Strange command issue
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2026
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W221 S320L, W221 S500 AMG
Strange command issue
Hello guys,
I have strange command issue
From when I bought this car, I have tried to enter "vehicle" settings, in command screen, and I can't change anything, as when I enter this, takes around 1-3-5 secs, and command reboots itself, no need to change anything, just entering this.
That happens when engine is on, if I try with key in position 1, it seems to take a little bit longer, and I can try and change something, but then it just reboots again, and doesn't save settings. With date and time happens same thing.
Also I have to say, that car is equipped with rear screens, CD player and 2x aux inputs,
Command in front also doesn't read any disk, in the rear it does, and i can play music from the rear disk, on the front command.
Car is 2008, NTG3.0, I have also Xentry, DAS, vediamo (all passthru) and don't get any fault code.
Car is european.
Thanks in advance guys!!
I have strange command issue
From when I bought this car, I have tried to enter "vehicle" settings, in command screen, and I can't change anything, as when I enter this, takes around 1-3-5 secs, and command reboots itself, no need to change anything, just entering this.
That happens when engine is on, if I try with key in position 1, it seems to take a little bit longer, and I can try and change something, but then it just reboots again, and doesn't save settings. With date and time happens same thing.
Also I have to say, that car is equipped with rear screens, CD player and 2x aux inputs,
Command in front also doesn't read any disk, in the rear it does, and i can play music from the rear disk, on the front command.
Car is 2008, NTG3.0, I have also Xentry, DAS, vediamo (all passthru) and don't get any fault code.
Car is european.
Thanks in advance guys!!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 492
Likes: 182
2006 W221 S500L M273
Troubleshooting
1. Full soft reset: Ignition pos 2 (engine off), hold COMAND volume knob 20-30s until logo appears (repeat 3x). Test settings immediately.
2. Battery reset: Disconnect neg battery 20-30 mins; clears RTC/date glitches common in NTG3.
3. Engineering Mode: Key off → hold MUTE + eject right + #1 preset → enter *CUPdate (scroll diagnostics for “MOST ring broken” or CD errors). from prior
Targeted Fixes
1. Firmware check/update: Xentry → COMAND → “Identify” shows version; update via DVD (NTG3 VP 08/2010+ fixes date loops). Vediamo script: disable rear changer/screens temporarily (SF.CUP variant coding).
2. Front drive swap: OEM A/A90x laser (~€80 used); rear bypassing confirms if MOST overload.
3. Common culprit: EZS ignition relay or SAM rear fuse #159 (30A)—reseat first.
1. Full soft reset: Ignition pos 2 (engine off), hold COMAND volume knob 20-30s until logo appears (repeat 3x). Test settings immediately.
2. Battery reset: Disconnect neg battery 20-30 mins; clears RTC/date glitches common in NTG3.
3. Engineering Mode: Key off → hold MUTE + eject right + #1 preset → enter *CUPdate (scroll diagnostics for “MOST ring broken” or CD errors). from prior
Targeted Fixes
1. Firmware check/update: Xentry → COMAND → “Identify” shows version; update via DVD (NTG3 VP 08/2010+ fixes date loops). Vediamo script: disable rear changer/screens temporarily (SF.CUP variant coding).
2. Front drive swap: OEM A/A90x laser (~€80 used); rear bypassing confirms if MOST overload.
3. Common culprit: EZS ignition relay or SAM rear fuse #159 (30A)—reseat first.
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S500
time and date can't be changed - you need to update its brain after a 2019 WNRO event where all satellites updated themselves to a new world your car doesn't yet understand - make own disc from files on this w221 forum - I would try this after you have things behaving
DVD player not behaving likely related to misuse - you aren't really expected to use it - keep for maint only !!!
comand being odd could be its way out of date software still running early buggy software - but I doubt that's the issue you really face
internal hard drive failing possible
overheating and having a melt down possible ,
DVD player not behaving likely related to misuse - you aren't really expected to use it - keep for maint only !!!
