Polar Bear

If you previously owned a 2000-2002 W210 E-class (or any other Mercedes model that offers this function), you probably recall the ability to search radio presets in the instrument cluster using the steering wheel controls. This was removed when the system went to the MOST system in 2003 but later brought back in 2007 on the facelift models. However, now it can be restored by your dealer following some simple steps. This will give you the opportunity to have the feature enabled in the instrument cluster and also get your Audio Gateway and COMAND unit upgraded to the latest software, which provides an ETA on the map screen while in Navigation mode, and also handles MP3 audio files much better. This update also will display CD-TEXT compatible audio disc track titles in the instrument cluster, and overall makes the device operate more stable. Many of you may already have this update - if so you can have the AGW update performed and the Audio Search function enabled in the instrument cluster perhaps on your next visit for service. I was glad to see this feature available as there are few strong radio stations in this area and the radio seek function did not work well attempting to locate stations that it deemed strong enough to listen to.

Please note this only works on standard radio presets, and does NOT have an effect on SAT (SDARS) radio presets - it will still increment the channel number in the limits of the category selected on the COMAND screen.

Mention DTB P-B-82.60/382b and request this be performed which includes updating the COMAND software using service tool W211 589 14 22 00 (software version 46/06 (week/year)). Also, using SDS, the AGW can be updated to version 08/05 using Star Diagnosis version 04/07 or newer.

This DTB addresses the following complaints:

COMAND Head Unit Mismatching Radio Stations or Frequency Bands, Disc Drive Errors, CD Changer Panel Stuck, Head Unit Resets, Navigation Destination Entry Errors and Various Audio Conditions

This update will also work with a Euro COMAND using the most recent COMAND update for the Euro COMAND unit. This should be part number W211 589 13 22 00 version 30/06 for the COMAND upgrade.

Also, if it matters, this will disable access to "ENGINEERING MODE" on the COMAND unit (which is probably a good thing in most cases) but does allow the "5-3-7" to continue functioning if you have a need to change the Euro COMAND back to US mode to use SAT radio.

I am unsure what the dealer will charge for this procedure as I performed it myself. I would expect the DTB would be covered as a warranty expense, however the version coding of the instrument cluster I expect may not be.

After the update is applied, you will see a new option under the Vehicle subcategory in the instrument cluster settings:



After selecting this, you will be able to enable Memory (preset) or Frequency (seek) searching.

soysauce021

thanks Polar. I did the 46/06 COMAND update myself already and did not see that option under "Vehicle", but will mention about upgrading the AGW next time I am in.

timannnn

You say the dtb covers "various audio conditions". What exactly is that? I have noticed that the harmon kardon sound output has been weird. It seems like the the front middle speaker (up on the dash) goes on and off while listening to Cd's. It seems like the amp can't figure out which sounds to output to the center channel.

Just courious.

Also what does the version coding for the instrument cluster do? If the dtb covers the preset "add-on" in the dash why would they have to version code the cluster?

Sorry if these are newb questions but just trying to learn.

Polar Bear

For the option to appear in the Instrument Cluster, you must have the dealer (or someone with SDS) configure this option for you by changing the coding on the Instrument Cluster. Also, the AGW update may be needed for it to actually work after it is coded.

In regards to "various audio conditions" it could indeed be the AGW software, and the software update for the AGW may take care of it. The AGW can only be updated using SDS so a dealer or someone with SDS would need to update it for you.

The DTB itself actually doesn't cover the feature listed above - it only addresses updating the COMAND and AGW, which are prerequisites for the above feature and corrects other various issues.

If you just go to the dealer and request the Instrument Cluster be version coded to show the "Audio Search Type" option, they may not be aware that it is functional, or may not be aware the DTB needs to be performed to make it functional. I would recommend requesting the to the dealer the DTB be carried out to increase COMAND functionality, and at the same time request the Instrument Cluster be configured to show the Search Type using SDS.

cocacola

After this update, I experienced sync problem between COMAND screen and the IC. The COMAND screen display correctly, but their is some delay on the IC to display. Sepcially when you switching several radio station on the COMAND, or change CD track. Then, you will see that the IC still showing the previous information and takes so long to sync up with the COMAND.

tashakes

Thanks for the info. As much as I would love to have the nav info on the IC and the ETA on the display, I just cannot give up the flexibility I have with the Eng. Mode on my Euro COMAND. I wish there was a workaround for that, but I guess MB engineers did not want regular folks access to their menus any longer, which I can sort of understand.

Cheers.

Polar Bear

Do you have an iPod integration kit?

Polar Bear

Whatever settings you have configured in Engineering Mode should stick. What exactly do you use this menu for on a regular basis?

Polar Bear

The Nav info should be on the cluster without this update.

cocacola

Yes, I have Ipod integration kit installed. Will that make any different?

Polar Bear

Yes. You have an old software version on your iPod Integration Kit. When you update the COMAND software, the iPod Integration Kit does not pass the additional CAN information needed by the newer COMAND software and drops the information, resulting in the delay you are seeing. You will need to replace the iPod module with a new one to remedy this. This also sets a CAN communication error with AGW code in the Instrument Cluster when this happens.

Upgrading your iPod module is the fix.

cocacola

Thank you Polar Bear. I found the part# for new iPod module B6 782 42 52. Is this the right one for me?

tashakes

I play a lot of concert DVD's, don't watch much but I like listening and having passengers entertained. When I let my kids borrow my car, I take the video in motion option off so they do not get distracted. A case of do as I say not as I do for this one. Also, the key word on your statement scares me a bit, SHOULD stick....

I do not have the nav info on the IC display, I thought only through the update you were able to get it.

Benz-O-Rama

Thanks Polar Bear! Great info. I've been waiting for this to become available.

Polar Bear

That makes sense, as long as your kids don't search the internet and find out how to turn it back on!

You should get your Nav in the IC by simply version coding the cluster at the dealer. This actually has nothing to do with the update and has been around since 2000!

Polar Bear

I don't have access to that info tonight but should be able to find out tomorrow.

tashakes

That's awesome, I will get it done next visit, is it done with STAR? If you could let me know where they need to look for it, would be great, sometimes they are not as knowledgeable as we would like.....

Taimoor

I believe version coding is not related to STAR.
Its a seperate thing.
I might be wrong.

High Technology

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I think the answer to the issue that troubles me lies within...

I have a 2006 E500 that I got CPO about a year ago. It appears to have the updated COMMAND software already that is referenced above, as I have the ETA on my NAV and CD-Text on my instrument cluster referenced above.

My problem is the delay between the COMMAND and the instrument cluster. Oftentimes when I change radio stations, the instrument cluster is 5-10 seconds behind the COMMAND. Other times it's only a split-second (which doesn't bother me).

I've taken it to the dealer twice in the past few weeks, and on the second appointment they flashed the COMMAND, but the issue remains. I don't see any new behavior, so I don't know if there is a newer version of the COMMAND software, but it seems like I already had what is referenced above.

I have no idea if the audio gateway was updated -- all my invoice said is flash COMMAND and that there is no known solution to this problem. But I do have the iPod interface, so has anyone confirmed that swapping the iPod interface is the solution to this problem? Also is there a Mercedes technical bulletin on this issue that I can point the dealer to as a reference?

Thanks in advance!

nyclad

Just swapped out my iPod module for B 6 782 4252 manufactured 2-2-2009 no more delay between comand and IC.

High Technology

Thanks!

Polar Bear

Haven't been here in a while, but yes, that should fix that problem. Should be a warranty item if under CPO or MFG warranty. There is a DTB that addresses it.