E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

HK audio weirdness...

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Old May 1, 2003 | 01:32 PM
  #1  
lig's Avatar
lig
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
HK audio weirdness...

My HK audio system suffers from a strange "phase shifting" effect every once in a while. It seems like it goes from a full surround sound to a stereo effect. It only occurs on FM.

Yesterday - I hopped in for a quick trip and wanted to listen to the Mariner game. The audio display read something to the effect of "audio connection not established"

I turned it off and on a couple of times. No help. Tried the FM, WB and CD player. Same error message. Three hours later, it worked just fine.

Weird.
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Old May 1, 2003 | 03:19 PM
  #2  
EPower's Avatar
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From: San Diego
'05 E55
Same thing happened to me yesterday. I got the same error message on-screen. Could not get anything to work until I turned it off. Hasn't happened since, but it was strange
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Old May 1, 2003 | 03:23 PM
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From: HB California
2003 E500
My stereo does the same ****, I am going in on Monday to have it checked out for the third time. I am getting sick of this. Let me know what happens with your car...
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Old May 1, 2003 | 04:06 PM
  #4  
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
I've had my car since Dec. and have not had any problems until last week. I was switching frequently between the CD changer and radio (i was listening to the NFL draft), and then I had the"no audio connection" message appear. Turning the system on/off had no luck. I had to turn the car off, and back on. No problems since. Was the system "overloaded" by the quick shifts between CD and radio?
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Old May 1, 2003 | 05:06 PM
  #5  
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2003 E500
ill let u know what the service technician says after i have it checked out...It has happened to me several times.
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Old May 1, 2003 | 10:05 PM
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well known problem

This is a well known problem. Happened to me and the dealer replaced the Audio Gateway and something else. It was $1800 in parts (under warrenty).

Afterwards I had to re-register with teleaid and reprogram my stations. No big deal.
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Old May 1, 2003 | 10:54 PM
  #7  
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what is the "audio gateway"? $1800 sounds like a big number for parts for a stereo related problem!
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Old May 2, 2003 | 09:56 AM
  #8  
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What is it...

The whole car is one big computer. This links the audio system into the mothership (I think). The problem is this unit is overheating and causing your problems (I know). They have a new version that doesn't overheat.
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Old May 2, 2003 | 11:07 AM
  #9  
lig's Avatar
lig
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
I'm sad to see I'm not the only one with this problem? Is the overheating an ambient temperature thing? It was pretty mild ~ 60 or so and I hadn't driven the car for hours...

Another thing - the car is pretty new. I think the build date was sometime in February if that makes a difference.

Babakvvs - let us know what happens when you take the car in!
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Old May 2, 2003 | 12:23 PM
  #10  
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Lig, your definately not the only one with this problem. This is one of the most common problems for your car. See past posts. My car is also a recent build. Just tell them it's the Audio Gateway and I bet all your problems will be gone.
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Old May 2, 2003 | 12:52 PM
  #11  
lig's Avatar
lig
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
Thanks for the tip! I did a search with the error message and didn't see anything. I did read a bunch of prior posts that mentioned the sound fading in and out and other back-front issues though.

The service department guys told me "don't worry about it... if it happens again, bring it in"

We'll see how they respond to "Audio Gateway"
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Old May 4, 2003 | 02:10 PM
  #12  
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From: Houston, TX
02 996 C2 Cabrio
Have them check the "CP Module"...

Lig,

I believe it's the same part as the Audio Gateway. CP Module stands for "communication platform module".

I was having bad static on my HK system, mostly on CDs. They tracked it down to an internal short in the CP Module. It was replaced under warranty, and now everything is fine. I have also heard reports of these modules overheating, but mine apparently had a short in it.

During the periods of static I had the following message on my screen: "Unable to establish audio connection..."

Another note about the HK system. Do one function at a time. If you press too many buttons at once or try and do too many things at the same time, the system LOCKS UP!
Then, you have to turn if on and off to reset it. Hahaha... my dealer's advice was to take it easy on the stereo. :p
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Old May 4, 2003 | 05:13 PM
  #13  
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lig
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
hehe... thanks for the tip. Take it easy on the stereo? Does it run a Micro$oft OS? :LOL:
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Old May 5, 2003 | 12:25 AM
  #14  
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From: California
03 Lexus 470, 03 MB E320.
My proble with audio is that, once in a while, audio shut itself down. and change the band itself fro AM to FM etc..
Could this be the same as CP module problem?
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Old Jun 3, 2003 | 07:24 PM
  #15  
CaptMike's Avatar
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From: California
2003 E320
Static in Audio System HK

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
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