SiriusXM Problem (No Service)
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
SiriusXM Problem (No Service)
I just recently purchased a 2012 E350 MB with 29,000 miles on it. First time MB owner. The car is immaculate! One of the reasons I bought the car is because it is equipped with satellite radio. I received a free 90 day subscription from Sirius but I can't get my radio to work. The reception is intermittent (but mostly not at all) and my radio says no service. I have Sirius resend the signal to me 3 separate times and the radio stays on the last channel I was able to listen to (Ch 69) and because it says no service, I cannot make the radio go to channel 184 to receive a new signal. After diagnosing the issue, MB Service says the SDAR has an internal issue and needs to be replaced ($1,900.00). YIKES! I have read some of the forums and there are so many ideas as to what the problem might be i.e Sirius sends too many stations to the older radios and they won't function, have Sirius place your radio ESN into a "protected tier", and some other suggestions I can't recall as I write this post. I'm not spending $1,900 to replace the SDAR as I bought the car thinking Sirius radio worked. Took it back to the dealer where I purchased and they won't do anything to help with cost of fixing the radio. I have seen on eBay some used SDAR modules for less than $100.00 and was thinking I might try that route, but I don't know if that will cure the problem. Sirius has not been a big help as they keep sending me back to MB, but often in the forum threads I have read, the issue is blamed on Sirius and not MB. I guess I'm looking for some current thoughts and ideas on how I should proceed at this point.
The following users liked this post:
Semih Atabey (01-27-2021)
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 995
Received 136 Likes
on
125 Posts
W212 E-class, W211 E-class, F10 5-Series
I have never heard the of the "Sirius sends too many stations to the older radios and they won't function" issue. My W211 (which is older than your car) worked perfectly with xm radio, so not sure what is meant by that.
I do know that I had to get Mercedes to reactivate my embrace module and update some software relating to that, before was able to get any satellite signals, so your issue maybe similar.
I do know that I had to get Mercedes to reactivate my embrace module and update some software relating to that, before was able to get any satellite signals, so your issue maybe similar.
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
I have never heard the of the "Sirius sends too many stations to the older radios and they won't function" issue. My W211 (which is older than your car) worked perfectly with xm radio, so not sure what is meant by that.
I do know that I had to get Mercedes to reactivate my embrace module and update some software relating to that, before was able to get any satellite signals, so your issue maybe similar.
I do know that I had to get Mercedes to reactivate my embrace module and update some software relating to that, before was able to get any satellite signals, so your issue maybe similar.
#4
Out Of Control!!
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: North Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 15,903
Received 4,446 Likes
on
3,154 Posts
'71 Pinto
Attempt a COMAND soft reset by pressing ON button for at least 10 seconds. Dealer should have checked for software update and provided fault code and replacement part # on invoice if not, request it. Shopping used - best to match existing part # in vehicle capture shows compatible #s listed in EPC, see attachment for replacement.
Last edited by konigstiger; 01-15-2018 at 03:19 PM.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes
on
21 Posts
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
I just recently purchased a 2012 E350 MB with 29,000 miles on it. First time MB owner. The car is immaculate! One of the reasons I bought the car is because it is equipped with satellite radio. I received a free 90 day subscription from Sirius but I can't get my radio to work. The reception is intermittent (but mostly not at all) and my radio says no service. I have Sirius resend the signal to me 3 separate times and the radio stays on the last channel I was able to listen to (Ch 69) and because it says no service, I cannot make the radio go to channel 184 to receive a new signal. After diagnosing the issue, MB Service says the SDAR has an internal issue and needs to be replaced ($1,900.00). YIKES! I have read some of the forums and there are so many ideas as to what the problem might be i.e Sirius sends too many stations to the older radios and they won't function, have Sirius place your radio ESN into a "protected tier", and some other suggestions I can't recall as I write this post. I'm not spending $1,900 to replace the SDAR as I bought the car thinking Sirius radio worked. Took it back to the dealer where I purchased and they won't do anything to help with cost of fixing the radio. I have seen on eBay some used SDAR modules for less than $100.00 and was thinking I might try that route, but I don't know if that will cure the problem. Sirius has not been a big help as they keep sending me back to MB, but often in the forum threads I have read, the issue is blamed on Sirius and not MB. I guess I'm looking for some current thoughts and ideas on how I should proceed at this point.
