killatee18

Hi All, so my car recently hit 55,000 miles and for the last week or so I noticed by Comand System is pausing while I'm either listening to the radio, cd, on bluetooth phone call, or during a navigation route. It will pause (audio gets cut) for 5 seconds or so and then continue playing music, ect. This happens once or twice every 10 minutes or so. The screen still stays on when this happens, the pause is in the audio and when I have a navi route entered it will automatically recalculate after the pause. I have no idea what could be wrong. I'm out of warranty so I would prefer not to take it to the stealership. Any idea what would be wrong?? I tried removed and re-inserting the Navi CD from in the trunk. I also tried to reset the Navi via the Service button with no luck at all. Anything else I can do to possibly fix this?? Please help. thanks!!!

Cartronics

Are you also loosing your station presets? do you get any messages about Flash memory on the display?

killatee18

Hi, I lost my presets when I reset the Navi. I basically lost everything that was stored such as recent destinations, my home address, ect. There is no message on the dash or screen. The pause happens very sporadically and is completely unpredictable. Its very annoying especially during a good song or conversation via bluetooth Any idea what it can be??

killatee18

I also tried to disable the bluetooth completely and reconnecting with no luck

Cartronics

Your flash is failing in the COMAND. The COMAND will need to repaired or replaced.

superman7

I have the same exact issue on my 2004 E500, how can the comand be repaired, I think that replacing it would be very expensive?

Cartronics

There are some services that will repair them, however, this is a difficult repair. You may want to check online with some repair services...

Replacement units are about $1200

killatee18

Can you please explain exactly what a "flash" is? Is it a part that needs to be replaced?

superman7

I remember that someone stated that a software update on the head unit and the AGW may be able to fix that.

superman7

One more thing, if the pause is happening without loosing the presets or the navigation data, would that be a failing flash or it could be something else hopefully less expensive to fix?

Cartronics

If the pause is audio only, then it is possible the amp is failing (overheating). Flash is the memory in the Head Unit that stores the operating system and other information such as presets, recent nav, etc.

superman7

Cartronics, thank you, in that case how can you fix the amp?
can't be replaces? how much would it be?
is that the AGW or something else?

Cartronics

Yes, in this case, the Audio Gateway (AGW) and amp are the same thing. It can be replaced, generally not worth fixing. Refurb units typically are under $300

superman7

Cartronics, thank you again!! that is a lot better than $1200 ...

Do you have a part number for the AGW?
Where is it located in the car, is it next to the head unit or somewhere else?
Is that easy to replace "DIY" or a dealer job?

Cartronics

In the trunk, left hand side. Very easy DIY. There are actually several different AGW part numbers that span the W211. You would want to get the part number off your current unit.

superman7

Cartronics, great thanks, is that on the side by the navigation DVD device or somewhere in the bottom by the battery but on the other side?

Cartronics

Near the NAV drive

superman7

Great, thank you!!

I'll go look for that.

Shifter

Ok, first of all it could be muliple things... not just the comand, or the AGW. First step is to update software in both. This may not help, as any unit and the optical ring has the ability to take down the whole system. What you really need is first, check codes. This may lead you to the cause. This is the first step, before just throwing parts at it.

superman7

Iknownothing, thank you, do I need SDS to get the code and\or update the SW?
is there anyway that I can do any of that without it, like a hidden menu somewhere?

Cartronics

Yes you would need Star DAS to read the codes (if any), however with a fault like this typically there will be no faults (at least that is what we see in the shop most of the time) - but Iknownothing is correct, it would be good to at least look first.

Shifter

Yes ,add is required to check, and update. There should be some codes for sure. Weather or not they lead to a definate unit is the question.

superman7

Iknownothing and Cartronics, thank you