comand being odd could be its way out of date software still running early buggy software - but I doubt that's the issue you really face
internal hard drive failing possible
overheating and having a melt down possible ,
Last edited by BOTUS; Apr 26, 2026 at 02:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 8
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W221 S320L, W221 S500 AMG
time and date can't be changed - you need to update its brain after a 2019 WNRO event where all satellites updated themselves to a new world your car doesn't yet understand - make own disc from files on this w221 forum - I would try this after you have things behaving
DVD player not behaving likely related to misuse - you aren't really expected to use it - keep for maint only !!!
comand being odd could be its way out of date software still running early buggy software - but I doubt that's the issue you really face
internal hard drive failing possible
overheating and having a melt down possible ,
DVD player not behaving likely related to misuse - you aren't really expected to use it - keep for maint only !!!
comand being odd could be its way out of date software still running early buggy software - but I doubt that's the issue you really face
internal hard drive failing possible
overheating and having a melt down possible ,
I have S500, same model, and Command works perfectly including date and time, without this update. Somewhere in the time it just started working normally and that's it.
Do you have any instructions to replace hard drive and solve overheating? As I have my S500 donor, I could clone hard drive from it, but I am not very sure how to do it exactly
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
W221 S320L, W221 S500 AMG
time and date can't be changed - you need to update its brain after a 2019 WNRO event where all satellites updated themselves to a new world your car doesn't yet understand - make own disc from files on this w221 forum - I would try this after you have things behaving
DVD player not behaving likely related to misuse - you aren't really expected to use it - keep for maint only !!!
comand being odd could be its way out of date software still running early buggy software - but I doubt that's the issue you really face
internal hard drive failing possible
overheating and having a melt down possible ,
DVD player not behaving likely related to misuse - you aren't really expected to use it - keep for maint only !!!
comand being odd could be its way out of date software still running early buggy software - but I doubt that's the issue you really face
internal hard drive failing possible
overheating and having a melt down possible ,
I have S500, same NTG3 System, which works perfectly, including date and time.
Do you have any instructions on replacing the hard drive, and solving the overheating? I am not very sure on how to do it.
Thanks!
Troubleshooting
1. Full soft reset: Ignition pos 2 (engine off), hold COMAND volume knob 20-30s until logo appears (repeat 3x). Test settings immediately.
2. Battery reset: Disconnect neg battery 20-30 mins; clears RTC/date glitches common in NTG3.
3. Engineering Mode: Key off → hold MUTE + eject right + #1 preset → enter *CUPdate (scroll diagnostics for “MOST ring broken” or CD errors). from prior
Targeted Fixes
1. Firmware check/update: Xentry → COMAND → “Identify” shows version; update via DVD (NTG3 VP 08/2010+ fixes date loops). Vediamo script: disable rear changer/screens temporarily (SF.CUP variant coding).
2. Front drive swap: OEM A/A90x laser (~€80 used); rear bypassing confirms if MOST overload.
3. Common culprit: EZS ignition relay or SAM rear fuse #159 (30A)—reseat first.
1. Full soft reset: Ignition pos 2 (engine off), hold COMAND volume knob 20-30s until logo appears (repeat 3x). Test settings immediately.
2. Battery reset: Disconnect neg battery 20-30 mins; clears RTC/date glitches common in NTG3.
3. Engineering Mode: Key off → hold MUTE + eject right + #1 preset → enter *CUPdate (scroll diagnostics for “MOST ring broken” or CD errors). from prior
Targeted Fixes
1. Firmware check/update: Xentry → COMAND → “Identify” shows version; update via DVD (NTG3 VP 08/2010+ fixes date loops). Vediamo script: disable rear changer/screens temporarily (SF.CUP variant coding).