The following users liked this post:
Rustyx111 (01-15-2018)
#6
Newbie
Thread Starter
Attempt a COMAND soft reset by pressing ON button for at least 10 seconds. Dealer should have checked for software update and provided fault code and replacement part # on invoice if not, request it. Shopping used - best to match existing part # in vehicle capture shows compatible #s listed in EPC, see attachment for replacement.
#7
Newbie
Thread Starter
Thanks for the info. Hope you are enjoying your Benz. My first and I just love driving it. With the exception of the Sirius problem, it's like driving a brand new car. Does Spotify require airtime on your cell phone carrier? I only get 2 G's per month and wondering if that would be eaten up quickly by doing that.
Trending Topics
#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: MA
Posts: 6,151
Received 1,506 Likes
on
1,177 Posts
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Thanks for the info. Hope you are enjoying your Benz. My first and I just love driving it. With the exception of the Sirius problem, it's like driving a brand new car. Does Spotify require airtime on your cell phone carrier? I only get 2 G's per month and wondering if that would be eaten up quickly by doing that.
For Sirius, you can often call them up and get 5 months for $30. You can add the traffic to it for an extra $2/month. You sometimes have to get to the retention department before you get that. Normally you just sign up for a free 3 month trial the first time you use it.
https://slickdeals.net/f/10971607-st...-card-required
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
I just recently purchased a 2012 E350 MB with 29,000 miles on it. First time MB owner. The car is immaculate! One of the reasons I bought the car is because it is equipped with satellite radio. I received a free 90 day subscription from Sirius but I can't get my radio to work. The reception is intermittent (but mostly not at all) and my radio says no service. I have Sirius resend the signal to me 3 separate times and the radio stays on the last channel I was able to listen to (Ch 69) and because it says no service, I cannot make the radio go to channel 184 to receive a new signal. After diagnosing the issue, MB Service says the SDAR has an internal issue and needs to be replaced ($1,900.00). YIKES! I have read some of the forums and there are so many ideas as to what the problem might be i.e Sirius sends too many stations to the older radios and they won't function, have Sirius place your radio ESN into a "protected tier", and some other suggestions I can't recall as I write this post. I'm not spending $1,900 to replace the SDAR as I bought the car thinking Sirius radio worked. Took it back to the dealer where I purchased and they won't do anything to help with cost of fixing the radio. I have seen on eBay some used SDAR modules for less than $100.00 and was thinking I might try that route, but I don't know if that will cure the problem. Sirius has not been a big help as they keep sending me back to MB, but often in the forum threads I have read, the issue is blamed on Sirius and not MB. I guess I'm looking for some current thoughts and ideas on how I should proceed at this point.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes
on
21 Posts
2012 E550 Cabriolet 2011 VW Eos 1985 Pininfarina Spider
Thanks for the info. Hope you are enjoying your Benz. My first and I just love driving it. With the exception of the Sirius problem, it's like driving a brand new car. Does Spotify require airtime on your cell phone carrier? I only get 2 G's per month and wondering if that would be eaten up quickly by doing that.
The following users liked this post:
Rustyx111 (01-16-2018)
#11
Newbie
Thread Starter
Thanks for the info. The idea of a bad antenna has been mentioned but the MB dealer said it was the SDAR Control Module, so I didn't think about the antenna again. Perhaps I will try the AM reception (which I never have used) to see how that works. It's a maddening thing I know that for sure. Nobody in either MB or Sirius has been very helpful. You mentioned Konigstiger posted instructions for checking for a bad ground - where would I find that explanation?