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I am experiencing issues with Audio making a slight snap noise, trying to select audio function is a challenge and when using Blue tooth, I can hear the person I've called but they hear nothing from me.
I have done some quick troubleshooting but first in more detail the command control in AM/FM mode basically skips, when selecting the command is highlighted and then reverts back to what you were listening. Sometimes you get as far as the audio input list but it immediately defaults back where you started.
Once in awhile I am able to get all the way through to select AUX to listen to my Galaxy S6 if I cycle the on/off center console button a few times.
All other functions with the exception of radio-CD- etc.are working just fine. NAV has no problems, System Settings can be changed and so on, no problems there. I, like the other S550 folks are getting a click noise or speaker cut out if you will and this is across the entire audio platform. Bluetooth works in all capacities except the person at the other end of the call cannot hear you...period. I Have disconnected the truck/accessory battery for 5 minutes...No Joy! I can't see it being an amplifier issue with the command problems I have. Would it be safe to assume that in all likelihood it is the Voice Command Module? Does the software upgrade really fix all the problems that seem to be associated with Command? Any input will be appreciated. Thanks all!!!
I had all the same issues in my 2008 S550, plus the CD player would only play 45sec of a song and then freak out. Command would skip all over, voice command would not work at all, no one could hear me on the phone. After a lot of reading, study and work. I fixed them all with one item. The voice control module was bad. I found a new VCM on eBay, ($300), installed it. This fixed all the problems in my S550. Good Luck!
Thanks, I came up with the same conclusion after exhaustive research but it is always good to get an unbiased opinion, I appreciate your input. Great find on the VCM, I hope to be as lucky.
Thanks, I came up with the same conclusion after exhaustive research but it is always good to get an unbiased opinion, I appreciate your input. Great find on the VCM, I hope to be as lucky.
Thanks for this, but the question is do I need to reprogram a new VCM with the STAR system? I can get one off eBay, but I have no way to program it other than at the dealer. Is it plug and play?
May get lucky as luckieg did with ebay purchase but line 2 of install instructions (link above) require STAR to clear fault history and transfer stored data – see attachment.
May get lucky as luckieg did with ebay purchase but line 2 of install instructions (link above) require STAR to clear fault history and transfer stored data – see attachment.
Hmmmm. The ones on ebay aren't so cheap. About $450. And who knows if it works and for how long?? But it seems VCM failures are pretty rare since it's not discussed much. Kind of rolling the dice.
I have exactly this same issue. All audio sources make a slight "snap" or "tick" noise occasionally. Same sound in radio, PCMCIA, and CD. Sometimes the audio fades out entirely for a few seconds before fading back in. I bet this is caused by a louder "snap" that the radio is muting to "protect" itself.
Also, voice control is completely inoperative. The button does nothing. When I select "Start new individualization" under "Voice Control" in COMMAND it also does nothing.
So I suspect I have a bad voice control module.
Frankly, I don't care for this feature. I never used it in any car. Can I just bypass it with a fiber optic loop?
Otherwise I could replace the module with a used one. I see them selling on eBay for as low as $95 these days. Is the correct part 2218702092? Does it need to be programmed by the dealer with the STAR tool?
The replacement VCM arrived today and it snapped right in and completely fixed the "ticking" noise in the stereo. Plus, Voice Control works now too. I'd say this is a slam-dunk repair if Voice Control is inoperative and you're having the "snap" sound in the audio system with occasional drop-outs.
The part was $100 delivered from eBay. Part number A2218705787, which was not exactly the same as my car had. Note that the part should have some felt attached to it since the bracket hangs down and it could bang or rattle against the inside of the fender otherwise.
Replacement was fairly easy:
Remove the trunk floor by taking out two Torx screws
Remove the chrome lip rim by removing two push-type retainer clips and yanking the thing up, breaking the dozen trim panel fasteners from hell
Remove the Torx screw below the net on the driver's side and two more retainer clips, pop out the light (it's hot!) and pull the side trim away
Loosen three 10mm nuts and lift and remove the bracket holding the VCM
Swap the VCM and reinstall everything (except all the damn fasteners you broke back in step 2)
Give it a few minutes to initialize or whatever and you're good to go
As you can tell, I had a little issue with the white "trim panel fasteners". How the heck are you supposed to remove and reattach things connected to them? They're demons from hell.
Here are a few photos to help folks out removing the trunk trim and accessing the VCM.
