I am new here folks and I hope somebody can help me regarding my problem. I have 05 E320 sedan and couple days ago my command unit went dead, with absolutley black screen. When I checked NAV unit in trunk was also dead without power. I was sure some fuse was bad and I checked all, but all was in working order. Yesterday durning my driving I press power button on my radio and I was surprised Mercedes Benz logo shows for about 5 seconds and whole unit went dead again. I can't open CD chenger, radio is dead, AUDIO and NAV on cluster shows only two lines, but after all NAV unit in trunk has power. I must say, couple months ago when I was trying to input new address in my NAV system, only arrow shows in the middle of the ocean. I red every single forum regarding my problem and I can't find any decent answer, and I really understand this can be whole circle of problems. After all I am asking is there anybody on this forum who has same or similar problem. Thank you and happy holiday's.

 

Seems like your MOST ring is open.

Indicator for this: Your COMAND turns on and seconds later shuts off again.

With MOST ring open the wake up signal can't travel through the ring (fiber optic ring).

I would go to a dealership to check for open MOST ring via Star Diagnosis!

 

Thank you very much my friend. Since you are the only one who respond to my request I guess the only option is to see MB specialist.

 

If you are in SoCal, I can help you, too.

 

I am at Jacksonville, Florida.....way too far from Cal

 

OK

 

Let us know the results.

 

Oh, yes I will post everything. I know for sure my dealership charge $125 per hour for diagnostic, they told me they can find error for that time. Also, they will take Mercedes service disount coupon for that service. Since it's Christmas time I will do that after holiday's. Lot of people has same issue with this specific model. And one more information extended warranty does't cover command units problems at all.

 

You chose a bad extended warranty company then. Good ones cover all aspects of electrical and electronics problems.

Per se you can't say this specific model has the same issues. You may not forget that W211 was developed in the late 90s, debut in 2000. So, the technology was up to date back then, but if you buy a car in 2012 from 2000 you have to live with that stuff. Electronics components are not built to last forever. It's a natural process that certain things go bad. Capacitors lose their capability to hold charges, ICs and transistors fade (PN junction). Temperature changes don't make things better.

This has nothing to do with MB quality. It will happen with every piece of electronic on god's green planet earth.

 

I am drivung MB since 1987, from w123 up to this model, I am complaining about quality at all. I was axi driver in Europe for about 15 years. MB is great car, no daubt.D you know any company I can use for extended warranty, that will be gret. Ido not worry about mechaical problems, electronics are difficult. My mechaic is from Europe and he seviced MB for long time, but he s not expert for electronics. Thank you so much

 

I was happy with mine. Replaced speakers, thrust arm bushing, woofer, and the infamous door lock issue (machine gun door pin). Couldn't complain at all.

I'll look up the company later when I get home.

 

thanks a lot

 

Around the same time period I began having the EXACT same issues with my 2006 E350 4Matic Sedan.


I had Mercedes Benz of Cinci run an SDS diag. on it and it says there's a bad ground in the wake up line.

My head unit has come back on a few times, with full functionality over the last month. does anyone know if there's a detailed diagram for the MOST ring I've got the COMAND & CDC out, as well as the NAVI drive and trunk panneling. I just can't find a bad ground ANYWHERE.


I have an appointment to return to the dealer for wednesday 1/23/13 but naturally I'd like to keep my costs as low as possible.

Thanks for any help in advance!

 

MOST ring is fiber optics (light), therefore there is no ground and positive. Wake up line is separate for every device that needs to receive a wakeup signal. The color is pink and it is a single wire!!!

Good luck of finding what you are looking for!!!

 

So, what you're saying is this is about to become a giant PITA?!

 

If you want to call it that way yes. Have you ever seen how many miles of wires our cars have? Just alone the 2 cable channels from trunk to the front have cables as thick as upper arms. I took many cars apart in the last years to retrofit options and I know it's a PITA if you're looking for an issue like that.

 

Well I certainly appreciate the help. I've just got to chase these down I guess :/

 

For the same or less money - now might be a good time to upgrade the dash to an aftermarket product. Unfortunately - that will likely mean replacing speakers and amps too. But if your Comand system is out - it won't be cheap either...

 

I would never buy an aftermarket one. None of the integrated systems will work the way they are intended to work. You f u c k more up than you do any good by going aftermarket. Nobody says you have to buy a new COMAND from a dealership for a lot of money.

 

What is your actual problem?

 

Hey Mackhack

Can you help with this? I am installing the Sirius Module in a 2006 that is not prewired. So far, so good. I have the MOST connected and I have the power connected. I still have to connect the pink wake up wire, but the car does see the unit - it tells me I need to subscribe.

I have voice control on the car and I know there is a pink wire on that harness. I was wondering of it is a good idea to piggyback onto that wire and if it would affect the voice control. I also am not sure how to do it cleanly. My preference would be to pull the pink pin out of the connector and solder the second pink wire onto the connector and push it back in but not sure there is enough room to do that. I would really appreciate any suggestions.

 

Where are you located?

 

I am in Houston. I think you are in CA?

 

Send me an eMail with the vehicle data to start and I see what I can do for you.

 

I couldn't figure out how to send an email, but I did send a PM
I appreciate it