COMAND knob turning doesn't work
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 360
Likes: 3
From: Pittsburgh, PA
2020 C363 S / 2007 SLK55 / 2016 F150 4x4 / 1998 Cobra Convertible
COMAND knob turning doesn't work
I tried a search here and don't see anything about this. If so, please point me to any existing thread. Searching the internet shows a bunch of people with the problem of a small plastic shaft breaking inside the knob that prevents the turning of the knob from doing anything. Being that mine was working, but not always responding to turns (sometimes a single click/turn wouldn't work...but then another click would jump 2 menu items ahead) I don't think mine is a broken shaft issue. It seems that over time the clicking wasn't being responded to until it finally quit altogether. This makes me think it might be a contact problem? Thoughts? If so, is there something inside the knob where I can clean the contacts? Also, any good links on how to remove whatever I need to remove to get the knob control out? I see many videos on disassembling the knob itself, but nothing on removing the component from the center console (for a C class.) Thanks!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 885
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From: PA
2019 E63s AMG
I tried a search here and don't see anything about this. If so, please point me to any existing thread. Searching the internet shows a bunch of people with the problem of a small plastic shaft breaking inside the knob that prevents the turning of the knob from doing anything. Being that mine was working, but not always responding to turns (sometimes a single click/turn wouldn't work...but then another click would jump 2 menu items ahead) I don't think mine is a broken shaft issue. It seems that over time the clicking wasn't being responded to until it finally quit altogether. This makes me think it might be a contact problem? Thoughts? If so, is there something inside the knob where I can clean the contacts? Also, any good links on how to remove whatever I need to remove to get the knob control out? I see many videos on disassembling the knob itself, but nothing on removing the component from the center console (for a C class.) Thanks!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 360
Likes: 3
From: Pittsburgh, PA
2020 C363 S / 2007 SLK55 / 2016 F150 4x4 / 1998 Cobra Convertible
Are you saying the shaft broke? If so, why would it have been working for several weeks but not always responding to the turn each time... I would've thought that a broken shaft wouldn't slowly quit working but would abruptly quit? In either case, I need to get the control knob out, so any pointers on how to remove what I need to remove to get to it? Also, did you fix it yourself or take it to the dealer? I'm reading that this could cost ~$1000 if the dealer fixes it.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 885
Likes: 57
From: PA
2019 E63s AMG
Are you saying the shaft broke? If so, why would it have been working for several weeks but not always responding to the turn each time... I would've thought that a broken shaft wouldn't slowly quit working but would abruptly quit? In either case, I need to get the control knob out, so any pointers on how to remove what I need to remove to get to it? Also, did you fix it yourself or take it to the dealer? I'm reading that this could cost ~$1000 if the dealer fixes it.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 360
Likes: 3
From: Pittsburgh, PA
2020 C363 S / 2007 SLK55 / 2016 F150 4x4 / 1998 Cobra Convertible
Thanks. Any info/ideas on how to get to the part. I'm hoping someone has done this and made a video. :-)
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C300 sport 2008
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Joined: May 2017
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From: SoCal
2020 Mercedes E450 Wagon
This vid should be helpful:
My COMAND knob broke a while ago, but I haven't found it worth fixing. It still functions when bumping the knob instead of rotating it. I can't believe it broke since it was barely used. It was quite dumb of Mercedes to make this part break so easily.
My COMAND knob broke a while ago, but I haven't found it worth fixing. It still functions when bumping the knob instead of rotating it. I can't believe it broke since it was barely used. It was quite dumb of Mercedes to make this part break so easily.
Last edited by dchar; Oct 23, 2017 at 10:17 PM.
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
Just buy a $6 gorilla glue. Glue it together then let it dry. After that get a piece of toothpick cut it to size and gorilla glue it on the 4 sides of the shaft indentation and make sure to soak the toothpick with gorilla glue. let it dry for 24 hours and you just fixed your broken shaft for less than $10. The pita is getting the cable unhooked below the center console. You need to push towards the passenger seat to unhook it. I have done 8 of these already and after you do 1 it is just like a piece of cake. Watch the youtube videos and it is the best instruction on how to do it. You can also buy the machined alum. shaft but i think it is over kill and what else will you lose if you gorilla glue it. I fixed one for a guy and he said he will pay me $200 to fix it and I told him just buy me lunch and he did buy me lunch THEN paid me $200 which is still FAR cheaper than the $850 the dealer was asking him for. That was 6 months ago and all the fix I did was the same and nobody has called me back to repair it again.
