Help please Command Console toast?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 8
From: SF Bay Area, CA
'19 e63s, '98 Z3, '09 CLK550
Help please Command Console toast?
Hoping to get some help with my wife's CLK550. The car has 39k miles on it and last week the audio and bluetooth went out; and, the center console is not coming on. Instruments work fine, heated seats and climate control work fine, just the center console is toast. Took it to the dealer and they wanted $3000 to replace the Command unit. This car has been well taken care of and only has 39k miles - doesn't this sound wrong/odd to you too
The only different thing we did is that i burned a CD for her to listen to on her drives to work and she never listens to CDs, heck we never use the CD player... after about 4 days of listening to the CD (in the single use CD player behind the console); the whole audio (nav, etc...) went kaput.
I read in the forums that the batteries when low/dying can shut down certain electrical items but i tested the battery today and it was at 12.9 volts.
I searched forums and i'm familiar with CLK 'gremlins' because we had a 2002 that started having "gremlins" at 60k mi and we spent thousands before giving up on her. Any thoughts from y'all? Thank you so much for your help!
BTW: she's so pissed i'm tired of hearing it and she wants to get a Cayenne
The only different thing we did is that i burned a CD for her to listen to on her drives to work and she never listens to CDs, heck we never use the CD player... after about 4 days of listening to the CD (in the single use CD player behind the console); the whole audio (nav, etc...) went kaput.
I read in the forums that the batteries when low/dying can shut down certain electrical items but i tested the battery today and it was at 12.9 volts.
I searched forums and i'm familiar with CLK 'gremlins' because we had a 2002 that started having "gremlins" at 60k mi and we spent thousands before giving up on her. Any thoughts from y'all? Thank you so much for your help!
BTW: she's so pissed i'm tired of hearing it and she wants to get a Cayenne
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2010
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2008 CLK550 Cab
Well, if it's really toast you can get a new unit for a whole lot less than $3,000 on ebay. But can't any electronics repair place repair these things? Sounds like the power supply is bad if it does not even power up.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 75
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
'19 e63s, '98 Z3, '09 CLK550
I suppose i could but i don't plan on doing this myself unless it's simply unbolt, plug/n/play then rebolt. I'm going to check out a local indy next week and get their read on it. Still pretty 
that this has occurred with less than 40k on the clicker which leaves me thinking "what's next" and "MB never fixed the CLK gremlins", bummer still not under warranty.
that this has occurred with less than 40k on the clicker which leaves me thinking "what's next" and "MB never fixed the CLK gremlins", bummer still not under warranty.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 75
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
'19 e63s, '98 Z3, '09 CLK550
I checked fuses for both command (64) and all the ones listed for telephone. They all check out fine. Is there an easy way to check the one on the back of the Command unit?
The #@$#@ dealer told me they were not sure if there was a fuse on the back but for $500 they could check. I was a bit pissed asking them why MB doesn't know their own cars and it seemed like if anyone should know it would be MB, what a joke.
The #@$#@ dealer told me they were not sure if there was a fuse on the back but for $500 they could check. I was a bit pissed asking them why MB doesn't know their own cars and it seemed like if anyone should know it would be MB, what a joke.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Lebanon
2007 BMW 550i
Its really not that hard, maybe 15-20 minutes of work if you know what your doing. Max 30minutes if you dont. I think last time i took it apart i used a video on yoututbe. basicclt you have to detach the bottom console clips (piece of wood under the gear knob) then you remove the ashtray (held on with clips) then you remove the AC control panel which is also just clips (comes out in one piece with the wood) then you remove the top control panel which is also just clips then your free to the remove the 4 screws holding your comand system down. Also it might and might not be plug and play because the comand units need to be programmed to the options your car has, which is simple if you have STAR.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2010
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2008 CLK550 Cab
I checked fuses for both command (64) and all the ones listed for telephone. They all check out fine. Is there an easy way to check the one on the back of the Command unit?
The #@$#@ dealer told me they were not sure if there was a fuse on the back but for $500 they could check. I was a bit pissed asking them why MB doesn't know their own cars and it seemed like if anyone should know it would be MB, what a joke.
The #@$#@ dealer told me they were not sure if there was a fuse on the back but for $500 they could check. I was a bit pissed asking them why MB doesn't know their own cars and it seemed like if anyone should know it would be MB, what a joke.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 75
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
'19 e63s, '98 Z3, '09 CLK550
Thanks! I found some videos and it looks pretty easy. I also saw on one video a blue fuse at the back of the unit which the dealer was not sure about. Clearly i'm going to save myself $500 to check this myself and will give it a shot later today. This morning I also went and "reset" (remove and replace) every fuse related to command, radio, telephone, nav, sat, etc... still didn't do a thing so i'm getting out my screwdrivers and will tackle the remove and reset the fuse in the back to see if that helps. I'll report back.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 75
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
'19 e63s, '98 Z3, '09 CLK550
SUCCESS!!! 15min to pull the console, then I found the little blue fuse in the back - pulled it out then put it back in and before putting it all back together the sweet sounds of music filled the car. Many thanks to DanielFD!!! Another 10min to bolt & snap everything back together and we're good.
I am concerned about trying to play a burned CD in the CD player though. Not fully sure if that was the culprit or the CLK gremlins that lurk beneath the dash... only time will tell. Also glad I didn't spend $500 to have the dealer do it and who knows if they would have actually fixed it for $500 or told me that the unit was toast and it was going to cost me $3000. All's well that ends well and I'm thankful for these forums.
I am concerned about trying to play a burned CD in the CD player though. Not fully sure if that was the culprit or the CLK gremlins that lurk beneath the dash... only time will tell. Also glad I didn't spend $500 to have the dealer do it and who knows if they would have actually fixed it for $500 or told me that the unit was toast and it was going to cost me $3000. All's well that ends well and I'm thankful for these forums.
glad to see its solved, but you should be thanking Rodney! I would have never remembered the fuse in the back of the comand!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 8
From: SF Bay Area, CA
'19 e63s, '98 Z3, '09 CLK550
Woah, my bad... Thanks to Rudeney as well. That sneaky little fuse was behind the wires. If i didn't know to look i probably would have given up. Thanks all!!!!
