stevec32

I have a 2007 E550 that has been a very good car now with over 62,000 miles. However the sirius reception has gotten quite poor. It will lose the signal for about 5 seconds after going under any small overpass and many times it will lose it from a single tree or a high profile vehicle . Is there a known issue with either the antenna or reciever. I hate to take it to the dealer and be at there mercy.
thanks

stevec32

Barry45RPM

There is a 6 second buffer after losing the signal which must be built up. I would check the antenna connection as its been mentioned a few times on the forum over the last 6 years...

...although, since the channel realignment a couple of weeks back, I must say that I have noticed more freequent dropouts in areas that I never had any before. Where I live there are very few obstructions except for the very occaisional tall building. Before that, I had very few dropouts.

SethP

I'm having a weird situation with reception, too... But mine isn't signal loss....

Every once in a while it will sound like something is cracking, like my front windshield is cracking before me...

But it's not, it's coming through the speakers, and only while I listen to Sirius - anyone had this before?

stevec32

Barry

We have similar cars I was wondering how many miles you have on your car and any problem areas. I have only done the brakes and replaced the cam position sensor. Otherwise perfect after 62,000 miles. Also do you know where I can find the antenna connection for the sirius equipment.

Thanks you have always been a great resource

Steve

achtung6

I just started having this very same problem. It does not happen all the time. I can listen to Sirius for a good while with no problems and all of the sudden, the cracking sound (to me, it sounds like someone making that most annoying noise with their fingernails). It's most noticeable while listening to talk radio. CH. 117 seems worst but it can occur when listening to music as well.

It seems to me like it began with the channel realignment from a couple of weeks ago but since my car went in for service @ around the same time, I'm unsure as to what to blame for the malfunction.

Barry45RPM

I'll check my mileage tomorrow, but it should be about 40K.

Serviced items are: Cam position sensor this year, Rear Brakes this year, Sirius Radio receiver replacement (1- 4 yrs ago, 1 last year April when Sirius sent some kind of mass update & Bricked my receiver) engine & Trans mounts this year.

Nothing else. The CPS & engine/trans mounts really shouldn't have been necessary repairs at this age, but they were under warranty, so it was no skin off my nose. MB designed it, MB paid for it.

This has been the best car I have ever owned... & I've bought many, many new cars from GM, Ford & even Suzuki.

Mad Dawg 350

This is happening to me as well. Sounds like an electrical arc/spark type of discharge. This started about the same time as the channel change from a couple of weeks ago.

WEBSRFR

Happens to me also. It seems just a large tree or even a cloudy day can make the reception really poor. Is there a defect that I can fix or is this "normal?"

dmcampbell

I have had the same problem with my 2008 MB E class. Started with the "snap, crackle, pop" and ended with either "searching for signal" or "Not Subscribed" message, even though I am 5 months into a 2 year prepaid subscription. I have spent no less than 4 hours as of last week on the phone w/ Sirius rep, was escalated twice and my radio still does not receive. I even went to the dealer who informed me that there is no problem with my radio and Sirius is aware that problem is on their end. When I called Sirius back, I was informed this is a problem with Mercedes, BMW and Range/Land Rover autos only, and that they know it was caused by the May 5, 2011 channel reprograming. In any event, I am a class action lawyer in Florida and I am currently lead counsel in litigation against Sirius on another matter involving an improper charge unknowingly paid to Sirius by millions of its subscribers. I am available to speak in more detail about the Sirius reception matter. Thanks, Mike Campbell; dmcampbell@campbelllaw.com; (888)775-3820.

SethP

Thanks for the info, Mike! Let's hope that Sirius resolves whatever problem they created with their update, soon!

dmcampbell

21 days and counting for me!

shamwey

I had the same problem, every overpass I went under it would cut out for 5 seconds. I fought tooth and nail with 2 dealerships in MA and finally they took my car home that night and hooked up the computer and found the problem. They needed to replace the Satellite Radio Control Unit. I have an 07 E550 and it was under warranty. I havent had any signal problems since. It was done on Jan 5, 2011. If anyone has any questions please let me know.

~Jeff~

So our 2008 E350 SIRIUS just quit working error message saying "not subscribed" like the day we first brought it home. At first it said "searching for signal", then "updating song list", now just back to "not subscribed". Our subscription is good for another year and a half, customer service said it's not their problem and we need to see our Mercedes dealer.

I don't buy that the receiver just crapped out mid song? Should I continue trying with Sirius customer service? Is there something specific I should mention?

Barry45RPM

This happened to my 07 E550 April 2010. I gave the car to the valet to park & an hour later when they gave it back it said "Not Subscribed". Repeated attempts to restart sent by Sirius failed. Dealer had my car 3 days & returned it working. The RO said the unit needed a software upgrade. No problems since.

~Jeff~

Thanks for the lightning fast response Barry! I guess I will call our mechanic at the dealership and get his advise. I will report back next week when I get it figured out!

dmcampbell

The software update did NOT fix my problem. Jeff, if it does not work for you pls call me at my office next week at 888-775-3820. Thanks, Mike

Barry45RPM

My SA told me (last year) that if the SW update wouldn't have worked, they would have had to replace the SDARS receiver in the trunk with a 3rd Generation unit. I have Gen 2.

I believe with the 3rd Gen unit Sirius can give you at extra cost some pre pachaged XM Channels.