SNAFU 2004 E55 Command Radio
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 213
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2016 E63 s63 (sold),1986 Buick Grand National (sold)2014 ML63
SNAFU 2004 E55 Command Radio
(repost)
Okay boys, anyone know a bit about these things? Mine started acting weird today for no reason. I apologize in advance if this post is long, but I want to cover the bases to get accurate answers. If you think you can help, please read on.
I have a 2004 E55 with the Command/Harman-Kardon sound system. Until today, it has been impressive for stock and also performed flawlessly.
Today I get in the car and it seems to be cutting in and out... I was driving to work and thought, "hmm radio station trouble?" as they were interviewing a newly signed athlete via telephone. I changed the station, same result. I also tried a CD in the 6 disc changer, same thing; almost as if the disc was skipping. Power cycled the head unit, same results.
During lunch break, I went outside and tried it while the car was parked, figuring the lack of vehicle motion would all but eliminate a bad cable/wiring/loose connection/vibration issue. Same results.
After work, I tried using the AUX input from the glove box to connect to my phone and use Pandora - always worked just fine before - now a high pitched squeal similar to microphone feedback.
Did some research and found out I need a service update disc (pursuant to DTB P-B-82.60/382c) part # W211 589 16 22 00....
Stopped at the dealer, who was quite cool about it, said that the part # referenced is discontinued, and even if it wasn't they can't sell me the disc. They offered to take it in via appointment and pay ~$100-200 to flash it with this update and also update the AGW (audio gateway software) which sounded nice, but if I can score a disc and do it myself and save a couple hundred bucks, why not??
OK, here's the questions:
1) should I just pay them and let them do this? My fear is that it doesn't solve the problem and we just start replacing components one after the other until it works again...(costly!)
2) since this part # is no longer available, it would seem not to be copyright infringement to have someone send me an .iso file of the disc. MBUSA would have no liquid damages for me fixing this myself. Since they don't offer it, it is archival and the only one that loses is the dealer for labor to use theirs.
3) does anyone have an original disc I can buy? Dealer net was $12....
Moving on, I have removed fuse #6 from the trunk panel as wells as the CD changer one from the dash to "reset" it - seems to have done zero, the head unit even went back to the station it was on before I pulled power.
I have checked the voltage of the Aux batter underhood, and it's 12.48 volts, seems healthy, and the dealer insists that if it was suspect a LOT of electronics would be acting silly.
What do you guys think? Fix it myself, or? I have built computers, drag cars, and engineered audio in a recording studio. Nothing about this should be beyond my scope of ability, short of having STAR diagnostics.
Thoughts??
Thanks in advance,
Chris
Okay boys, anyone know a bit about these things? Mine started acting weird today for no reason. I apologize in advance if this post is long, but I want to cover the bases to get accurate answers. If you think you can help, please read on.
I have a 2004 E55 with the Command/Harman-Kardon sound system. Until today, it has been impressive for stock and also performed flawlessly.
Today I get in the car and it seems to be cutting in and out... I was driving to work and thought, "hmm radio station trouble?" as they were interviewing a newly signed athlete via telephone. I changed the station, same result. I also tried a CD in the 6 disc changer, same thing; almost as if the disc was skipping. Power cycled the head unit, same results.
During lunch break, I went outside and tried it while the car was parked, figuring the lack of vehicle motion would all but eliminate a bad cable/wiring/loose connection/vibration issue. Same results.
After work, I tried using the AUX input from the glove box to connect to my phone and use Pandora - always worked just fine before - now a high pitched squeal similar to microphone feedback.
Did some research and found out I need a service update disc (pursuant to DTB P-B-82.60/382c) part # W211 589 16 22 00....
Stopped at the dealer, who was quite cool about it, said that the part # referenced is discontinued, and even if it wasn't they can't sell me the disc. They offered to take it in via appointment and pay ~$100-200 to flash it with this update and also update the AGW (audio gateway software) which sounded nice, but if I can score a disc and do it myself and save a couple hundred bucks, why not??
OK, here's the questions:
1) should I just pay them and let them do this? My fear is that it doesn't solve the problem and we just start replacing components one after the other until it works again...(costly!)
2) since this part # is no longer available, it would seem not to be copyright infringement to have someone send me an .iso file of the disc. MBUSA would have no liquid damages for me fixing this myself. Since they don't offer it, it is archival and the only one that loses is the dealer for labor to use theirs.
3) does anyone have an original disc I can buy? Dealer net was $12....
Moving on, I have removed fuse #6 from the trunk panel as wells as the CD changer one from the dash to "reset" it - seems to have done zero, the head unit even went back to the station it was on before I pulled power.
I have checked the voltage of the Aux batter underhood, and it's 12.48 volts, seems healthy, and the dealer insists that if it was suspect a LOT of electronics would be acting silly.
What do you guys think? Fix it myself, or? I have built computers, drag cars, and engineered audio in a recording studio. Nothing about this should be beyond my scope of ability, short of having STAR diagnostics.
Thoughts??
Thanks in advance,
Chris
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,633
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Best bet have dealer or independent check for fault code(s) with SDS this should identify if there is a faulty MOST component – most common component failure is audio gateway (AGW) or amplifier in trunk.
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Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
2016 E63 s63 (sold),1986 Buick Grand National (sold)2014 ML63
**** Update ****
Thanks again guys the the responses.
Tonight driving home, I noticed the "SOS" button in the overhead console lighting up, and then dimming... there seems to be a correlation to this weirdness and the radio cutting in and out... I opened the center console and also noticed the wrench and the "i" buttons for roadside assistance going red from the amber they usually are... and back. Again, a correlation to the radio having it's episodes...
I of course pressed all of these buttons in an effort to cancel whatever it was doing, to no avail. The car does NOT have a telephone installed factory, but upon pressing these buttons I noticed the head unit trying to "dial" .. - I hit "end" to make it stop - but it seems to still be randomly lighting these 3 buttons up I described earlier....
Does this lend any further direction to what's going on?
Lastly, it DOES have logic-7 with the rear deck speakers.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks again guys the the responses.
Tonight driving home, I noticed the "SOS" button in the overhead console lighting up, and then dimming... there seems to be a correlation to this weirdness and the radio cutting in and out... I opened the center console and also noticed the wrench and the "i" buttons for roadside assistance going red from the amber they usually are... and back. Again, a correlation to the radio having it's episodes...
I of course pressed all of these buttons in an effort to cancel whatever it was doing, to no avail. The car does NOT have a telephone installed factory, but upon pressing these buttons I noticed the head unit trying to "dial" .. - I hit "end" to make it stop - but it seems to still be randomly lighting these 3 buttons up I described earlier....
Does this lend any further direction to what's going on?
Lastly, it DOES have logic-7 with the rear deck speakers.
Thanks in advance!
