chackett

Hi All-

Recently the Command / Computer / Radio in my wife's 2014 E350 started randomly rebooting or failing to come on at all. It happened while I was out of town, so of course, she took it to the dealer and spent $200 for them to say "We tried everything and you need a new system at a cost of $4,400."

Googling around, I've seen several videos and articles that describe using a fiber loop adapter to systematically "remove" various components or modules from the MOST Network; modules like the Sirrus receiver, nav unit, voice control module, etc. In THIS video the fellow uses a fiber loop adapter to "remove" the potentially failed module from the MOST Network, but in THIS video, the guy simply unplugs it.

The modules that I have heard of people having success "removing" from the network are; the CD changer, the amplifier, the Voice Control Module, the satellite radio receiver. I'd have to believe there may be others. I've also read that of these modules, with the amplifier, that module must be replaced, you can't just remove that one from the MOST network.

Is there any definitive guide, or video or Wiki or anything regarding this issue, troubleshooting procedures, and fixes? I really can't afford to replace this thing at $4,400 and my wife can't survive her commute without a radio. Kind of a bummer that her 2014 vehicle with <100k miles has this expensive and problematic of an issue. Hopefully I can resolve it.

Thanks,
Chris

konigstiger

Did they attempt to update COMAND software, all should be noted on your invoice including fault code(s) found to indicate unit is malfunctioning. For peace of mind you can check all connectors @ head uni & amp. Provide VIN if, in fact, unit is bad I will supply compatible part #s to comparison shop used.

chackett

Thanks so much for the quick and helpful response, I really appreciate that.
VIN: WDDHF5KB6EB062162

They basically said they "tried every trick we know of and couldn't even get the scan tool to connect / recognize the system" .. " Verified complaint that comand turns off intermittently while driving" "the SDS will not communicate with the SDS at all. Removed the comand and verified it has power, ground, and can connections. see edge for repairs" That's the entirety of the diagnostic notes.

I wil review the attachments you provided. Thanks so much!

Chris

chackett

It's really cold here so I haven't had a chance to look too much into this, but did happen to notice that while the comand is off or unable to turn on, the "on" button on the front console is blinking. Not sure if that's meaningful or not.

I also ordered one of those fiber loops in the hopes that I might be able to use on on various components in the fiber loop to maybe get lucky a nd discover it's something like a faulty Sirrius receiver which we don't use .. or maybe the nav unit, which we also don't need. Really all she wants is her radio (preferably with handsfree bluetooth working) and her backup camera.

Thanks!
Chris

Senecat

It's just a computer, and a primitive one at that. My 15 year old AM2-powered PC still runs just fine, granted a few formats and OS re-installs over time. It's never hardware, it's always software.

Format and fresh install the OS.

chackett

Thanks. Is there a guide or any YT videos outlining this process? Or any prior threads here discussing that procedure?

Left Coast Geek

pretty much only a Mercedes dealer has access to the 'flashware' (thats what Mercedes calls the firmware/software on these cars) and the database of what flashware is needed on which car. If the dealer can't run diagnostics, then they can't do a flashware upgrade either.

chackett

Thanks. I am doubtful, but I've ordered the fiber loop dealio to see if I can take things like the Sirrus receiver, voice control module, or navigation module out of the fiber loop and observe any change in behavior. I lieu of that, I'm really not sure what my next steps are. I really can't afford $4,400 from MBUSa to replace / repair it. But my wife certainly can't live without a radio.

So disappointed with MB. I'm pretty sure this will be the last MB we own.

Chris

juanmor40

Did you read @konigstiger message? What does the MB diagnosis receipt/form say about it? Any code number?

If none, I will reconsider the MB specialist opinion.

Have you personally tried the common suggestions to reset the head unit?

zenocchio

i had issues with my system, i simply removed all the CDs from the Cd changer. It fixed the problem, and I haven't played a CD since

chackett

I have seen that message, and my response below it quotes the relevant text from the dealer (RBM of Alpharetta) visit. They were unable to pull codes, and basically said they pulled the unit anc checked for power and ground and CAN connection, but were not abe to get their tool to connect and pull codes. With the unit mostly unresponsive, other than pulling the battery and touching the vehicle-side positive and negative leads together for some period of time, I'm not sure what other common methods of resetting / rebooting the unit are available.

Thanks,
Chris

chackett

I should be so lucky. Most of the time the unit is unresponsive / off. However it will periodically spring back to life for short periods of time before it dies again. I don't think my wife listens to CD's but that doesn't mean there isn't one in there. I'll be sure to tell her to try and eject / empty the in-dash changer if it comes to life and she can get to it.

Thanks!
Chris

vich3

A long shot
I had a CLK550 that exhibited similar actions
​​I was messing with it one day and noticed when I had it out it came on and went off
discoverd when i moved the main plug to the side it stayed on.
Shimmed the connector with a sliver of wood and never had any more reboots.
Never took time to diagnose and properly repair
Good luck

chackett

I hope I'm that lucky when I can get in there and mess with it. I had a similar situation on my F150 where I thought the window motor hand burned out. I was replacing the master / driver side window controller unit in the armrest. Somehow while I was messing with it, the motor sprang to life and I realized the problem was in the switch, not the motor. Adjusting a few pins in the unit, and I was back in business. That was 3 years ago and it's still working great.

I appreciate the hint. I'm definitely willing to look at any possibility that isn't me spending $4,400 at the dealer

juanmor40

Also, you should read a thread by @CaliBenzDriver where he analyzes the electronics of the head unit (do not recall the thread, but it is in this forum). A loose component, a bad connection, or starting to fail component when warming up can produce intermittent failures. Your approach so far is sound: take it out and try to find bad connections of any kind, and go from there. Good luck, and keep us posted.

chackett

Thanks! I am going to guess you mean this thread:

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...s-modules.html

I've just run through that thread and man, what a wealth of awesome information. I was a little dissappointed in the amount of info specifically on the head unit and the CAN associated with it and the fiber ring and associated modules. Maybe there's a different thread you are referring me to? I'll keep looking. I was really hoping he was going to open that headunit up and get in there, but I missed it if he did.

Thanks!
Chris

juanmor40

He probably did not open it.. I do not recall at the moment.

Here is another link describing the pin-out for these units (https://pinoutguide.com/Car-Stereo-M...__pinout.shtml ) That site has quite a bit of information in general.

chackett

Awesome .. thanks. I'm definitely interested in collecting all the info I can to help me get to the bottom of this. I appreciate it.

ultra_E63

The same issue just happened to me two nights ago. First it was flickering if the MB logo then just complete failure. Did the Comand reset by pulling fuses, verified the fuse behind the H/U is good and did a main battery disconnect for a few hours. All no joy. I was looking into the possibility of just picking up a second hand unit from a salvage car but those run upwards of $300. A fraction of the 4K but I’m still not convinced it’s the whole unit at fault. A few minutes ago I read that a bad aux battery may cause this issue. Will probably try my luck with that first, fingers crossed !

Left Coast Geek

a replacement head unit will probably need to be flashed and coded to match the rest of the modules in the car.

Senecat

Have you tried a simple manual reboot?

Press and hold the knob button until it restarts.

Left Coast Geek

is that the power button on the comand unit, or the console general purpose control knob ?

but, I dunno, if the dealer coudlnt' stabilish CANbus communications with it to get diagnostics, odds are thats not happening.

Senecat

Senecat

In which case, there's a lot more to this story that we're not getting (someone has monkeyed around with it in the past/removed the unit/aftermarket stereo stuff/tried to fix something else and jacked it up/whatever)

Senecat

I've rebooted mine a few times just because I can. The first time was actually because of some kind of malfunction that I forgot, and it cleared it up just fine. Haven't had a problem since.