Last night I was out with my wife and son for our weekly adventure to the mall, and on the way home I noticed some slight static coming from the speakers (we had in a classical CD in CD0), so I changed it over to CD2 on the changer... well.. it improved for a minute or so.. then the static came back and much worse. I then turned off the stereo. and turned it back on a minute or so later.. same result.

Changed then to the FM band.. and it sounded fine... then just turned it off. I then "opened" the motorized panel and checked the changer.. and then closed it.. turned the system back on.. and it was fine for another couple of minutes... then a repeat of above happened again. So I just turned it off. While driving in "silence" we noticed a high pitched whinning/spinning sound (almost like a scratching).. that came from the car. Powering on the audio system revealed a lovely "Error Connecting to Audio System" message on the screen.. then it popped off to the CD0 and was fine. However, the MAGAZINE option was gone and I couldn't change to the changer at all.

I opened the motorized panel and ALL THE LIGHTS on the changer were off (I had 6 dics in there)... so the changer wasn't even getting power it seemed. I checked the malfunction menu on the center display and it read "SOS Teleaid Malfuntion"

I'm going to bring it in tomorrow to have them check it out. They dealer thinks it's a software "glitch." We'll see. Meanwhile, the MALFUNCTION display is clear and reads "NO Malfunction" now. This is after turning off the car and restarting later on that evening.

I'll keep you guys posted.

Peter

 

This has been discussed before. I also have problems with my integrated phone locking up, or not working. Seems like the best fix known (like so many other things) is to shut the car off and remove the key for awhile. Very high tech repair. Reminds me of when I was a kid and the TV would go on the "fritz". best known cure? punch it, of course!

 

Here's the latest on my E500:

I brought the car in on Friday just before noon to be dropped off to have the CD changer issue fixed.. and have them investigate the Tele-Aid malf I received (once and then disappeared). They gave me a C240 Wagon loaner for the weekend.

I return today on my way to work (Tuesday) to pick up my car which was "ready" and finished moving my car seat and misc stuff back to my E500 and then discovered the Changer has NO POWER still. It isn't recognized at all by the Audio unit. (Back to square one... it is the PROBLEM I BROUGHT IN THE CAR FOR IN THE FIRST PLACE). I drove back around to the reception area.. got out and went back in to see the service advisor.

Immediately described the problem.. and he came out to check it out.. and CD0 was playing, so he turns to me like I'm an idiot.... and I tell him.. "NO, CHECK THE CHANGER" and he then opened the panel and sure enough NO POWER/LIGHTS on. He called the shop foreman/manager and reviewed the work order for my ticket.. to make sure he put CHANGER and NOT CD. The order did state CD CHANGER, AND NOT the CD0 (in-dash). The tech claimed they "tested and listened" to the changer and it worked.. but somehow when i got into the car the changer was not operable in the car.

They took the car back into the shop while I waited for a little bit and they decided the CD CHanger needed to be replaced... of course and it is NOT STOCKED.. and needs to be ordered. So that makes it another trip I need to make there... So he told me they would hunt down where they are stocked, order it, and get it in.. then I could wait while they did it. (Although, since the factory changer is installed in the dash.. and the dealer unit is installed in the glove box.. do you see trouble on the way? Why can't the dealer install the same unit as the factory in the same location?)

Meanwhile I go to work.. and arrive to work and then go to put my Valentine radar detector under the seat (the storage area) and the door falls off on one side. The hinge is broken all the way thru. I managed to get the door closed and "locked" so it remains off the floor... but it ALSO needs to be replaced. Incidently, the dealership had taken the car to a "specialist" to remove the interior trim to access the SRS Seat Sensor on the passenger seat for one of the problems they found. Maybe someone there isn't as special as they should be. Also the driver seat was "filthy" and will require some "cleaning."

Well, as of 7:03pm CST.. I haven't heard back from my Service Advisor on the status for the CD Changer.

OK, so basically.. no progress made on my problem, a filthy driver's seat, a broken storage door.. and I'm wondering if it's even worth going to have the changer replaced.. I mean what can they break next? Do you guys get screwed like this? I think a letter or phone call is in order. First a crappy delivery.. NOW this kind of treatment for service? Maybe there's a wood steering wheel in my future.. or maybe I should stay away from more electronics in this car...

