Command center
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14
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Mercedes S550 4matic
Command center
Hello
i have a S550 4matic
my heat and air comes on but I can’t control the temperature settings. My navigation doesn’t doesn’t work properly and my radio stay on even when the car isn’t on it has to be cut on and off manually, backup camera doesn’t work neither. The dealership told me it was the head command center which I replaced on my own and I still have the same issues. Once I replaced the head unit was I supposed to disconnect the battery for a certain amount of time so it could reset or is there a way I can reset the system so I can resolve this problem. Can someone please help with this issue I’m having.
thanks in advance
i have a S550 4matic
my heat and air comes on but I can’t control the temperature settings. My navigation doesn’t doesn’t work properly and my radio stay on even when the car isn’t on it has to be cut on and off manually, backup camera doesn’t work neither. The dealership told me it was the head command center which I replaced on my own and I still have the same issues. Once I replaced the head unit was I supposed to disconnect the battery for a certain amount of time so it could reset or is there a way I can reset the system so I can resolve this problem. Can someone please help with this issue I’m having.
thanks in advance
Super Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 671
Likes: 288
From: Omaha, NE
2007 S600
What he said. The COMAND system, radio, backup camera, climate controls, etc. are a collection of computers all communicating via a couple of data buses. You can't just replace a part like that in many cases; the part you replace will often need to be programmed to work in your car. My experience since owning an S-class... you're going to need several "tools" in your toolbox that you likely don't have.
If you're going to try to repair and maintain the car yourself, be prepared for a lot of time spent studying and learning, as well as some money and occasional (or frequent) frustration. Alternatively, find a good, friendly dealer or independent shop who won't screw you... it seems to vary widely by where you are.
Good luck! And no matter what the root cause of your problem is or the eventual outcome, be prepared to give your credit card a workout. These are amazing cars, but owning one is simply not cheap.
- Scan tool, like the iCarsoft MBII. This will let you read out DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes), and reset most. You can do some monitoring - like intake air temp, fuel trim, etc. It will NOT let you run diagnostic tests or perform actuations to test things like windows, air dampers, Airmatic or ABC, etc. It's useful to figure out what your car is complaining about and to reset codes, but not much else.
- Laptop running Xentry/DAS, and an adapter to connect it to your car. This will let you perform a wide range of tests and actuations, and is extremely helpful in diagnosing and fixing most mechanical or electromechanical things. For example, it will let you test and reset the dashboard air control wheels, or test your Airmatic or ABC suspension. and a lot more. You can buy these setups on line, or you can talk to a couple of forum members here (like @MBENZTECH) who can help you set one up. Figuring out how to use it is another matter. It's an incredibly valuable and really a necessary tool for doing anything but the most basic service on a Mercedes. Where it falls short is when you need to replace or re-program a control unit -- and there are dozens of them. For that you need...
- SCN coding. This requires a Mercedes-Benz login, which is part of a subscription which will cost several thousand dollars per year. If you replace, for example, your ABS control unit, the new one needs to be programmed to match your vehicle. You can't do that unless you have online access to do SCN coding. If you want to upgrade or even just re-load the software in your COMAND system, you'll need to be able to do SCN coding.
If you're going to try to repair and maintain the car yourself, be prepared for a lot of time spent studying and learning, as well as some money and occasional (or frequent) frustration. Alternatively, find a good, friendly dealer or independent shop who won't screw you... it seems to vary widely by where you are.
Good luck! And no matter what the root cause of your problem is or the eventual outcome, be prepared to give your credit card a workout. These are amazing cars, but owning one is simply not cheap.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 142
W221 S600, W220 S55 AMG Kompressor, W124 300E, W140 S320, W210 E3204M W164 ML320 Bluetec
What he said. The COMAND system, radio, backup camera, climate controls, etc. are a collection of computers all communicating via a couple of data buses. You can't just replace a part like that in many cases; the part you replace will often need to be programmed to work in your car. My experience since owning an S-class... you're going to need several "tools" in your toolbox that you likely don't have.
If you're going to try to repair and maintain the car yourself, be prepared for a lot of time spent studying and learning, as well as some money and occasional (or frequent) frustration. Alternatively, find a good, friendly dealer or independent shop who won't screw you... it seems to vary widely by where you are.
Good luck! And no matter what the root cause of your problem is or the eventual outcome, be prepared to give your credit card a workout. These are amazing cars, but owning one is simply not cheap.
- Scan tool, like the iCarsoft MBII. This will let you read out DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Codes), and reset most. You can do some monitoring - like intake air temp, fuel trim, etc. It will NOT let you run diagnostic tests or perform actuations to test things like windows, air dampers, Airmatic or ABC, etc. It's useful to figure out what your car is complaining about and to reset codes, but not much else.
- Laptop running Xentry/DAS, and an adapter to connect it to your car. This will let you perform a wide range of tests and actuations, and is extremely helpful in diagnosing and fixing most mechanical or electromechanical things. For example, it will let you test and reset the dashboard air control wheels, or test your Airmatic or ABC suspension. and a lot more. You can buy these setups on line, or you can talk to a couple of forum members here (like @MBENZTECH) who can help you set one up. Figuring out how to use it is another matter. It's an incredibly valuable and really a necessary tool for doing anything but the most basic service on a Mercedes. Where it falls short is when you need to replace or re-program a control unit -- and there are dozens of them. For that you need...
- SCN coding. This requires a Mercedes-Benz login, which is part of a subscription which will cost several thousand dollars per year. If you replace, for example, your ABS control unit, the new one needs to be programmed to match your vehicle. You can't do that unless you have online access to do SCN coding. If you want to upgrade or even just re-load the software in your COMAND system, you'll need to be able to do SCN coding.
If you're going to try to repair and maintain the car yourself, be prepared for a lot of time spent studying and learning, as well as some money and occasional (or frequent) frustration. Alternatively, find a good, friendly dealer or independent shop who won't screw you... it seems to vary widely by where you are.
Good luck! And no matter what the root cause of your problem is or the eventual outcome, be prepared to give your credit card a workout. These are amazing cars, but owning one is simply not cheap.
Super Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 671
Likes: 288
From: Omaha, NE
2007 S600
Yeah... location dependent. My SA is nice enough, but I don't think I can afford to establish a good enough rerelationship with her to get me any preferential treatment.
I've run into the same situation af a couple of clubs in the past...
I've run into the same situation af a couple of clubs in the past...
