Command Head Unit
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
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S550
Command Head Unit
2008 S550 Command Center has gone dark, started rebooting every couple of minutes then went completely dark and no sound. Dealer says Command Head unit needs replaced, Mercedes part number 221-870-59-95-80. New cost $1800 plus $900 install. I found a remanufactured unit through MB for $800, is this something I can install? Also saw some mention of upgrading, can a newer unit be installed to allow for newer iPhone connectivity?
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Joined: Aug 2014
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S500
u could fit the later NTG3.5 head unit - you'll need the cable and the later screen too
note
whilst the later unit officially does BT for phones its NOT able to do music streaming (but phone BT is also another module alongside with its own looms and fun fitting)
you could get a later split screen unit (to allow you to see maps and menus - whilst a passenger watches TV
you will need to code ANY unit to the options fitted on your car (for seat massage, HAVC etc.)
its quite likely the harddrive died, never go to a merc dealer to a get a Merc fixed - they have no idea about anything - just mortgage pricing
note
whilst the later unit officially does BT for phones its NOT able to do music streaming (but phone BT is also another module alongside with its own looms and fun fitting)
you could get a later split screen unit (to allow you to see maps and menus - whilst a passenger watches TV
you will need to code ANY unit to the options fitted on your car (for seat massage, HAVC etc.)
its quite likely the harddrive died, never go to a merc dealer to a get a Merc fixed - they have no idea about anything - just mortgage pricing
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 5
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S550
Would the hard drive cause the entire screen to go dark? Is a hard drive something I can replace?
note
whilst the later unit officially does BT for phones its NOT able to do music streaming (but phone BT is also another module alongside with its own looms and fun fitting)
you could get a later split screen unit (to allow you to see maps and menus - whilst a passenger watches TV
you will need to code ANY unit to the options fitted on your car (for seat massage, HAVC etc.)
its quite likely the harddrive died, never go to a merc dealer to a get a Merc fixed - they have no idea about anything - just mortgage pricing[/QUOTE]
note
whilst the later unit officially does BT for phones its NOT able to do music streaming (but phone BT is also another module alongside with its own looms and fun fitting)
you could get a later split screen unit (to allow you to see maps and menus - whilst a passenger watches TV
you will need to code ANY unit to the options fitted on your car (for seat massage, HAVC etc.)
its quite likely the harddrive died, never go to a merc dealer to a get a Merc fixed - they have no idea about anything - just mortgage pricing[/QUOTE]
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,322
Likes: 1,678
S500
.....the system is made up of multiple units
the hardrive and nav is inside the "comand" headunit (which is under the heater controls)
in the boot is the integral AMP with FM am tuner - this daisy chains via a fibre optic (MOST) link back to the comand unit and via any of these option toys that sit beside the Amp in the boot
sirius
linguatronic
TV
Phone BT I think hides up front
like anything Mercedes it was all developed intensively by highly proficient engineering teams and bent manufacturers, to fail to time.... ANY module on the MOST can give up and take out anything coming out of the speakers or showing on the screen,
you should first get some fibre optic link out connectors and one by one link out any component (one by one) from the MOST circuit (the orange fibre cable - forget as in leave connected the rest of the power and control wires) - of course you can't link out the AMP as then nothing can work
Any and all of the control modules can and do die.... but sirus and linguatronic seem the most common ones you can find a win when linking out from the MOST.... everything normal but NO noise anywhere and on FM radio No channel numbers or text, is always a dead AMP, which is the biggest failure point on any 221 (aside from V12 coils packs, V8 coils sticks, idler pulleys, Crank Position Sensors, suspension level sensor links, ABS sensors, Starter motors, Gearboxes, Massage seats, or, or .....) .. then comes the Comand fan and the harddrive failure....
the hardrive and nav is inside the "comand" headunit (which is under the heater controls)
in the boot is the integral AMP with FM am tuner - this daisy chains via a fibre optic (MOST) link back to the comand unit and via any of these option toys that sit beside the Amp in the boot
sirius
linguatronic
TV
Phone BT I think hides up front
like anything Mercedes it was all developed intensively by highly proficient engineering teams and bent manufacturers, to fail to time.... ANY module on the MOST can give up and take out anything coming out of the speakers or showing on the screen,
you should first get some fibre optic link out connectors and one by one link out any component (one by one) from the MOST circuit (the orange fibre cable - forget as in leave connected the rest of the power and control wires) - of course you can't link out the AMP as then nothing can work
Any and all of the control modules can and do die.... but sirus and linguatronic seem the most common ones you can find a win when linking out from the MOST.... everything normal but NO noise anywhere and on FM radio No channel numbers or text, is always a dead AMP, which is the biggest failure point on any 221 (aside from V12 coils packs, V8 coils sticks, idler pulleys, Crank Position Sensors, suspension level sensor links, ABS sensors, Starter motors, Gearboxes, Massage seats, or, or .....) .. then comes the Comand fan and the harddrive failure....
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
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S550
They are calling to replace the radio command unit, part is $1,700, would that be the entire unit, literally nothing works, no radio, no camera, no navigation, totally dark screen. I found a MB remanufactured unit and though tof installing myself.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 314
Likes: 35
From: New York
2010 CL550
Give Becker Autosound in saddle brook New Jersey a call. I believe the specialize in s550 Comand units and amplifiers, they might be able to help.
Last edited by COUPCONNOISSEUR; Sep 28, 2023 at 09:09 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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S500
1700 would be to replace just the comand unit - which probably isn't broken... if you have linguatronic link out and see if it helps
