Here is something I have cobbled together for replacing the separate 2012 A207 convertible control box cover. Requires the complete box as the door usually snaps off and can't be repaired easily. Pics are from Pelicanparts.com ... Kudos and shout out to them....

Tools required a # 20 torx bit and trim removal tool kit. I also used a pick tool to help unplugging harness plugs. Trim tool kit was from Pelican Parts.

NOTE : disconnect battery before starting as you will be disconnecting harness plugs.

The steps were confirmed on a console I sourced from a recycled parts shop.

The whole console in the correct colour ( beige ) was from a 2013 E350 A207. It is identical to the 2012. Should be the same for a 2011-2014 E350 A207. Cost me $120 shipped. MB wanted ~$$$ for the part(s) plus install. Takes about 2 hours going slowly.

I will take more pics as I do this on my car and substitute them in as necessary.

Hope this helps,
Milburn

 

edited 12/01/2019. The only item different is the harness that goes to the front Comand control knob. On my car the factory had installed the harness for that knob weirdly.
The connector is up front next to the shifter lever area, easy to disconnect on the left side of the console itself. No issue undoing that using pick tool. However the factory had routed the 1/4 " flat 4 wire cable under the center console and then wrapped it around 2 different retaining tabs also under the center console. That was crap.!!!

So I could not unwrap the cable. It got damaged in trying as there was almost no room to manuever the center portion of the console and the cable is actually part of the knob assembly itself. No plug....

Since the recycled part came with the Comand knob and harness undamaged, I simply cut the old harness about 2 inches from the comand control. That allowed me to remove the whole center portion. I removed the front top cover of the center portion...you get to this from the bottom side. Gently pry up with a tiny screwdriver, around the top edge to get it separated a little. Then look on the bottom side of the center portion. You will see two small tabs, poking thru. Release those while prying gently up on the top portion. When that comes off, the comand knob assembly pivots up and can be pulled free.

I then was able to work the old harness free pushing down the connector off the holder at the front of the shifter area of the console and pulled the wire forward to the shifter area and remove it from the car.


For reassembly, install the new comand knob control into the center portion and snap the top section back onto center section routing the four wire flat harness to the bottom. Route the flat wire thru the square hole at the back of the shifter bay as there is plenty of room for the harness plug to fit thru there and nothing for it to catch on. Reconnect the convertible top controls. Push the center section of the console back into place then slide the comand connector back onto the prongs that hold it next to the front of the shifter bay. Hold this in place while re-connecting the harness. Re-attach the 2 front screws for the center section and the 2 screws at the rear of the center section.
Snap the flaps back into place, then screw the cup holder screw back into place. Re-install the surround and then plug the shifter harnesses in. Re-install the shifter knob and its surround snapping it into place.

Reconnect the battery and test everything.

Hope this helps. Pics were too dark to see anything very well. Sorry about that

 

Wow Thank you so much for the write up! My scroll stopped working and I've been dreading taking it apart. ill report back if this works on 2011 e550

 

OK just did it. exactly the same on a 2011 e550. The only part i couldn't figure out is the cable ( white with red stripe) is looped or stuck on something deep down in there. ( picture below)

(The yellow plastic at the top of photo is the shifter casing. this is a shot looking down into the console)

Was able to confirm the part number A212 870 28 51 so i have one on order now. if i cant figure out how to take that out ill just cut the line i guess.


Also below, for anyone doing this the first time note that the cable raps directly under the scroll wheel once you remove it. you need to pry the cable (in the pic below) to the right to release it from the hook it is resting one. mine had almost no slack so be careful not to yank on it too hard.


directly under the scroll wheel

 

Same. Have a hard time thinking how to remove this. In the end, I cut the wire and re-solder back. Successfully replace the rod inside the command control unit. Happy now.

 

Darn i just found the explanation on youtube... sorry i didnt see it sooner. Check out this vid at 5:20 . you need to pull back that carpeting on the side to get to that clip underneath..

 

Followed these instructions and job done. Just take your time and go slowly so you don't loose any parts or accidentally break any plastic. i opted to JB Weld (6 minute set) the shaft back together instead of swapping for the aluminum replacement. Worked like a charm. Good luck!

