Well, I'm the original owner of my 2010 c63, and I was logging mile 108,065 with her and I must have done something make her upset because my Comand system started acting up. Here's how it all went down:

While driving down the highway, my radio/comand turned off unexpectedly and the navigation screen closed...it might have been because I was listening to hip hop. After pressing the ON button a few times the radio came back on, but things have changed. I first noticed that my navigation screen was not adjusting to 'dusk' automatically as it was before. Then I noticed the time and phone signal displays were not.....well being displayed(nor can I even adjust them anymore as the option has disappeared). I also notice that some of the THS/Dolby etc. Icons were not being displayed while navigating the different menus on the screen. Lastly, the volume and phone buttons do not work on the steering wheel....oh and also the radio buttons do not illuminate at night nor can I adjust illumination intensity.

Other than that, it's a new car...seriously, she's been great to me....without any real major problems, I thought we were in it for the long haul.

I have tried resetting comand 6 times. I have pulled fuses, I have disconnected the battery, I pulled the radio out and checked the small fuse on the back of the radio itself. Nothing helps.

I went into the engineer mode and found these error codes:
DTCc255 Lost com. with DISP_C
DTCc257Lost Com. with DISP_CTL
DTCd185 Lost Com with Turn/push (I believe this defines why comand wont turn on/off with key cycle.
DTCc020 B-CAN driver error


Quick summary- of Comand issues:
-No display of time- also cannot adjust time the option has disappeared
-No communication with volume/phone buttons on steering wheel
-No illumination on the phone number buttons or radio buttons

Did you know that the comand system was able to log the miles my car had when the codes tripped?...Makes me feel like Mercedes programs these glitches to create an impulse to buy a new vehicle.

 

Hmm, hip hop covers a wide range of music so perhaps you didn't offend it too much.

Sounds like you did everything I would have tried.

I would guess you may need a new command unit. But they are damn expensive .

 

Oh boy, I hope that isn't the case...I was hoping worst case scenario maybe the dealer could do a software update....but the fact that the radio buttons do not illuminate...yet are still functional leads me to believe that your proposal may be the solution. I am hoping someone has some magical fix. Thank you for your insight.

 

It was just a guess but hopefully it won't be too bad. Perhaps even someone good with electronics might be able to repair it?

 

Maybe, who knows...Something is up though, because the radio has lost communication with my vehicle. i.e. While driving I will get a message "start engine or command will turn off in 3 minutes", Also command will not turn off when key is removed, it no longer senses if it is day or night, and I cannot get telephone, audio, or nav on the instrument cluster screen.

 

That message is programmed to come on when the power source (battery/alternator in this case) has dropped down to 12 volts. It is odd that it comes on while the engine is running but that could also indicate an alternator problem or possibly a battery that is not charging properly. And its a known fact that when battery power is low, these cars exhibit some strange unexplained behavior at times. That would be one thing I would look into... Keep in mind that when attempting to verify the state of the electrical supply on the vehicle, the integrity of the "battery current sensor" must also be verified. So going to Autozone et al to have them check your alternator or whether you have a god battery or not, they might not provide you with a definitive answer.

If not that, my next question would be: "when was the last time you had a firmware update on your COMAND system?"

Because erratic behavior can at times, be resolved by way of a firmware update. That would require a visit to the dealer too, unfortunately.

Good luck!

 

I believe somewhere in the engineering menu it does show voltage. That might be interesting to check.

 

Thank you for your response, I do have a voltmeter on my escort radar detector, during my 45 min commute, I did see a reading of 12.4-13.1v. COMAND has never been updated, so I will see the dealer this Saturday and see if that helps.

UPDATE: I have learned that in the engineering mode, I can manually turn on the illumination of the buttons on the radio....I'm really hoping a software update helps, I will let you all know...thank you for the help!

 

Thanks for your insight, I did check HDD, SCREEN, RADIO, AMP voltage all read 'normal' I am thinking this may be a software/driver issue, I am at the mercy of a dealer for this so we will see.

Update: I was able to manually illuminate the buttons on the radio, through engineering mode.

I appreciate your feedback, I'll keep everyone posted as I progress.

 

Well here's where I am at so far. I put a new battery in the car, that did not correct the problem. I brought it to the dealer. The dealer told me that they were unable to communicate with COMAND. Since the car is out of warranty, I was offered that they could attempt to diagnose the issue with a 85% success rate (what an arbitrary number in terms of deciphering a successful diagnoses) which would cost me around $400-500.

I am in NJ so I may just look into junkyards for a Harmon/Kardon COMAND radio.

Any other ideas or suggestions? Maybe break into my own vehicle and steal my own radio then have insurance cover it? Is that tooo Jersey?

 

Sorry to hear this. I think I would investigate a "used" radio rather than allowing the dealer to diagnosis it for $500 (with no guarantee of a fix)

 

Hi,
can you please share a tutorial or a method you was able to illuminate the buttons via engineering mode? Will be grateful )
P.s. having the same issue with my car - C220 2008

If you will have an update on your problem please share with us )

 

I own a c300 w204 from 2009, and experienced the same problem. Solution for me was the iPod interface replacement. It is located behind the glovebox. It should be stuck to the right side.

After changing it the buttons on the head unit lit up by themselves, the time came back and the phone and volume controls of the steering wheel.

I hope this solves your problem as well!


As for @Jim Gordon ‘s request you could navigate to the option 7 in the “hidden menu” There should be the EMC, and the last option is to illuminate the buttons with %. Please note that after reset of the unit you would have to so it again.