Intermittent Command Unit
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 53
Likes: 3
From: St Paul, Minnesota
2002 ML320, 2000 eE430 4matic, 2009 ML350 4matic, 1986 Vanagon(subaru powered)
Intermittent Command Unit
2009 ML350 with fiber optic gateway. The command unit will turn off on its own. Will restart, get mercedes star on screen, warning to not be distracted, and correct screen for radio, but will shut off in any of the three screens. If it has made it to the radio screen, one can change channels, etc. No rhyme or reason for how long it will take to return to normal operation, when it does, can use back up camera etc.
Used icarsoft MBZ 1 scanner and went through all systems/options looking for error codes. No errors in gateway, and no error codes in anything that looks like it would be CAN related or command related. Am I missing something? Will a faulty amplifier throw a readable code? How can I determine if it is a failed head unit or amplifier? Can I detect codes for the command system with this scanner?
What is best course of action if it is failed head unit? Repair or replace?
Thank you for your input
Used icarsoft MBZ 1 scanner and went through all systems/options looking for error codes. No errors in gateway, and no error codes in anything that looks like it would be CAN related or command related. Am I missing something? Will a faulty amplifier throw a readable code? How can I determine if it is a failed head unit or amplifier? Can I detect codes for the command system with this scanner?
What is best course of action if it is failed head unit? Repair or replace?
Thank you for your input
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 397
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From: Queensalnd Australia
2006 ML320 CDI (2 of) and 2008 GL320
Have April 08 command in GL which I just swapped out (came from car with camera and gps as does my car ) but I think the post facelift head unit has to be coded to car. Not sure if they can be (or need to be) virginised.
I had similar fault in 06 (earlier) command where it would cut out inconsistently. I could control volume with steering wheel buttons but not head unit. If I disconnected battery it would reset and run fine for a while . Weirdly I swapped the phone puck with another car and it seems to work fine since. Been six months.
I had similar fault in 06 (earlier) command where it would cut out inconsistently. I could control volume with steering wheel buttons but not head unit. If I disconnected battery it would reset and run fine for a while . Weirdly I swapped the phone puck with another car and it seems to work fine since. Been six months.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 53
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From: St Paul, Minnesota
2002 ML320, 2000 eE430 4matic, 2009 ML350 4matic, 1986 Vanagon(subaru powered)
This seems to be a common failure symptom. Whether the cause or actual loss of function is the same in all instances does not seem apparent. Talking to several repair facilities does not indicate that they can point to a common failure mode. Mother board, power supply, etc. Throw in the possibility that it may be associated with something outside the head unit, further complicates.
Is there a code that I am not able to read with the Icarsoft MB scanner? Does MB have deeper access to the command system? Does the command unit itself have a diagnostic mode and readout itself?
I will do a search on the phone puck, if it fixed your problem it would be worth a shot. Thanks for the response.
Is there a code that I am not able to read with the Icarsoft MB scanner? Does MB have deeper access to the command system? Does the command unit itself have a diagnostic mode and readout itself?
I will do a search on the phone puck, if it fixed your problem it would be worth a shot. Thanks for the response.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 53
Likes: 3
From: St Paul, Minnesota
2002 ML320, 2000 eE430 4matic, 2009 ML350 4matic, 1986 Vanagon(subaru powered)
Regarding scanners, I know that the Major has provided the fault codes and events attributable to the command system. How are these codes accessed? The MB specific scanner I have does not have a command section that I am aware of, is it called something else? It can access front and rear SAM, transmission, overhead panel etc.
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Regarding scanners, I know that the Major has provided the fault codes and events attributable to the command system. How are these codes accessed? The MB specific scanner I have does not have a command section that I am aware of, is it called something else? It can access front and rear SAM, transmission, overhead panel etc.
You need a scanner that checks for codes in all 25+ modules, depending on the features you have. I can only assume that you have a code reader and not a scanner. Or if it is a scanner, you do not know how to check checks for codes in all 25+ modules.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 53
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From: St Paul, Minnesota
2002 ML320, 2000 eE430 4matic, 2009 ML350 4matic, 1986 Vanagon(subaru powered)
I thought I heard the grasses rustle. Thank you Major.
I have a copy of the error codes that you had provided before, the MOST errors, speaker errors, etc. Lots of A, B C codes etc.
The difficulty is in trying to see if any of these codes exist in my truck. The scanner I am using is MB specific as well as OBDII. iCarsoft MB 2. Does steering angle, fuel pump, lots of modules. When I went through all the module readings manually, I did not see any errors that were related to the command system. My faulty electronic door handle shows up, but no command errors. If there are no error codes stored for a particular module, I just keep on going, so maybe I checked the right module but not detecting any error codes. What module would the command error codes be accessed through?
The terminology used for a code reader or scanner needs clarification. An OBDII only reader is a code reader? A code reader that can scan more modules is a scanner? A scanner is a code reader? Feeling stupid.
I have a copy of the error codes that you had provided before, the MOST errors, speaker errors, etc. Lots of A, B C codes etc.
The difficulty is in trying to see if any of these codes exist in my truck. The scanner I am using is MB specific as well as OBDII. iCarsoft MB 2. Does steering angle, fuel pump, lots of modules. When I went through all the module readings manually, I did not see any errors that were related to the command system. My faulty electronic door handle shows up, but no command errors. If there are no error codes stored for a particular module, I just keep on going, so maybe I checked the right module but not detecting any error codes. What module would the command error codes be accessed through?
The terminology used for a code reader or scanner needs clarification. An OBDII only reader is a code reader? A code reader that can scan more modules is a scanner? A scanner is a code reader? Feeling stupid.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: St Paul, Minnesota
2002 ML320, 2000 eE430 4matic, 2009 ML350 4matic, 1986 Vanagon(subaru powered)
Thanks for the codes. I have them from a prior download. My question is which module would I query to see if they are present? Thanks.
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 53
Likes: 3
From: St Paul, Minnesota
2002 ML320, 2000 eE430 4matic, 2009 ML350 4matic, 1986 Vanagon(subaru powered)
The oracle has spoken. The command unit will need to be repaired or replaced. Thank you.
Still curious as to what module the error codes would be stored in. There was no obvious module name that would lead one to associate it with the command unit. Is it obvious because no error codes are present? Or is it obvious because of the failure symptoms, ie. shutting off and restarting, etc. Why no error code for a failed command unit? Maybe thats an existential question, more akin to consciousness.
Still curious as to what module the error codes would be stored in. There was no obvious module name that would lead one to associate it with the command unit. Is it obvious because no error codes are present? Or is it obvious because of the failure symptoms, ie. shutting off and restarting, etc. Why no error code for a failed command unit? Maybe thats an existential question, more akin to consciousness.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 53
Likes: 3
From: St Paul, Minnesota
2002 ML320, 2000 eE430 4matic, 2009 ML350 4matic, 1986 Vanagon(subaru powered)
How does one access command error codes? Is it through the command unit itself? Did the older units have a hidden diagnosis screen that can be activated or is it similar to the other modules ie transmission, rear SAM, etc. ?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 53
Likes: 3
From: St Paul, Minnesota
2002 ML320, 2000 eE430 4matic, 2009 ML350 4matic, 1986 Vanagon(subaru powered)
I have the hardcover of that best selling volume. At the time cutting edge, but now sadly outdated. It doesn't really provide any light on the question of where command error codes are stored in the various onboard electronic/diagnostic modules in the vehicle. Time to learn more about the whole gateway/diagnostics system.
