2008 C300 COMAND DEAD
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2008 C300
2008 C300 COMAND DEAD **UPDATE**
I got into the car this morning and turned the key...just like I have done about 221 times before and the COMAND is dead! The screen didn't pop up..I have no lights on the COMAND...radio doesn't work..no bluetooth..no NAV. Nothing. When I go to the speedo controls I see --- where audio and nav are.
Of course I will take it to the dealer...but will check the fuses first. I searched and found very few threads about the COMAND not working...audio cutouts and such.
Has this happened to anyone else here?
VERY frustrated on my 45 minute drive to work this morning in total silence!
Of course I will take it to the dealer...but will check the fuses first. I searched and found very few threads about the COMAND not working...audio cutouts and such.
Has this happened to anyone else here?
VERY frustrated on my 45 minute drive to work this morning in total silence!
Last edited by Hazemonster; Oct 15, 2008 at 12:41 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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2008 C300
Yes Ron..I do have the VIM..and have thought of that, thank you. I sent a PM to Rob at MidCity....but if I can't figure it out (fuse or something) then I will have to remove all of that before taking it to dealer. It was a PAIN to put in there...and probably is not even the culprit....so I am really bummed.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Jet City, USA
'08 W204.081; M 272.948 KE30; Colour Code#792
Try using your other key.
I had this happen a couple of months back as I was driving home from the gym. Exactly how you described. Shortly after I got home, I used the other key and it started up OK. The next day I used the original key and things were also OK.
That was my first electrical gremlin in the car. And yes... this event happened shortly after I had installed the VIM. But I'm not sure if it was because of the VIM or just coincidence.
I haven't had that happen again since.
I had this happen a couple of months back as I was driving home from the gym. Exactly how you described. Shortly after I got home, I used the other key and it started up OK. The next day I used the original key and things were also OK.
That was my first electrical gremlin in the car. And yes... this event happened shortly after I had installed the VIM. But I'm not sure if it was because of the VIM or just coincidence.
I haven't had that happen again since.
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2008 C300
I got a call from Dan @ MidCity Engineering and he assured me that it most likely was NOT the VIM. He told me to check FUSE #11 and FUSE #26 and when I pulled them out..they were both fine. (Not blown) It was when I put back in #11..that the radio came back on. I am glad that the VIM is not to blame...and that the fuses weren't blown..but I was a tad bit concerned this morning when I fired up the car and COMAND didn't work. I was very afraid that I would have to take the radio out...and uninstall the VIM..then take it to the dealer...then re-install the VIM...etc, etc.!
So....if you find that your COMAND doesn't work one day...then you might want to try those fuses. Dan ALSO mentioned a TSB on the FACTORY ipod integration..and that folks had been having a problem with the pins on the ipod connector not staying seated into the back of the radio. That was not MY problem this time.....but others may want to be aware of a KNOWN problem with the ipod connector. He was going to fax it to me....but my fax machine wasn't working. Maybe Rob can post a PDF of it here for all to see?
Thanks for the tips guys...glad I dodged a bullet on this one!
*oh..does anyone know where the fuse pulling tool is? I had to use my fingernails..and it wasn't pleasant!
So....if you find that your COMAND doesn't work one day...then you might want to try those fuses. Dan ALSO mentioned a TSB on the FACTORY ipod integration..and that folks had been having a problem with the pins on the ipod connector not staying seated into the back of the radio. That was not MY problem this time.....but others may want to be aware of a KNOWN problem with the ipod connector. He was going to fax it to me....but my fax machine wasn't working. Maybe Rob can post a PDF of it here for all to see?
Thanks for the tips guys...glad I dodged a bullet on this one!
*oh..does anyone know where the fuse pulling tool is? I had to use my fingernails..and it wasn't pleasant!
