NJBenzC300

Hey everyone. I'm having an issue with my car recognizing my iPod but, not showing my tracks, playlists or artist. Wont even change songs. It has to be something with the car because I tried it with my iPhone and I had the same results. Can anybody help me with this issue?

ChrisBrown

It's the factory interface correct? Does your comand unit show "iPod" when you switch to it?

Acapulco Bill

Do you have the iPod Interface, the UMI or the MI Plus? If you are just using the regular audio jack then none of your mentioned features will be available.

NJBenzC300

I have the connection in the glove compartment that attaches to the iPod itself. Usually, it reads the song titles.

ChrisBrown

You might need to do a reboot on your Comand unit. Also, when is the last time you did a full hard reset on your iPod?

Acapulco Bill

Does the iPod show a MB logo when connected? The problem could be anything from a faulty harness, oxidized connector, or a piece of lint or junk jammed into the socked in the iPod. You should have the MB dealer make sure this works. Some interfaces are post-factory dealer installed.

Acapulco Bill

And Chris Brown is right. Perhaps disconnecting the iPod, do a hard reboot holding down the Menu and center button simultaneously, and reconnecting after the reboot finishes. I have to do this about once a month with an iPod Classic and iPod Interface when the iPod wont respond to the steering wheel inputs and the speedo display.

NJBenzC300

I tried the reboot to no avail. I tried using my iPhone instead and I had the same results. I believe I have to do some sort of reboot on the system itself.

global33

Hi, as of today I have the exact same problem! It will actually play from where it left off but I am unable to switch songs back/forward or access any playlists. Strange. I have the multimedia COMAND package with factory glovebox iPod connector. I tried 3 different generations of iPods including my iPhone. All the same.

NJBenzC300

It's so odd. It just happened out of nowhere

global33

Have you tried the resetting the COMAND system in the regular settings menu? I believe that will erase all address book entries so I have been reluctant to do that. But if it fixes the iPod issue I'll do it.

Acapulco Bill

@global33: seems the MB iPod Interface does something the iPod doesnt accept and loses the directory. Happens to me about once a month. Disconnect the Pod, do a hard iPod reboot (Menu-center button both down for 3 secs), wait until its done, and reconnect. Should be OK until the next time.

global33

Acapulco Bill: thanks, I reset the iPod, left it unattached and turned off the COMAND system and let it all sit overnight. Sure enough, it all works normally as of this morning! However, I am still a bit confused why it wouldn't read any of three different iPods or iPhones. Anyways, I hope it keeps working and there aren't any underlying hardware issues.

Acapulco Bill

Apparently, once the MB system causes an error, it will not accept a new directory until one or all have been reset.

The "engineers" (read incompetent idiots) really didn't understand how the iPod functions or its audio requirements - proof of this is the need for an iPod Amplifier to get the 10 DB gain (thats 100 x voltage!!!) needed to match the radio output. I have purchased a wonderful iPod stereo amp & speakers dock with a remote control (controls the iPod through the base connection like the Merc) for $37.00 dollars, so if the Koreans, Japanese and Chinese can get it right, WTF is wrong with the Germans?

NJBenzC300

Bill looks like everything is working like a charm now. What were you saying about the iPod amplifier because ive noticed that it is a little in the low side

Acapulco Bill

You can search for threads, but when convenient have the MB dealer look to see if this part was installed, which comes as part of the iPod Integration Kit. Make sure it is the GERMAN and NOT the Chinese version, which has 30% distortion and no gain. Part No. A204 870 3994, costs about $65 dollars, worth every cent!!!

NJBenzC300

Would there be anyway to know if I have it already? Probably not though cause when playing music through the iPod it's rather low versus the sat radio.

Acapulco Bill

You can check by pulling out the liner in the glove box, here is a link with instructions for doing the complete installation. The cable that plugs into your iPod, should be attached directly to the iPod Amplifier, before entering another interface or box.

http://www.mercupgrades.com/IPOD+Ret...rticle-35.html

Here is a block diagram: