Extended running of GLE radio on just battery
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: San Juan County, Washington
2018 GLE43
Extended running of GLE radio on just battery
I've owned cars for 50 years and Mercedes models for nearly half that time. Routine practice has always been to leave the radio running when washing the car, doing other maintenance, riding in the car on ferries, picnics, etc.
Problem arises with my 2018 GLE43 AMG. It will run the radio for 15-20 minutes and then shutdown. There seems to be no way to get it to stay on for longer periods. And each time it is re-enabled (ignition switch to Aux), the timeout seems to shorten.
OK, Mercedes will say they are running the radio from the auxiliary battery (why?, that's pretty dumb, but so be it) and they need to protect the "small" auxiliary battery. So, to my questions:
1) Does anyone know if the shutdown is based on the voltage from the auxiliary battery dropping to some preset "low" level? Can this be adjusted?
2) If I connect a second identical battery in parallel, will this extend the runtime?
3) Or, perhaps, just put in a similar-but-larger battery that will take longer to discharge thereby extending the runtime?
I really like the utility and driveability of this car, but I swear that Mercedes goes out of their way to mess up at least one basic feature on each car they release. Have their designers really never gone on a picnic where they wanted to listen to the car's radio or wanted to keep listening to a ballgame while changing a tire? This limitation is baffling. Of course, I will be happy to eat crow if someone can explain how its just my car malfunctioning but I've confirmed with my service coordinator that this is how things work.I'm hoping someone has found a way to alter the situation. It is only a matter of software after all....
Problem arises with my 2018 GLE43 AMG. It will run the radio for 15-20 minutes and then shutdown. There seems to be no way to get it to stay on for longer periods. And each time it is re-enabled (ignition switch to Aux), the timeout seems to shorten.
OK, Mercedes will say they are running the radio from the auxiliary battery (why?, that's pretty dumb, but so be it) and they need to protect the "small" auxiliary battery. So, to my questions:
1) Does anyone know if the shutdown is based on the voltage from the auxiliary battery dropping to some preset "low" level? Can this be adjusted?
2) If I connect a second identical battery in parallel, will this extend the runtime?
3) Or, perhaps, just put in a similar-but-larger battery that will take longer to discharge thereby extending the runtime?
I really like the utility and driveability of this car, but I swear that Mercedes goes out of their way to mess up at least one basic feature on each car they release. Have their designers really never gone on a picnic where they wanted to listen to the car's radio or wanted to keep listening to a ballgame while changing a tire? This limitation is baffling. Of course, I will be happy to eat crow if someone can explain how its just my car malfunctioning but I've confirmed with my service coordinator that this is how things work.I'm hoping someone has found a way to alter the situation. It is only a matter of software after all....
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,567
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Welcome! Please post a photo of the GLE.
Also standard practice on VW to power off radio after a preset time.
First question, if possible, likely would need Xentry/DAS diagnostic system.
Other questions are modifications of the electrical system, which may, or may not, have unintended consequences. If it were my vehicle, I would not do those things.
Also standard practice on VW to power off radio after a preset time.
First question, if possible, likely would need Xentry/DAS diagnostic system.
Other questions are modifications of the electrical system, which may, or may not, have unintended consequences. If it were my vehicle, I would not do those things.
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 210
Likes: 13
From: Louisville, KY
2014 Black SLK 55 AMG, Black 2015 GL 550, 2011 Blue GLK 350
All MB products Ive owned in the past 10 years have shut off the radio after a preset time. I may be waiting for the kid to finish up practice or the wifey to come out of the store, whatever. And yes the time shortens each cycle. If you restart the vehicle and shut off you get the max time. Its just a battery saver. Nothing more nothing less.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 262
Likes: 69
From: Wisconsin
2016 GLE 350 4Matic, 2019 GLS 450 4Matic
I've owned cars for 50 years and Mercedes models for nearly half that time. Routine practice has always been to leave the radio running when washing the car, doing other maintenance, riding in the car on ferries, picnics, etc.
Problem arises with my 2018 GLE43 AMG. It will run the radio for 15-20 minutes and then shutdown. There seems to be no way to get it to stay on for longer periods. And each time it is re-enabled (ignition switch to Aux), the timeout seems to shorten.
OK, Mercedes will say they are running the radio from the auxiliary battery (why?, that's pretty dumb, but so be it) and they need to protect the "small" auxiliary battery. So, to my questions:
1) Does anyone know if the shutdown is based on the voltage from the auxiliary battery dropping to some preset "low" level? Can this be adjusted?
2) If I connect a second identical battery in parallel, will this extend the runtime?
3) Or, perhaps, just put in a similar-but-larger battery that will take longer to discharge thereby extending the runtime?
I really like the utility and driveability of this car, but I swear that Mercedes goes out of their way to mess up at least one basic feature on each car they release. Have their designers really never gone on a picnic where they wanted to listen to the car's radio or wanted to keep listening to a ballgame while changing a tire? This limitation is baffling. Of course, I will be happy to eat crow if someone can explain how its just my car malfunctioning but I've confirmed with my service coordinator that this is how things work.I'm hoping someone has found a way to alter the situation. It is only a matter of software after all....
Problem arises with my 2018 GLE43 AMG. It will run the radio for 15-20 minutes and then shutdown. There seems to be no way to get it to stay on for longer periods. And each time it is re-enabled (ignition switch to Aux), the timeout seems to shorten.
OK, Mercedes will say they are running the radio from the auxiliary battery (why?, that's pretty dumb, but so be it) and they need to protect the "small" auxiliary battery. So, to my questions:
1) Does anyone know if the shutdown is based on the voltage from the auxiliary battery dropping to some preset "low" level? Can this be adjusted?
2) If I connect a second identical battery in parallel, will this extend the runtime?
3) Or, perhaps, just put in a similar-but-larger battery that will take longer to discharge thereby extending the runtime?
I really like the utility and driveability of this car, but I swear that Mercedes goes out of their way to mess up at least one basic feature on each car they release. Have their designers really never gone on a picnic where they wanted to listen to the car's radio or wanted to keep listening to a ballgame while changing a tire? This limitation is baffling. Of course, I will be happy to eat crow if someone can explain how its just my car malfunctioning but I've confirmed with my service coordinator that this is how things work.I'm hoping someone has found a way to alter the situation. It is only a matter of software after all....
I'm on the bandwagon for it's a problem bring it up, like my complaint of why MB has to pulse-width-modulate the 7-pin trailer hitch plug which is giving me some technical issues with our camper observation camera. However, as I'm learning with my first Mercedes (a '16 GLE 350 4Matic), it's not really a case of your "car malfunctioning" when they designed it that way, rather than something that's an design matter. I'm figuring it's one of those things that someone complained about and we're looking at the "fixes" MB came up with.
In your case with this issue, it probably figures that someone complained about there NOT being a way to protect the battery from going dead and then the timed-use limitation was created.
I'm sure my own list of "why did they do that" issues will grow over time, but for now I'm thrilled to own a vehicle other than an overpriced pickup truck that can tow a 28' travel trailer, fit in my garage, and still park in crowded downtown streets not having to avoid a spot due to vehicle length.
I get what you're saying though--- and for many it's just "why"?!
