Problem with Bose in S500
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Problem with Bose in S500
Hi all!
I have a problem with my bose system. Sometimes the sound disappears for 1 second and sometimes it disappears until i restart the car.
Someone have any tip what could be wrong. My dealer have search for errors but no errorcodes at all.
I am also wondering if someone has an update for my comand. The year of the car is a 2000 without the DX-system.
Thanks.
/Christofer
I have a problem with my bose system. Sometimes the sound disappears for 1 second and sometimes it disappears until i restart the car.
Someone have any tip what could be wrong. My dealer have search for errors but no errorcodes at all.
I am also wondering if someone has an update for my comand. The year of the car is a 2000 without the DX-system.
Thanks.
/Christofer
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: SPAIN
2013 SL 350, ML 350 BT
Re: Problem with Bose in S500
Originally posted by toffa
Hi all!
I have a problem with my bose system. Sometimes the sound disappears for 1 second and sometimes it disappears until i restart the car.
Someone have any tip what could be wrong. My dealer have search for errors but no errorcodes at all.
I am also wondering if someone has an update for my comand. The year of the car is a 2000 without the DX-system.
Thanks.
/Christofer
Hi all!
I have a problem with my bose system. Sometimes the sound disappears for 1 second and sometimes it disappears until i restart the car.
Someone have any tip what could be wrong. My dealer have search for errors but no errorcodes at all.
I am also wondering if someone has an update for my comand. The year of the car is a 2000 without the DX-system.
Thanks.
/Christofer
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
2003 S430 4matic, 1966 230 SL, 2002 911 Turbo, 2003 Z71 Suburban, 2003 Range Rover , 2001 BMW 330Ci
I have a 2003 S430 4matic, and I experience the same problem as well. The volume disappears or almost mutes itself for about a second or two, and then comes back to normal. At times, the volume will all of a sudden go real loud. Go figure!
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
2003 S430 4matic, 1966 230 SL, 2002 911 Turbo, 2003 Z71 Suburban, 2003 Range Rover , 2001 BMW 330Ci
I forgot to mention one more thing. It does not matter whether you are using the radio or the CD player. Seems to do this a short while after you start the car. Please post if anyone is experiencing the same issues.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
MB S550 now; S63, CL600, S430 previously
Brief mute indicates voicemail messages...
On my car the brief mute of cd, radio, or cassette after starting indicates I have received a voicemail message. After I clear my voicemail the brief mute no longer occurs until I get a new message. I suggest checking your voicemail.
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Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 96
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From: NYC
2007 S550 Sport
You may need to go to the dealer and diagnose the Command system. Sounds like what Wimbush is talking about. In the command "circuit" it may be reading an interruption due to possibly a previously wired in-car phone system. The system is made to mute if it detects a phonecall. I initially had this problem after I added the CD changer. Brought in the car, they ran through the Command diagnostics, made the system recognize the changer and "unrecognize" (their words, not mine) the phone system. Haven't had the problem since.
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Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 80
Likes: 11
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
2024 GLE450e
I am having the same problem on my '03 S430. It does it even when the phone is not plugged in. I have taken it back to the dealer for diagnostics and they can't find a problem.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I have the same problem every time I fiddle with the NAV button. If I switch back and forth between the NAV button and the radio button before the engine is turned off. Once the engine starts, it mutes for a while then the sound comes out. It does not matter what button or how many buttons I press, the mute is there then resolves by itself. I guess there is some internal check loop that the software has to go through before it allows the signal coming out to the speakers.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,670
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From: Moon
marta
I sure do hope benz moves to some other company for the sound system in the next S-Class. I used to think Bose was alright..that was until I heard the Mark Levinson system in the SC430...now that's a sound system. 
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
2003 S430 4matic, 1966 230 SL, 2002 911 Turbo, 2003 Z71 Suburban, 2003 Range Rover , 2001 BMW 330Ci
I was informed today by the Service Advisor at my local MB dealership that they have a "flash update" to rectify the issues discussed here.
I have an appointment next week to get my car serviced and they will perform the update on the command center. I will keep you posted if it fixes the problem.
I have an appointment next week to get my car serviced and they will perform the update on the command center. I will keep you posted if it fixes the problem.
