the manufacturers info in the included radio/stereo manual and try contacting them directly? If anybody can figure it out, Im sure they're the ones...

 

GoldyF355, you are correct. The sound of the car is amazing. There really is no reason to turn the radio on. The only reason I am asking this forum for help, is it would be nice to have it working, since the dealer charged the seller of my car $1,600 for a new one. They claimed the original radio was not working.

I looked through all the Becker manuals and there is nothing mentioned with my problem. I guess I will give them a call.

 

Here's a shot in the dark: Get ahold of a good (high impedance) voltmeter and check out the battery voltage when the car is stopped and then again when underway. If it's out of the 12.5 to 13.5 range, look into the battery and charging circuits.

FWIW,
Al

 

The obvious: The radio is designed to be connected to an integral car phone, and to mute when the phone rings or is in use. Do you have a phone built into the car? If so, try disconnecting it. If not, that at least may narrow down the problem with the radio's internals.

The radio should still be under warranty, yes? A replacement may be the simplest fix.

 

Another thought -- if the radio has bluetooth capabilities, maybe it's picking up your cellphone.

 

Your problem is easily explained:

RULES 2 and 3 apply to you so only posted them here.


As the owner of an Italian vehicle, you have undoubtedly found that, from time to time, the thing defies all known laws of Physics. Distinguished researchers from all over the world have spent entire lives trying to understand such phenomena. Recently, the Six Laws of Italian Sports Cars were discovered, thus reducing most owners' dependency on sorcerers and prayer, to keep such cars running.

Careless application of these laws to any individual auto may fix the problems of the moment, but cause hives or allergies in said owners.


2) THE LAW OF NON-FUNCTIONAL APPARATUS
"All Italian Sports Cars, regardless of age, shall have at least one system or component which does not work, and cannot be repaired. Such a part shall never be mentioned in the Official Shop Manual, although there may be an out-of-focus picture shown." It goes without saying that such parts should never under any circumstances be removed, lest the natural balance of the car be upset.


3)THE LAW OF ELECTRICAL CHAOS
"All Italian Sports Cars shall be wired at the Factory by a cross-eyed, color-blind worker, using whatever supplies are within reach. All wires shall change color-code at least once between energy source and component. all grounds shall be partially insulated." This tends to guarantee that the owner of such vehicles will eventually be intimately familiar with its electrical system, since he will need to trace out each wire, then rewrite his Official Schematic, which will differ from all others in at least one area.

 

If your dealer doesnt take care of it for you, you can send it to Becker in NJ to have it looked at. Becker's phone number is 201-327-3434 x 1205

There is a pin ont he back of the radio that gets grounded to activate the phone/mute function. It is possible if something is hooked up there that it is grounding somewhere in the console when you put the vehicle in gear. It is also possible that the radio is defective.

 

You beat me to it, but I would also think there is a hands free kit in the car or what is left of it. Check the mute wire to the radio and if you are not using a hands free cell phone kit, then cut it and see what happens. The mute wire will work off of a ground input and if the wire is touching something metal, it will cause your problem.

 

^ exactly what he said, I doubt it the quality Becker radio.

 

Thanks guys, I will give it a try.
I called Becker and left a message, but I have not received a call back.
To my knowledge, the car is all original and had no handsfree kit installed. Hopefully it is something easy like the mute button, but I doubt it. Is there a specific way I should remove the stereo or should I just take it to a local stereo shop?

 

The radio will pull right out with removal keys. You can get them at a Mercedes Dealer for $5 or from Becker in NJ

If the radio is only going to phone mode when you shift out of neutral i doubt it is a radio problem.

 

I received a call from Becker today. The problem is easily to fix. When the dealer installed the radio, they grounded the wrong wire. The rep from Becker faxed me a drawing showing me exactly which wire it is. He was very helpful, but could not understand why I wanted the radio to work in my car. He told me that if it was his car, he would never use the radio. I don't think he was kidding.