Audio Gateway Update
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: San Clemente, CA
2003 E-500
Audio Gateway Update
I had my E-500 in for a wash this morning and spoke with my Service Advisor about the Audio Gateway problems. My audio system has cut out on three occassions, as many others on this board have experienced. Each time the cutout occured when temperatures were near or above 100 degrees F. When car was stopped and allowed to cool, the system would reset and work OK. On one occassion it reset with car running and came back on even with the temperature still high.
My Service Advisor said that they have been told to no longer replace the Audio Gateways, as has been done in the past, since some of the replacements have also been failing at high temperatures. They now are working on a cooling fan fix that can be installed by the dealers, and he believes it's similar to the type of fan you have on your PC chips for most high performance chips. He did not know when the fix but would be available.
It would be interesting to hear what others have heard about this wide spread problem.
My Service Advisor said that they have been told to no longer replace the Audio Gateways, as has been done in the past, since some of the replacements have also been failing at high temperatures. They now are working on a cooling fan fix that can be installed by the dealers, and he believes it's similar to the type of fan you have on your PC chips for most high performance chips. He did not know when the fix but would be available.
It would be interesting to hear what others have heard about this wide spread problem.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
2003 MB E500
Re: Audio Gateway Update
Originally posted by Double Eagle
I had my E-500 in for a wash this morning and spoke with my Service Advisor about the Audio Gateway problems. My audio system has cut out on three occassions, as many others on this board have experienced. Each time the cutout occured when temperatures were near or above 100 degrees F. When car was stopped and allowed to cool, the system would reset and work OK. On one occassion it reset with car running and came back on even with the temperature still high.
My Service Advisor said that they have been told to no longer replace the Audio Gateways, as has been done in the past, since some of the replacements have also been failing at high temperatures. They now are working on a cooling fan fix that can be installed by the dealers, and he believes it's similar to the type of fan you have on your PC chips for most high performance chips. He did not know when the fix but would be available.
It would be interesting to hear what others have heard about this wide spread problem.
I had my E-500 in for a wash this morning and spoke with my Service Advisor about the Audio Gateway problems. My audio system has cut out on three occassions, as many others on this board have experienced. Each time the cutout occured when temperatures were near or above 100 degrees F. When car was stopped and allowed to cool, the system would reset and work OK. On one occassion it reset with car running and came back on even with the temperature still high.
My Service Advisor said that they have been told to no longer replace the Audio Gateways, as has been done in the past, since some of the replacements have also been failing at high temperatures. They now are working on a cooling fan fix that can be installed by the dealers, and he believes it's similar to the type of fan you have on your PC chips for most high performance chips. He did not know when the fix but would be available.
It would be interesting to hear what others have heard about this wide spread problem.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 7
I hope they fix this for the 2004s. Between the manufacturer of the component, and Mercedes themselves, doesn't anyone test this stuff? You always see these "hot weather testing" spy photos of cars in death valley, don't they play the radio?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 304
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From: San Clemente, CA
2003 E-500
MB appears to now be lax in their durability testing of new models as many of our problems should have been detected by their environmental tests before we got the cars. Guess that's why their Quality rating is now so low.
Hopefully this fan will be one of the new "low noise" models and not be a nuisance. Most of the PC chip fans are pretty quiet and run all of the time; however, it's not a big deal to add a thermostatic switch to the system. I would doubt that the 2004's will get the mod until it's proven and available for the 2003's.
Hopefully this fan will be one of the new "low noise" models and not be a nuisance. Most of the PC chip fans are pretty quiet and run all of the time; however, it's not a big deal to add a thermostatic switch to the system. I would doubt that the 2004's will get the mod until it's proven and available for the 2003's.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 57
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From: California
E500
I am not quite sure if the high temperature is the main cause of this radio/CD problem. I had the same problem back in December when the temperature was around 55 Degree. Now, I don't have them anymore even though the temperature is around 100 degree.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 962
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From: Saudi Arabia
'18 AMG GTR '16 BMW M3 - '05 Porsche Carrera S
I confirm, My service advisor told me last week they'd install a cooling fan on the audio gateway and there is also a software update for the audio gateway.
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 197
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From: Denver, Capitan NM
08 E320 Bluetec
phone problem too E-55
I have had same problem but the with the V-60 phone insert the phone goes dead, when the temp reaches 100. The display says tele unavailable and there is static in the audio in all modes. The audio cuts in and out until the car cools down. Then everything works again. They have put in 3 gateways and replaced the handset to no avail. The dealership in PHX have come out and said they have exhausted all current fixs. With the phone not inserted the radio will hang on a little longer but will go out when the temp reaches 105
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 304
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From: San Clemente, CA
2003 E-500
It sounds like we are all getting the same story--nothing can be done about problem until the fan fix for the audio gateway is available. However, my dealer has no idea when that will be.
Since we haven't had any temperatures much above 90 here in Southern California the past month, mine hasn't failed recently.
However, I will be driving to Albuquerque next month and plan to try something if it fails again. Since the audio gateway is located in the trunk on the LHS near the trunk lid hinge, I plan to lower the seat on that side and turn the AC controls for the rear to MAX cool and see if that will cause it to stay on.
Anyone in the Phoenix or Tucson area that is having this problem and has the foldable rear seats, you might try it and see if it helps. Let us know your results
It's a real pain to be without the total audio system. That will probably take out the voice commands for the Nav system as well.
They better be working hard on this fix!!
Since we haven't had any temperatures much above 90 here in Southern California the past month, mine hasn't failed recently.
However, I will be driving to Albuquerque next month and plan to try something if it fails again. Since the audio gateway is located in the trunk on the LHS near the trunk lid hinge, I plan to lower the seat on that side and turn the AC controls for the rear to MAX cool and see if that will cause it to stay on.
Anyone in the Phoenix or Tucson area that is having this problem and has the foldable rear seats, you might try it and see if it helps. Let us know your results
It's a real pain to be without the total audio system. That will probably take out the voice commands for the Nav system as well.
They better be working hard on this fix!!
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