topspin2000

Hi guys,

Anybody having problems with their backup camera? Mine would sometimes display a black screen when reversing. Shifting it back to drive, then reverse again, does not make it come on. But driving a while, then shifting into reverse, and it'll work again. This has happened to me about 5x in the last year. Took it in last week and the service adviser told me they updated the COMAND software. But this morning it happened again. Don't know what else I can do since it's intermittent and works most of the time. Sounds like some kind of software bug, but not sure. So I'd like to hear from others, especially who've had theirs fixed.

Thanks.

KEY08

I get it, haven't had it fixed. Don't really care. It's an MB and COMMAND glitches are common.

dimitristx

Have flickering issues often on the E350. Every once in a while, I get distorted image noise in my GL450. Turning engine off and on again always solves the issue. Problem is with the backup camera, not Comand, but since I can't replicate when it happens (as it resets itself) it will be hard to demo for the service manager...

topspin2000

I get the flickering noise sometimes too. Yeah they can't duplicate it, of course. Already updated the firmware on the COMAND unit to the latest version, so don't know what else I can do.

El Cid

Have had this happen a few times in five years. Not sure, but it seems to happen if I try to change the audio from Music Register to CD or radio right after shifting into reverse and before the camera opens up.
Next time I back up, does fine.

thefisch

+1 for my car.

SLpat

Same thing for me. In 18 months and 20,000 miles I have had it happen 5 or 6 times. It only happens the one time then seems to reset and it won't be an issue for months.

claudef

This happened to me. Dealer stated command unit, updated software but no change I traced this down to a faulty backup camera wire on mine and very easy to replicate.

Step to check if it is the wire from the camera:
Put parking brakes
Make sure you also have something blocking the wheels to prevent car from rolling
Remove the liner from the trunk
Put the car in Reverse (with engine off but key on position 2)
Now wiggle the cable that comes from the backup camera and see if the video works.

If it does (like it did mine) just use duck tape to lift the cable to a point where it works and attach the tape somewhere in the trunk support

Not worth buying a camera yet for me. $900 from teh dealer and $25 from eBay. I installed a backup camera on my dads car. Parts and shipping: about $35 and works like a charm. about 1 hour of work

Arrie

IK think this is normal. If you touch buttons before the camera comes on it will not come on at all until you shift out of reverse and then go back to reverse.

eldivino

I've randomly got the flickering on the screen. It doesn't happen often though. I might take the car to the dealer and see if they update the Comand Software.

Does anyone know what is the most recent firmware I can get on a MY12?

topspin2000

Thanks Claudef, I'll check the cable in the trunk to see if it's loose. I'm leaning more towards this being a software problem though... but it doesn't hurt to check the wire.

topspin2000

This has happened to me when I wasn't touching any buttons. Just simply started the car and backing out of a parking spot. Black screen.

samkimg

I've found that if I record the COMAND screen misbehaving and then take that to the shop foreman I can get move issues resolved the first time through, avoiding the "unable to duplicate" most shops return with.

ArcticE

also get the same thing, will be checking my wires tomorrow. thanks

Six_Speed

Got the black screen in reverse on my 2012 E350 last week for the first time. I could not restore the camera by switching between reverse and park. Camera started working again later at my destination and I haven't seen it happen again. I also observed the screen flickering while in reverse yesterday.

topspin2000

I had all those symptoms too. But strangely, since I posted the original message, I only had one black screen once. No flickering again. The dealer couldn't find anything wrong with it, and I already have the latest software installed. It's rare enough that I think I can live with it.

aquinob

I get it too, maybe once a week or less. Probably a bad connection with the camera or somewhere in the wiring up to the dash. Someday when Im ambitious or if it goes out all together I'll pull it apart and see what is happening. For now, will just live with it.

dipinj

sorry to hijack, but i have a 08 GL450 and it didn't come with rear view camera. I found a OEM used one on eBay. does anyone know if the wire harness exists in the lift gate if I'm using an OEM camera? if so, is it plug n play? i have the NAV unit. Does anyone have a write up on the procedure? I've tried to google / youtube everywhere to no avail.

BeachBunny

Just adding some info:

I have the 360 degree camera on my car and when this happens it affects ALL of the cameras. Thus, it can't be a wire connection at the camera.

So far Merc's replaced three 360 Camera modules and two COMAND units. All on a brand new 2015.

1st was replaced when the screen would go to random flickering with the cameras on.
2nd was replaced after the screen would go black with the cameras on
3rd was replaced...because... ? They were trying to troubleshoot something else on the car and thought this might fix it... it didn't, but I got a new 360 camera module out of the deal.

hhalimi

I have a 2014 E350 wagon with 360 camera. Back up camera doesn't work when weather is below 60 degrees, works fine in summer. All the other cameras are working fine. I don't know how to take the darn shell from the lift gate to check the wires. Car is no longer under warranty.

MBSaurus

konigstiger

See attachments.

RTT45680 W212

Bought my 2010 e350 4matic 6 months ago. Back up camera has never worked. The "check surroundings" pops up but nothing else. Everything else in the cluster works down to the video mode. I read several posts here that say "tap or hit it" but am not sure what or where to hit. Anyone mind clarifying the location? Many thanks! BTW... The auxiliary battery malfunction pops up in the gauge cluster as a warning when starting the car. A local mechanic said it's not a major issue and would cause a few items not to work. I'm wondering if the camera is one of them. Thoughts?

konigstiger

See attachments.

RTT45680 W212

Thank you for your help!