Soooo.... Having read of this thread I have pulled the VCM out of my car. My car has had the snapping noises in the radio, issues with spinny knob being essentially impossible to use due to it jumping in and out of menus, that turned into COMMAND shutting down and restarting every minute or so.
Upon removing the VCM I'm pleasantly surprised at the spinny knob working perfectly + what are all these additional menus that are readily available? This is the first I have ever been able to access rear HVAC, additional menus for front climate, suddenly all the dynamic seat functions all work.
No audio or back up camera without the VCM, but I will order one up and see what happens!
Update:. Installed a $200 used VCM from California. Mercedes has new available in Fontana for $1500 so I passed on that! Upon installing VCM audio woke right up. All functions work. Stations easily tuned.... CD's will now play in the changer... Previously they would play five seconds and stop. No more snap! In audio. No more COMMAND rebooting every minute.
I did the procedure for voice control so now I can fire up that 2008 vintage cell phone and.... Oh. Wonder if it is even digital! Lol.
Last edited by JohnLane; 04-29-2019 at 11:31 PM.
Reason: Bulletin board software adds words I did not ask for!
Soooo.... Having read of this thread I have pulled the VCM out of my car. My car has had the snapping noises in the radio, issues with spinny knob being essentially impossible to use due to it jumping in and out of menus, that turned into COMMAND shutting down and restarting every minute or so.
Upon removing the VCM I'm pleasantly surprised at the spinny knob working perfectly + what are all these additional menus that are readily available? This is the first I have ever been able to access rear HVAC, additional menus for front climate, suddenly all the dynamic seat functions all work.
No audio or back up camera without the VCM, but I will order one up and see what happens!
Update:. Installed a $200 used VCM from California. Mercedes has new available in Fontana for $1500 so I passed on that! Upon installing VCM audio woke right up. All functions work. Stations easily tuned.... CD's will now play in the changer... Previously they would play five seconds and stop. No more snap! In audio. No more COMMAND rebooting every minute.
I did the procedure for voice control so now I can fire up that 2008 vintage cell phone and.... Oh. Wonder if it is even digital! Lol.
As long as you are rocking the Motorola V60s and newer you have E911. All other V60 models will not activate on CDMA Large carriers, but prepay will activate a TimePort. They don't care.
There is no coding for the VCM. It is updated through any Telematics discs that you use in the COMAND and it updates SDARS, Omega, DVD, GPS, Tuner/Amplifier, etc.
I was referring to the part about "what are these additional menus that are readily available?"
Menus for front and rear climate control to direct air for each seating position... Face, feet, mix ect.
Menus for audio that were previously unavailable.
Menus for Navigation
Basically every sub-menu was not available before.
This is car has been my first daily driver with Command. When it all works it is not at all akin to BMW's Idrive while the passenger attempts to tune the radio... Or do anything else!
Also.... With the dead VCM it would not allow back massages. This feature made the replacement of the VCM worthwhile.
I bump thee! Hi, I'm new to this forum but not new to MBZ's (E63, E320 Wagens) and a CL63 AMG (winter driver and otherwise cruise missile when the P cars aren't suitable - I guess I like them from Stuttgart)). I just picked up the CL and it only had 1-1/2 issues. The VCM (ordered and en route) and the seat massage function, due to the VCM (oddly enough). Thank to this thread I hope to have this sorted shortly. These kinds of things drive me nuts. I also ordered a new-ish (most recent - 2016) Navi disc. While one could argue that why not use Apple/Google maps, I live in Vermont and cell access is a problem in many areas.
Thanks boys and girls
Last edited by fast_freddy; 11-24-2021 at 01:19 AM.
I got a 2008 S550 second hand, so don't know the full history of the car.
I was having the same popping / snapping, but also had a number of other issues with the COMAND unit (no bluetooth, no backup cam, re-booting) so I replaced it.
After doing so everything started to work again, however, now am having the same issues mentioned in this thread with tracking ball going nuts (trying to select audio sources is a nightmare), won't play more than a few seconds of CDs, which wasn't happening before. Still have the snapping.
Tried replacing the VCM with used to no avail. While it could be another bad VCM, these issues only started when I replaced the COMAND unit. I've pulled the relevant fuses to reset for both COMAND and VCM, but still no joy.
FYI my VCM is at the rear of the trunk, not on the side.
Anyone run into this before or have any suggestions?
05-01-2016, 02:58 AM