Last edited by shotgun_banjo; Oct 23, 2017 at 11:03 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
This vid should be helpful:
https://youtu.be/gU5NB7jpqOM
My COMAND knob broke a while ago, but I haven't found it worth fixing. It still functions when bumping the knob instead of rotating it. I can't believe it broke since it was barely used. It was quite dumb of Mercedes to make this part break so easily.
https://youtu.be/gU5NB7jpqOM
My COMAND knob broke a while ago, but I haven't found it worth fixing. It still functions when bumping the knob instead of rotating it. I can't believe it broke since it was barely used. It was quite dumb of Mercedes to make this part break so easily.
Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 175
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From: SoCal
2020 Mercedes E450 Wagon
Yeah...I don't have nav so the knob is pretty useless whether it's functioning or not. Haha
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 360
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
2020 C363 S / 2007 SLK55 / 2016 F150 4x4 / 1998 Cobra Convertible
I bought the shaft yesterday for $29 (aluminum one.) Still need to figure out how to remove the console. The video posted above is the type of console I keep finding. That's not what the 2012 C350's looks like. Guess I'll just figure it out myself and make a video for the next person. Hopefully I don't break any plastic... If all goes well, $29 and some of my time will be worth it over $1000. :-)
Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 175
Likes: 24
From: SoCal
2020 Mercedes E450 Wagon
I bought the shaft yesterday for $29 (aluminum one.) Still need to figure out how to remove the console. The video posted above is the type of console I keep finding. That's not what the 2012 C350's looks like. Guess I'll just figure it out myself and make a video for the next person. Hopefully I don't break any plastic... If all goes well, $29 and some of my time will be worth it over $1000. :-)
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 360
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
2020 C363 S / 2007 SLK55 / 2016 F150 4x4 / 1998 Cobra Convertible
Fast forward a bit and you'll see how he removed the center console for the other more common style.
https://youtu.be/dTd5hFlrvg0
https://youtu.be/dTd5hFlrvg0
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2016
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Likes: 0
2012 w204 c180 amg package
Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 197
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From: Connecticut
C300 4matic
Here is the link and the part you will need with how to replace it, hope it helps.
https://www.ieworksusa.com/collectio...aluminum-shaft
https://www.ieworksusa.com/collectio...aluminum-shaft
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 360
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
2020 C363 S / 2007 SLK55 / 2016 F150 4x4 / 1998 Cobra Convertible
No, never got around to it. Last week I just happened to come across the part that I bought for fixing it. Car is in the shop right now (wouldn't start because the Key recognition unit quit working.) . When it comes back from the shop in a day or two, I'm going to replace the knob so will report back.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
2012 E350 Cabriolet
My 2012 E350 Cabrolet has a broken Comand Control Switch.
Does anyone have a video or written instructions for removal of the Command Switch? There are several videos on line but they do not cover my year and model. I am clear on the repair of the switch from multiple posts once I remove it from the console.
Does anyone have a video or written instructions for removal of the Command Switch? There are several videos on line but they do not cover my year and model. I am clear on the repair of the switch from multiple posts once I remove it from the console.
Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 111
Likes: 18
From: Toronto
GLK350
My knob is clicking on rotation but the rotation does nothing. Trying to understand if the shaft is broken or not when the clicks are heard.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2014 mercedes benz c250
mine stopped working. it doesnt even show on the display. i removed the command and realised the shaft was intact. i have even replaced the knob but still not working. any other DIY apart from replacing the knob?
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
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c250 W204
I tried a search here and don't see anything about this. If so, please point me to any existing thread. Searching the internet shows a bunch of people with the problem of a small plastic shaft breaking inside the knob that prevents the turning of the knob from doing anything. Being that mine was working, but not always responding to turns (sometimes a single click/turn wouldn't work...but then another click would jump 2 menu items ahead) I don't think mine is a broken shaft issue. It seems that over time the clicking wasn't being responded to until it finally quit altogether. This makes me think it might be a contact problem? Thoughts? If so, is there something inside the knob where I can clean the contacts? Also, any good links on how to remove whatever I need to remove to get the knob control out? I see many videos on disassembling the knob itself, but nothing on removing the component from the center console (for a C class.) Thanks!
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 4
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2014 mercedes benz c250
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
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From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
Then you want to scan the car to see if COMAND reports any fault bugging it.
COMAND may simply have a poor GND connection
or the unit may require internal repair.