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: NYC
2007 S550 Sport
Lexus has had very good sound systems in their cars. I absolutely love the Nakamichi system in my SC300. I think it still sounds better than the Bose system in my S500 in 95% of the music I listen to. I agree the Mark Levinson system sounds beautiful. An audio publication referred it to buying a Mark Levinson system and getting a car thrown in the purchase. The German marques need to upgrade in the sound dept real bad. But I digress... hope the flash of the system works out the problems. Do they flash the system through a CD? If they do, I think that's what they did to mine.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 250
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From: SPAIN
2013 SL 350, ML 350 BT
Originally posted by mann
I have the same problem every time I fiddle with the NAV button. If I switch back and forth between the NAV button and the radio button before the engine is turned off. Once the engine starts, it mutes for a while then the sound comes out. It does not matter what button or how many buttons I press, the mute is there then resolves by itself. I guess there is some internal check loop that the software has to go through before it allows the signal coming out to the speakers.
I have the same problem every time I fiddle with the NAV button. If I switch back and forth between the NAV button and the radio button before the engine is turned off. Once the engine starts, it mutes for a while then the sound comes out. It does not matter what button or how many buttons I press, the mute is there then resolves by itself. I guess there is some internal check loop that the software has to go through before it allows the signal coming out to the speakers.
Regards
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 913
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From: Wilkes Barre Pa.
Fiscal Neo Con Express
hey guys,
i'm pretty sure that MB has switched to Harmon Kardon. i'm not sure if this is for all models or just the new E. for what it's worth my ML500 bose system seems to switch from mono to stereo frequently. it seems this is a common problem with this particular setup. i wouldn't doubt it has something to do with the placement of the antenna. car and driver recently had an article about automotive stereos and problematic antenna issues..plus how weak/strong todays recievers are. i think it was written by Patrick Bedard. in case anyone wants to do a search.
i'm pretty sure that MB has switched to Harmon Kardon. i'm not sure if this is for all models or just the new E. for what it's worth my ML500 bose system seems to switch from mono to stereo frequently. it seems this is a common problem with this particular setup. i wouldn't doubt it has something to do with the placement of the antenna. car and driver recently had an article about automotive stereos and problematic antenna issues..plus how weak/strong todays recievers are. i think it was written by Patrick Bedard. in case anyone wants to do a search.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 354
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From: Minneeeesoootah
Originally posted by S55inPA
hey guys,
i'm pretty sure that MB has switched to Harmon Kardon. i'm not sure if this is for all models or just the new E. for what it's worth my ML500 bose system seems to switch from mono to stereo frequently. it seems this is a common problem with this particular setup. i wouldn't doubt it has something to do with the placement of the antenna. car and driver recently had an article about automotive stereos and problematic antenna issues..plus how weak/strong todays recievers are. i think it was written by Patrick Bedard. in case anyone wants to do a search.
hey guys,
i'm pretty sure that MB has switched to Harmon Kardon. i'm not sure if this is for all models or just the new E. for what it's worth my ML500 bose system seems to switch from mono to stereo frequently. it seems this is a common problem with this particular setup. i wouldn't doubt it has something to do with the placement of the antenna. car and driver recently had an article about automotive stereos and problematic antenna issues..plus how weak/strong todays recievers are. i think it was written by Patrick Bedard. in case anyone wants to do a search.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: NYC Queens
1999 E430
Even though I don't have much of an experience with an S500 sound setup, I am guessing other then the control system (navigation etc.) it is no different from the '99 E430.
I have experience with both '00 Lexus GS Nakamichi and the '99 E430 Bose sound setups and I would have to disagree with many of the people on this issue. No matter how loud I listen to music on the Bose it always sounds crisp and clear, where as the Lexus Nakamichi has a lot of distortion at higher volumes.
I think the problem with the Mercedes isn't the system setup itself but the electronics that control it. Not the mention the horrible radio antenna they put on the W210.
I have experience with both '00 Lexus GS Nakamichi and the '99 E430 Bose sound setups and I would have to disagree with many of the people on this issue. No matter how loud I listen to music on the Bose it always sounds crisp and clear, where as the Lexus Nakamichi has a lot of distortion at higher volumes.
I think the problem with the Mercedes isn't the system setup itself but the electronics that control it. Not the mention the horrible radio antenna they put on the W210.
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
2002 S-430
I dont know how many of you know this but Mercedes system has some autosensing feature. When you are driving the volume will increase and when you come to a stop the volume will decrease. This is to help adjust for the road noise. May or may not be a problem for most of you! Just a thought.
Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 80
Likes: 11
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
2024 GLE450e
I have had the problem with sound disappearing on my '03 S430. After a few trips to the dealer, the dealer contacted MB and they acknowledged that this problem has been reported on some S Class cars. Currently, there is no update available to correct this problem, however MB is working on it.