 

Anyone have a console ripped or damaged they might want to get ride of? I have a dog that goes with me everywhere and my c250 coupe she would like to stand her front paws on the center console, not sure the issue now but she falls and slips all the time in my e550 coupe. I was going to cover one in a rubber bed liner or similar coating or even mold in a flat paw rest. She refuses to be anywhere else but right next to me and the passenger seat is not close enough. I know that it is dangerous to not have her belted in but actually I have a sleep disorder and she is trained to keep me from ever falling asleep driving. Any thought ideal or suggestions would be appreciated. My arm rest had a small bubbled spot already but she has scratched in more and I am concerned she will hurt herself. She never had the issue in my c coupe or My Grand Cherokee.

 

I am just getting ready to tackle this job on my 2011 A207 E350. Great information and tutorials here. I appreciate those that have come before me, to make it easier for others to follow. Cheers!

 

Be sure to disconnect the battery. The ribbon cable could be caught and easily pulls out of the control box exposing wires that spark and blow a fuse. Ask me how I know.

 

Just wanted to follow up and say that the repair was successful, and everything works! Thank you for your help with documentation, and for answering questions that I had. So happy to have my 10-year-old navigation system back!

 

Hi
trying to complete this repair but getting stuck on removal of the rear center vent to be able to get to the back two (2) screws..any insight into how this vent comes off? thanks in advance.

 

Hello, this seemed like a better spot to place this than starting a new thread.
I'm trying to replace this panel to fix the broken cupholder. It's an easy exchange in every model except the convertible. The convertible controls cover the location of the screw.
Anyone know how to get this out?


Want to replace this panel

The convertible controls section doesnt lift up like every image I've seen (assumingly not convertibles).

 

See post #2 in this thread for the attached how to on the A207 2012 convertible console removal. Also post #3. Yes it needs to be removed to get that off. There are hidden screws under the rubber bottoms in the cup holders. Rear a/c panel removal is detailed in the attachment IIRC but it been 4 years so my memory is a bit fuzzy since i posted that

 

The instructions and images there are different than for my car. The armrest is one piece and folds up in the instructions. My convertible controls cover the screw (shown below) and that part doesn't just lift up....



They are separated on my car.

 

My A207 2012 cabriolet had the separate cover for the top control NOT the one piece shown in the pics. From what you are describing you have the separate 2 covers too as you have the same year A207. Please read more carefully. Yes the pics posted are different to the 2 piece 2012 cab, however that Pelican how to was the only thing I could find. i talked to them before undertaking the task as I had to replace the top control section that got knocked off..but everything I detail in the text of the attachment is accurate, including the flat 4 wire cable going to the Comand control. Sorry if that doesn't help you , however several people have used that and the writeup very successfully. Perhaps you need to take it someone that can do it or is familiar with the removal?
If you do decide to do the job yourself, go slowly and post up better pics. i did mine ending up at dusk so the camera pics were too dark to post . I don't have the car any more but from what I recall, the 2 biggest issues were that flat 4 wire cable to the Comand knob and the removal of the rear a/c vents. That vent is on there pretty solid, it requires some force to pul/push it up to remove. Be careful not to force too hard...it may come apart..:-)
Some folks were able to slide the 4 wire cable sideways using picks etc. Mine could not and I ended up cutting that out..Did not matter as I had sourced the entire console in the right colour with Comand and the correct 2 cover 2012 configuration from LKQ recyclers for $110 shipped to my door. I swapped out the comand section but placed the 4 wire cable under the console in case it needed to come off again, as I detailed in the text of the thread . that way I would have no issues just in case...lol

Good luck

 

Maybe you could find a length of seat belt webbing (extender?) with a female end to receive the male end of a dog-car harness. Then wrap around or otherwise attach the webbing to the back of the console.

Rubber shelf liner, tool box liner, etc. come to mind for the console top and that sweet dawg's paws.

 

Maybe you could find a length of seat belt webbing (extender?) with a female end to receive the male end of a dog-car harness. Then wrap around or otherwise attach the webbing to the back of the console.

Rubber shelf liner, tool box liner, etc. come to mind for the console top and that sweet dawg's paws.