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ML350, Lotus Elise
I got a call from Dan @ MidCity Engineering and he assured me that it most likely was NOT the VIM. He told me to check FUSE #11 and FUSE #26 and when I pulled them out..they were both fine. (Not blown) It was when I put back in #11..that the radio came back on. I am glad that the VIM is not to blame...and that the fuses weren't blown..but I was a tad bit concerned this morning when I fired up the car and COMAND didn't work. I was very afraid that I would have to take the radio out...and uninstall the VIM..then take it to the dealer...then re-install the VIM...etc, etc.!
So....if you find that your COMAND doesn't work one day...then you might want to try those fuses. Dan ALSO mentioned a TSB on the FACTORY ipod integration..and that folks had been having a problem with the pins on the ipod connector not staying seated into the back of the radio. That was not MY problem this time.....but others may want to be aware of a KNOWN problem with the ipod connector. He was going to fax it to me....but my fax machine wasn't working. Maybe Rob can post a PDF of it here for all to see?
Thanks for the tips guys...glad I dodged a bullet on this one!
*oh..does anyone know where the fuse pulling tool is? I had to use my fingernails..and it wasn't pleasant!
So....if you find that your COMAND doesn't work one day...then you might want to try those fuses. Dan ALSO mentioned a TSB on the FACTORY ipod integration..and that folks had been having a problem with the pins on the ipod connector not staying seated into the back of the radio. That was not MY problem this time.....but others may want to be aware of a KNOWN problem with the ipod connector. He was going to fax it to me....but my fax machine wasn't working. Maybe Rob can post a PDF of it here for all to see?
Thanks for the tips guys...glad I dodged a bullet on this one!
*oh..does anyone know where the fuse pulling tool is? I had to use my fingernails..and it wasn't pleasant!
just FYI there are two issues that we have been seeing with the W204 command:
1. If you have the factory ipod installed, it has its own T-harness... The pins on the connectors int he ipod harness come unlocked and when you click the connectors together the pin is actually just barely touching its related contact, or not touching at all. This will manifest itself as a couple different issues but most often it involves the command not powering on, the screen moving up and down for no reason, etc.
2. A more recently discovered issue has been an issue with the motorized LCD screen.. (which is what dan experienced). you shut the command off and the screen closes but internally the "closed" limit switch is not being set. eventually the motor circuit shuts down anyway but the command is stuck in the "closing" state and stops responding. The fix for this is to reset the command by pulling the two fuses (11 and 26) and re-insert them, resetting the command.
The number 2 issue has no TSB (yet) because its really a new issue that the dealers are just starting to realize it and for the most part its a very rare occurance even if it does happen.
oh and i noticed the lack of fuse holder too when we were finding the fuses in the first place... its those little things like trying to pry out a fuse with your keys that really make life fun...
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2008 C300
Haha.....fuse fingers!
Thanks Rob for the great info...MCE is AWESOME at putting the concerns of customers first..and the tech support you guys offer is second to none! You really stand by your products, and I am very glad that I made the right decision by choosing your products, your company, and your people.
Thanks for the information that MB has yet to come forth and share with us!
Thanks Rob for the great info...MCE is AWESOME at putting the concerns of customers first..and the tech support you guys offer is second to none! You really stand by your products, and I am very glad that I made the right decision by choosing your products, your company, and your people.
Thanks for the information that MB has yet to come forth and share with us!
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2008 C300
IT HAPPENED AGAIN! 
I got in the car to come to work today and it was DEAD again! I had to fumble with the fuse box (WHERE IS THE DAMN FUSE PULLER????) and when I pulled fuse #26 and reseated it...the COMAND system reset itself.
Once might be a fluke...but TWICE in the same week has me concerned. I am PM'ing Rob to see if he has more answers on that "switch" that might be staying open.
I got in the car to come to work today and it was DEAD again! I had to fumble with the fuse box (WHERE IS THE DAMN FUSE PULLER????) and when I pulled fuse #26 and reseated it...the COMAND system reset itself.
Once might be a fluke...but TWICE in the same week has me concerned. I am PM'ing Rob to see if he has more answers on that "switch" that might be staying open.