Peter

 

I had the same thing happen to me.

Not much later my battery was dead.

When the ESR tech came out to replace the battery and reset the car, the CD changer was working again.

I had also removed the front fuse panel cover and pressed the fuses in so that they were seated better.

No need to have a dealer do anything at all.

I can only hope that something like this would work for you as well.

No power would imply a bad fuse or improperly connected fuse. When this happened to me I thought that the static noise was probably the result of power failing as though a fuse was dying. I did not replace any fuses just reseated them.

 

If I remember, it was the fuse panel on the front drivers side beside the dash? How did you get it open... I have tried and didn't succeed... was very "tight." Was afraid to break something.

I may try that later today.... Meanwhile, they got in a new changer for me.. and I"ll bring it in and wait while they change it out. I will go tomorrow AM.

Thanks
Peter

 

At first I couldn't get it to open.

Later I tried again, really pulling, and it did open.

May want to let the dealership break it for you, then they can replace it for free.

Might have them 'show' you how to open it.

 

I have my E320 in the shop as I'm typing this. This is the 2nd time it has been in the shop for "loss of power". The first time there was no static involved and the Audio Gateway was replaced, search my name for the thred for the information on that, this time loss of audio is preceeded by static that becomes louder and louder until the power is removed from the whole system. This is a heat related problem that has been discussed before. My dealor says that have seen about 6 custermers this week and last week with the same problems. There is no fix per my service advisor AND per the Maintence Tech that I deal with there. Below is a copy of one of the latest Star Bullitins regarding this. Due to formatting and scanning the first part is a bit jumbled up. It is dated May 27, 2003.
--
rT\ Mercedes-Benz (~
'<:::;:~' star bulletin
.~I.
Date: Ma
y27 2003
DTB '
Order No.: P-B-82.60/215c
Supersedes: P-B-82.60/215b dated March 10, 2003
Group: 54
Revision: Procedure Updated
SUBJECT: Model 211.065/070/076 Model Year 2003
Intermittent Loss of Sound
If you receive customer reports in the above vehicles of the audio system having the following conditions with Audio Gateway (AGW) OTC code 0004 stored (control module was switched off due to excessive temperature), the AGW software may need to be updated.
. Intermittent audio
. Audio head unit locks up
" Audio head unit displays "black screen"
Software Update Procedure
1. Verify current AGW Hardware/Software version
Select the correct model Select Control Units
Select Information and communication
Select Audio, video, navigation and telematics
Select AGW - Audio Gateway (MOST network management, diagnosis gateway, radio tuner)
Select Control unit version
rn Note: AGW part number (listed as "MB object number for hardware and software") and SV'J status.
Software updating is possible on all AGW part numbers except 211 820 61 89 (Basic) or 211 820 62 89 (Logic 7 -Sound). If the vehicle is equipped with either of these, then the AGW must be replaced prior to the continuation of the software update procedure.
SW prior to 14/03 on eligible AGW's requires a software update.
If the AGW already has a software status 14/03 and a OTC 0004 is stored, please contact the Technical Assistance Center via authorized dealer personnel.
This bulletin has been created and maintained in accordance with MBUSA-SLP 5.1, Document and Data Control, and MBUSA-SLP 16.1, Control of Quality Records.
~. @ 2003 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. AJI rights reserved. Reproduction or translation In whole Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc. or in part Is not permitted without authorization from the Dealer 'v\Ior1<shop Servl~$ publi$her. Printed in U.S.A. w.wI.MBUSA.com 1-800-FOR-MERCedes

 

Ok...I got my car today out of the shop for the Loss of Audio/static problem. I tried to scan/post the invoice of the work done but did not work to well so I will type the particualrs.

"Customer States Audio System Fails After a Couple Of Minutes Of Poor Operation"

Teleaide platform control unit
Perform Function and Electrical Tests. Test and update software. Found and Replaced Defective Teleaide Platform Control Unit. Clear All Faults.

Part Number 211-820-36-85 Discription= Operating Un


Hope this helps