Radio out -- again!
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Massachusetts
Radio out -- again!
On my 12/2002 manuf. W211, the HK radio went out at about 1000 miles - the commonly seen dead radio with the MB logo when you try to turn it on. Took it to the dealer who said it was a known software issue and fixed it.
Well, it worked for another few thousand miles and it's doing the same again.
Anyone had a repeat performance ? What was done to fix it ?
Well, it worked for another few thousand miles and it's doing the same again.
Anyone had a repeat performance ? What was done to fix it ?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 454
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From: NC
'03 Mercedes E320
Keys?
This may be totally off the mark, but while I don't have extended radio problems, occasionally I will get just the MB screen and no radio when starting. What I have discovered is that it only happens with one of my SmartKeys.
The one with the gray lock tab on top (retains the metal key) never has a glitch. The one with the black lock tab has occasional radio boot-up problems and an occasional Tele-Aid warning. With the black key, however, they have been cured by a restart.
I have typically swapped MB SmartKeys every couple months since I'm the only driver and I wanted to keep even key battery use. No problems on a '98 E or '01 C, but each time I have swapped for the black key on the W211 I have had warning messages within a few days. I meant to have the dealer put both keys on their tester when I was there, but forgot to take the spare. Can anyone else comment on their experience, or try the different key when problems are occurring?
The one with the gray lock tab on top (retains the metal key) never has a glitch. The one with the black lock tab has occasional radio boot-up problems and an occasional Tele-Aid warning. With the black key, however, they have been cured by a restart.
I have typically swapped MB SmartKeys every couple months since I'm the only driver and I wanted to keep even key battery use. No problems on a '98 E or '01 C, but each time I have swapped for the black key on the W211 I have had warning messages within a few days. I meant to have the dealer put both keys on their tester when I was there, but forgot to take the spare. Can anyone else comment on their experience, or try the different key when problems are occurring?
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From: Massachusetts
Thanks Otto
I called the service person at the dealer - he said that the last time the fixed it - in early July - they just reset the system by disconnecting the power.
I told him about the gateway after reading about it here and he looked it up and said yes, that is what has to be done.
Let's see what happens, he said a few days to get the part. They're in high demand !!!
I called the service person at the dealer - he said that the last time the fixed it - in early July - they just reset the system by disconnecting the power.
I told him about the gateway after reading about it here and he looked it up and said yes, that is what has to be done.
Let's see what happens, he said a few days to get the part. They're in high demand !!!
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Originally posted by mrandery
Thanks Otto
I called the service person at the dealer - he said that the last time the fixed it - in early July - they just reset the system by disconnecting the power.
I told him about the gateway after reading about it here and he looked it up and said yes, that is what has to be done.
Let's see what happens, he said a few days to get the part. They're in high demand !!!
Thanks Otto
I called the service person at the dealer - he said that the last time the fixed it - in early July - they just reset the system by disconnecting the power.
I told him about the gateway after reading about it here and he looked it up and said yes, that is what has to be done.
Let's see what happens, he said a few days to get the part. They're in high demand !!!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: SoCal
MB
Originally posted by mrandery
I'll ask / see the unit and post re: cooling fan.
Have the audio gateways been going out because of heat ?
I'll ask / see the unit and post re: cooling fan.
Have the audio gateways been going out because of heat ?
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Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Massachusetts
I just pulled/reinserted the # 6 fuse as you suggested and it's working again. I assume this is what the dealer did the first time I took it in for this. This time they are replacing the audio gateway.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 550
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From: San Antonio, Texas
04' E500 w/Appear. PKG, Panorama Roof
My Gateway was replaced with 1500 miles on the car at 2 mos old. Now with Hk radio out the 4th time, each requiring a dealer visit and trip across town and all the related hassle, I took the posted "pull fuse 6" advice and VOILA ! the raDIO WORKS... seems the thing to do.
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 215
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From: Seattle
2001 ML320
I've had my HK lock up about 3 times. I've heard there can be a problem where the cause is overheating. All 3 times it has happened to me were immediately upon starting the car. I've found that if I turn it off and use the remote key to lock and unclock the door everything works fine. I'm not sure if they have a fix for this or not. Dealer didn't seem to know. Does anyone think the 'audio gateway' fix is for me? What exactly is is?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 636
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From: New Jersey, USA
W211 & Q7
Barney,
I had the same problem but after my dealer upgrade "audio getway software and head unit". I am a happy owner now.
ask your dealer for "upgrade audio getway".
I heard you can unplug and plug fuse #6 in your trunk to get a temporary fix. I also heard that mb will install a small fan near audio getway to prevent overheat in the future but at the mean time, upgrade audio getway is the solution.
Otto
I had the same problem but after my dealer upgrade "audio getway software and head unit". I am a happy owner now.
ask your dealer for "upgrade audio getway".
I heard you can unplug and plug fuse #6 in your trunk to get a temporary fix. I also heard that mb will install a small fan near audio getway to prevent overheat in the future but at the mean time, upgrade audio getway is the solution.
Otto
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 636
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From: New Jersey, USA
W211 & Q7
well, hk is too powerful and it generates a lot of heat. I believe the audio gateway software upgrade is preventing owner "over" enjoying hk and surpressing output power to "not too hot". the real solution is coming according to a rumor -- mb will install a small fan (same fan using in computer cpu.) near audio getway.
do you think keeping opening trunk and unpluging/pluging fuse #6 is another cruel penalty for mb hk owner?
do you think keeping opening trunk and unpluging/pluging fuse #6 is another cruel penalty for mb hk owner?
Last edited by Otto; Aug 12, 2003 at 03:23 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Massachusetts
Update on gateway unit
Just back from the dealer -- seems that MB has decided that replacing the audio gateway with one with a fan does NOT solve the problem. They have been getting reports of problems with the replacements as well.
I was told that MB is working on a fix and would call me when they had one, hopefully soon, but no date.
So, I was told to keep pulling/reinserting the #6 fuse to reset the system whenever I had the problem.
Let's see what comes of this.
Maybe they could rig a pusbutton reset switch on the dash that will kill the power momentarily to restart the audio ??
I was told that MB is working on a fix and would call me when they had one, hopefully soon, but no date.
So, I was told to keep pulling/reinserting the #6 fuse to reset the system whenever I had the problem.
Let's see what comes of this.
Maybe they could rig a pusbutton reset switch on the dash that will kill the power momentarily to restart the audio ??
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 636
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From: New Jersey, USA
W211 & Q7
Maybe they could rig a pusbutton reset switch on the dash that will kill the power momentarily to restart the audio ??
the front load cd changer plus front load fuse box for quick unplug and plug fuse #6 without opening trunk.
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Chino Hills, CA
2007 E63, 2007 BMW 335i Coupe & 1991 Honda Accord
mrandery, thanks for the fuse tip. My radio went out over the weekend. I did a search on the forum for temporary fixes and came across your posting. It's now working after I pulled out the #6 fuse and left it out for a few minutes. My service advisor confirmed the audio gateway upgrade and will have it done once I find the time to take the car in. Thank goodness for this forum!!
