2014 GLK350 Dead Radio Problems - Please help.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2014 GLK350
2014 GLK350 Dead Radio Problems - Please help.
Hello All, First off thanks in advance for any info you can provide me with this issue.
Several years ago the Main "radio unit / Command center" Not sure exactly what MB calls it, but the unit that has the CD/ AM/FM Satellite, etc.. controls in our vehicle died on us. Dealership says we have to buy a brand new unit and it has to be programmed with our vehicle's VIN to work with any of the other components in the vehicle and that each of those are all connected with an optical cable that is serialized with the vin number as well. This is so stupid in my honest opinion and has me fuming considering this replacement unit will cost over 4k to have replaced. Plus they want me to pay it all upfront since it has to be programmed at the factory which is said to make it unusable by any other vehicle. This sounds very scammy to me. The car radio shops in my area won't touch it for some of the same reasons. I'm reading that this is not true and I'm really confused. I had no problems upgrading my 2009 C300 a few years back.
What can I do? Is my only option really buying this thing from the factory which is 1/3 the price of the value of the vehicle? Any help you can provide will be very greatly appreciated. I'm at my wits end about this. I love the vehicle but without a radio and this BS about theft deterrent features has me fuming and very disappointed in MB sustainable design. Thanks
Several years ago the Main "radio unit / Command center" Not sure exactly what MB calls it, but the unit that has the CD/ AM/FM Satellite, etc.. controls in our vehicle died on us. Dealership says we have to buy a brand new unit and it has to be programmed with our vehicle's VIN to work with any of the other components in the vehicle and that each of those are all connected with an optical cable that is serialized with the vin number as well. This is so stupid in my honest opinion and has me fuming considering this replacement unit will cost over 4k to have replaced. Plus they want me to pay it all upfront since it has to be programmed at the factory which is said to make it unusable by any other vehicle. This sounds very scammy to me. The car radio shops in my area won't touch it for some of the same reasons. I'm reading that this is not true and I'm really confused. I had no problems upgrading my 2009 C300 a few years back.
What can I do? Is my only option really buying this thing from the factory which is 1/3 the price of the value of the vehicle? Any help you can provide will be very greatly appreciated. I'm at my wits end about this. I love the vehicle but without a radio and this BS about theft deterrent features has me fuming and very disappointed in MB sustainable design. Thanks
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 728
Likes: 271
2011 GLK 350 4Matic
This won't help you, but for future reference (and those of us with older GLKs), the NTG4.0 head unit (in the GLK and lots of other MBs until 2012) doesn't require ANY programming - it doesn't even have a security "PIN" that's required. I did a video on ID'ing, sourcing and replacing the head unit - but again, it's for the NTG4.0 unit, not the NTG4.5 unit in your 2014... (won't post the link to prevent any confusion).
Member
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 128
Likes: 58
2011 GLK 550
When you put a used radio in it will ask you for the anti-theft PIN. If you google NTG 4.5 anti theft PIN you can find plenty of services that will get this PIN for you for a few bucks.
The radios are programmed to the vehicle, but if you get one with the same part number as your old one most of the programming should be the same.
The radios are programmed to the vehicle, but if you get one with the same part number as your old one most of the programming should be the same.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 728
Likes: 271
2011 GLK 350 4Matic
There are some differences between the NTG4.0 and NTG4.5 units, but I think the process I used for ID'ing my head unit model number will be very similar. That saves you having to remove the unit to get the number (and on the 2013-up models, that's a LOT more work than the 2010-12 models).
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2014 GLK350
Unfortunately my unit will not boot up at all. so I'm going to have to pull it out of the vehicle. At the moment I'm having trouble finding someone to help me with the anti-theft pin. I can't tell which ones are reputable.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 128
Likes: 58
2011 GLK 550
Ebay has some listings, that would provide some buyer protection.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 343
2013 glk 350
Did it power up at all? Is it a new unit ? Units are a few hundred used on eBay , a dealer should only charge a few hundred to pair it if that’s necessary. Even without booting up a good radio should show something .
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2014 GLK350
"I'm not sure what you mean about a good radio should show something" Are you referring to my old one of if I get on off of eBay?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 343
2013 glk 350
Is it getting 12v, does it power on? Check the ground. Contact a few eBay sellers and ask how to get a used unit working . In Chicago there are independent shops that do reprogramming of MB, I had a shop work on my radio and reprogram it . Maybe in your area also. Dealers are crooks. Ask the eBay sellers and try a cheap unit , they sell for a few hundred all day long . Or take it to a local electronics repair shop for an estimate , maybe it’s a simple connection or capacitor or whatever. Good luck but the dealer is the last place to donate your hard earned money. Local stereo car shops should know how to direct you for help.
Last edited by Mmr1; Oct 10, 2024 at 10:54 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 281
From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
And for folks who prefer a link to the thread itself (for further reading), instead of a blurry screenshot:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post5904105
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post5904105
