2005E500

The navigation on our 08 S500 is no longer working. The following message is displayed:

"The system software has been updated. The map software must be updated now. Please insert the DVD with the map software now."

I can't find any disk form my user manual and I took the car to the dealer. They told me that they can't read the processor and diagnosed it as "internal failure of navigation processor" and will need an arm and leg to fix it. I'm puzzled since the message implied that it's looking for an updated map software. Is this related to updated maps with "bird's eye view" etc.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue? Thanks.

Diesel Benz

How did this happen? Did someone run the Telematics update with SDS?

Did you try to insert a maps update DVD?

If this happened unexpectedly on its own, then sounds like the HDD has failed and got corrupt data. This would explain why the dealer was not able to reach the unit with diagnosis tools.

The only dealer solution may be a new head unit (swap part could be reasonable).

2005E500

How did this happen? Did someone run the Telematics update with SDS?

Did you try to insert a maps update DVD?

If this happened unexpectedly on its own, then sounds like the HDD has failed and got corrupt data. This would explain why the dealer was not able to reach the unit with diagnosis tools.

The only dealer solution may be a new head unit (swap part could be reasonable).

This happened unexpectedly, went to start the car as usual, hit the Nav button and got this message. Where do you get the maps DVD? Our car didn't come with any DVDs. he dealer said DVDs came with older cars.

Dealer said they need to replace the hard drive. Radio, phone and everything else still works, just navigation is kaput.

steveb9771

Map DVDs never came with 2007 or newer S class vehicles. They maps DVD is used to upgrade to newer maps. A new maps DVD is issued about once per year. The DVDs are available for www.navigation.com who produces them or from many dealers. Did your dealer try to load a map DVD disk as a courtesy to you? If they didn't even try, I would find another dealer. The DVD is only used to load data to the hard drive and is then removed and no longer necessary.

Diesel Benz

If the dealer is able to change the HDD, that should not cost "too much" and should really solve the issue. But if you had the maps update DVD, you could try the update, I don't think you have anything to loose there.

steveb9771

Finding a dealer who is qualified to replace the HDD may be extremely difficult since the trend has been to only replace major units and I doubt many dealer service employees are trained in how to repair anything, they simply replace it.

You might ask dealers in your are if they do this type of work or can send your Comand unit to a repair shop. I don't know if your vehicle can be driven with the unit removed.

Another problem may be the availability of a replacement HDD. Most, if not all, disk drives manufactured in the last couple of years use the serial ATA interface. It is likely that our vehicles use the older interface.

You might want to investigate the availability of a unit from a junked vehicle. There are several companies that you can locate via Google.

Your dealer should be able to tell you the range of vehicle model years that are compatible with your vehicle.

xrayaz

I hate to say you may want to wait to do anything. I started to receive exactly the same message on my 08 S550 and no nav. I really never use the navigation and just left it alone since everything else worked fine (I did purchase a new DVD update disk that I could never get to work). After about 5 or 6 months lo and behold it started working. I slipped in the update disk and everything updated (took 1/2 an hour) and the navi is just fine. ??? maybe the system did not like the winters here in Arizona and likes the heat.
Michael in Arizona

Diesel Benz

That does not sound good. If it happened to my car, I would hardly be able to fix it your way. Our summer is hardly any warmer than your winter...

2005E500

Originally Posted by xrayaz
I hate to say you may want to wait to do anything. I started to receive exactly the same message on my 08 S550 and no nav. I really never use the navigation and just left it alone since everything else worked fine (I did purchase a new DVD update disk that I could never get to work). After about 5 or 6 months lo and behold it started working. I slipped in the update disk and everything updated (took 1/2 an hour) and the navi is just fine. ??? maybe the system did not like the winters here in Arizona and likes the heat.
Michael in Arizona

I thought about purchasing an updated maps DVD to see if it works but guess you tried it and it seemed like your NAV fixed itself. I'm in the same boat, i.e., don't use the nav except wife does and would like to get it working again for her.

I'll try another dealer next week to get a 2nd opinion since we'll be on the road this week, without NAV, lol.

2005E500

xrayaz - ding, ding, ding you get the winning prize!

I ignored replacing the HDD as suggested by my dealer and MBUSA since I felt the price was high. Today, for some unknown reasons, the NAV came back from the dead after 2 months!

wows500

I have the same problem today and exactly the same message popped up. It seems there is something really wrong as so many of us are having the same problem. I have the S550 2008. Is Mercedes forcing us to update the maps?

MBS430

I have the same exact message today from my 2008 S550.
Restart the engine and it works fine. This started about a month ago.

yes, it is strange that several of us having this same problem all almost-at-the-same time.

ImInPA

Hard drives fail. It would be great if there was an SSD option available. I would just replace the HD and get on with life. Does suck, but, the HD is the weak link in HD based navigation. I read somewhere that Hyundai and KIA are switching to SSD for their nave systems. Sucks that we have to follow the Koreans, but, they have a vested interest in quality right now.

MBS430

do you have info on changing just the HD?
or we need dealer to replace the whole command unit?

thanks

new550

Anyone know the type size brand etc of the hard drive ? A complete duplication should work if drive is 100% identical ?

Diesel Benz

A complete duplication is not possible except for the content of the HDD. The head unit may include the HDD serial number when checking a legit drive.

I have not seen anyone attempting a full copy, would indeed be useful to know if a full backup/restore to a new HDD would work without any issues with theft protection. If the present HDD is misbehaving, it would be time to take a backup, and it might still not be too late.

Hopefully someone shares his/her experience/knowledge on the topic.

MBS430

When the message
"The system software has been updated. The map software must be updated now. Please insert the DVD with the map software now."
displayed,

is it just the Navigation or the WHOLE command that does not work?

gapcobenz

Contact Becker Autosound in NJ. for the solution to faulty HDD.(201) 773-0976.

gzus

ive been having a similar problem for a while now no solution.....my command resets when turning on and the navigation side of the command stays on "Loading Navigation" but it never loads.........any solutions??

gapcobenz

The HDD in these HU is normally a Hitachi 20GB. I used the Samsung 30GB HDD for a while. Now when I repair these units I use an IDE to CF adaptor and fit a 32GB compact flash card. I clone a working HDD and no more problems. The HU reads navigation and other functions much quicker. With most navigation faults the HDD is the problem.

gapcobenz

Some info on the W221 HU. The HU cannot read a HDD larger than 32GB. There is also no serial number on the HDD, that resides in the Flash system of the HU. The HDD can be swopped from one HU to another without problems. There is also no security feature such as a pin number etc.. These HU can be swopped from one vehicle to another.
Sometimes when this is done the car getting a different HU may have to be reflashed at the dealer. I've only had this happen once since 2006.

Diesel Benz

Thanks for this very useful info. I assume we can enjoy more of this in the future.

gapcobenz

I will give support on the forum whenever possible but please remember that most of the info is under a Non Disclosure Agreement clause, so please forgive me if I don't reply to some enquiries.

MBArne

Did anyone manage to fix this issue? I also got this problem now
I was at Mercedes workshop in Berlin (Klaus Bechmann) and they could fix it for €4000 (!!). They would then swap the whole unit.
The unit cost was about €3000, so they recommended me to get a TomTom instead.

Thanks!

Nuru

I have heard there is a factory in Germany that specializes in recovering parts from wrecked MB vehicles, that might be a good place to look for parts cheap. I don't know where it is located or if it really exists, but I keep seeing people speak of it on other forums. If you find it, please let us know.