Sounds like your radio is fritzed... My question is does your factory fader
still work on center console?

I suggest your radio is the "canary in the coal mine" and is displaying
another problem - unrelated to the radio.

If this were my car I would check the battery, its connections and the
alternator's output. The alternator uses diodes to regulate its output
(voltage regulator) and these diodes fail after a very long time, like
19 years! The diodes alone can be replaced.

If nothing is found then I'd put an amp meter on the radio's circuit to
check its (actual vs. specified) power draw. And unplug the power
antenna's power supply line to ensure its motor isn't the cause.

I n response to the replys.
First: Thank You

As for feedback
yes the fader works fine
the battery is brand new
I will replace the diodes as soon as I find them.
I tried with the power antenna disconnected and the same problem
exists. Something else I noticed is it seems to do fine while the
engine is not running.
This is weird as I have the same stereo in my wife's 300D
and it works fine.
Could the accellarator be somehow electronically tyed into the radio?
Or maybe the cruise control? Just grabbing at straws.--NW