I just purchased a 2008 S550 and the reverse camera is not working. Here are the symptoms

When I select the reverse gear, nothing is changing in the screen, no "check your surrounding", black screen or blue screen.
I checked the codes and there is no communication with the rfk module.
I checked the power and ground at the module and it's good. I also checked the signal coming from the reverse light and it is also good.
The 4 wires were cut at the left trunk hinge area, I soldered all of them but still no change.


I read that I should be able to turn the reverse camera on from the cluster in the assist area but it doesn't show that option.
I have the xentry unit so If you have an idea on how to fix it please let me know.
I forgot to mentioned that in the command screen, I don't have the video option at the top.

Thanks

 

in the cluster menu - you can chose IF you want it to come on when reverse gear is selected
if its a pikey aftermarket fitment, it might explain why there is no menu (to have it auto switch on), and why there is no diagnostic info

in the hidden dealer cluster coding choices is the option to select if the menu to chose if you want it on or not is displayed in the cluster - start there?

the wires snap on the harness to the boot lid and it stops working - its a design feature Mercedes build in to the cars...

 

Thanks, I will look into it.
I decoded the vin and it came from the factory with option 218 REAR-VIEW CAMERA.

 

in which case that menu should be there and as std its usually set to on - did you scroll down the display !

its all in the wrong language...

Aktivierung Rückfahrkamera automatisch mit R-Gang - Activation of reversing camera automatically with reverse gear

 

Is that in the engineering menu?

 

...it shows in 3 different coding menus (all German) - the way they went about the cluster options is something to behold

 

Then I will hunt for Aktivierung Rückfahrkamera automatisch mit R-Gang!

Thanks for your help.

 

I was able to get the message in the cluster that enable or disable the reverse camera but still no change in the command display
when I put it in reverse.

 

The camera and its hardware is now 15 years old. Maybe after so many years in the elements it needs to be swapped for a new one.

 

That make sense but if it was the case, shouldn't I see the screen change from let say radio to a black screen with the check the surrounding note?

Thanks

 

enable the feature in one menu, then find similar again three more times with slightly different wording


Aktuelle Menueinstellungen Default - KI variant Settings
Rückfahrkamera - vorhanden
Also where you want to
turn OFF second to last - Reiserechneranzeige bei 50% Reserve mit Symbol - Less than 50% remaining after low fuel light Show Red pump symbol - turn this crap OFF
and turn ON last - Tankinformation deaktiv - turn this ON

then camera turns up again in

KI menu activation
Aktivierung Rückfahrkamera automatisch mit R-Gang

and again in

KI dealer level - Cluster user config
Aktivierung Rückfahrkamera Speicher 1 automatisch bei R-Gang

and again in

KI factory level - Cluster user config
Aktivierung Rückfahrkamera automatisch bei R-Gang

 

Thanks, I will give it a try.

 

sounds like the wires snapped - so they turned it off to pretend it never had it - wot miles

check recent post - just last week a bloke said where his failed

 

That makes sense, used car lot...