Backup camera issue
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
2013 Mercedes E350
Backup camera issue
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.
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
2010 GL450, 2013 E350
Typical issue with MB Comand & backup camera
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
2013 Mercedes E350
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...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 160
From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
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.
Next time I back up, does fine.
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Joined: Mar 2014
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Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
2013 E350 & 1996 SL320
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.
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.
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
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
C320 & E350
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?
Does anyone know what is the most recent firmware I can get on a MY12?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
2013 Mercedes E350
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
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
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
2013 Mercedes E350
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.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 576
Likes: 19
From: Earth (Mostly)
2023 XC60 PHEV, 2023 XC40 BEV
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 4
2012 E350 Sedan, 2007 Ford GT500
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.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
2013 Mercedes E350
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 44
From: Portsmouth, VA
2010 E350, Sold 1998 C230
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
1999 ML430, 2008 GL450
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.
Super Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 620
Likes: 65
From: Florida
2018 E300 Luxury - P3 and more
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.
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.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
SL55 AMG
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.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 9
Likes: 2
2010 Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport, 2008 Volkswagen Passat 3.6L 4Motion Sport 4dr
Inop back up cam here
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?