2. Front drive swap: OEM A/A90x laser (~€80 used); rear bypassing confirms if MOST overload.
3. Common culprit: EZS ignition relay or SAM rear fuse #159 (30A)—reseat first.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
W221 S320L, W221 S500 AMG
1
time and date can't be changed - you need to update its brain after a 2019 WNRO event where all satellites updated themselves to a new world your car doesn't yet understand - make own disc from files on this w221 forum - I would try this after you have things behaving
DVD player not behaving likely related to misuse - you aren't really expected to use it - keep for maint only !!!
comand being odd could be its way out of date software still running early buggy software - but I doubt that's the issue you really face
internal hard drive failing possible
overheating and having a melt down possible ,
DVD player not behaving likely related to misuse - you aren't really expected to use it - keep for maint only !!!
comand being odd could be its way out of date software still running early buggy software - but I doubt that's the issue you really face
internal hard drive failing possible
overheating and having a melt down possible ,
I have another S500 W221, with the NTG 3.0 System, could be used as a donor for the hard drive.
Do you have any instructions on how to replace hard drive and solve the overheating?
Thanks!
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
W221 S320L, W221 S500 AMG
How do I change the harddrive? I have S500 which I could use for cloning OS, but I am not quite sure how to
More exactly, where I can find an image to reinstall it, my S500 doesnt have same extras (codings) as my S320 does, would it work anyway?
More exactly, where I can find an image to reinstall it, my S500 doesnt have same extras (codings) as my S320 does, would it work anyway?
Last edited by IllegalAMG; Apr 27, 2026 at 12:03 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 1,672
S500
the comand must come out (8 screws) note corners fold out of plastic trim to see 4 - then 4 self tapper type screws on the comand - you will likely destroy leather with razor edges and retained screws - use thick towels and lots of care - and when fitting it goes in slightly uphill !!!
the drive is inside - I guess you'll need to disassemble - the later NTG3.5 has it own removable drive caddy making life easy - you could use the S500 as a clone (if its the same era software) then will be the same just some coding tweaks to sort out (easy with Xentry) it should get you going
check the clock fix post here - it has the actual info to get at the secret eng menu of a NTG3.0
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post8468441
the drive is inside - I guess you'll need to disassemble - the later NTG3.5 has it own removable drive caddy making life easy - you could use the S500 as a clone (if its the same era software) then will be the same just some coding tweaks to sort out (easy with Xentry) it should get you going
check the clock fix post here - it has the actual info to get at the secret eng menu of a NTG3.0
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post8468441
Last edited by BOTUS; Apr 27, 2026 at 05:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
W221 S320L, W221 S500 AMG
Botus,
What do you mean with “same era software”?
Both are NTG3, just each car has different codings, but as far as i know, this doesn’t matter.
Altought S500 is early 2006 (one of the first card, CoC says november 2005), and S320 is 2008-2009 (pre-facelift anyway)
I have ordered materials to swapping into an SSD, according to a thread in this same forum, in 2 or 3 weeks i’ll post an update
Thanks!
What do you mean with “same era software”?
Both are NTG3, just each car has different codings, but as far as i know, this doesn’t matter.
Altought S500 is early 2006 (one of the first card, CoC says november 2005), and S320 is 2008-2009 (pre-facelift anyway)
I have ordered materials to swapping into an SSD, according to a thread in this same forum, in 2 or 3 weeks i’ll post an update
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 1,672
S500
Botus,
What do you mean with “same era software”?
Both are NTG3, just each car has different codings, but as far as i know, this doesn’t matter.
Altought S500 is early 2006 (one of the first card, CoC says november 2005), and S320 is 2008-2009 (pre-facelift anyway)
I have ordered materials to swapping into an SSD, according to a thread in this same forum, in 2 or 3 weeks i’ll post an update
Thanks!
What do you mean with “same era software”?
Both are NTG3, just each car has different codings, but as far as i know, this doesn’t matter.
Altought S500 is early 2006 (one of the first card, CoC says november 2005), and S320 is 2008-2009 (pre-facelift anyway)
I have ordered materials to swapping into an SSD, according to a thread in this same forum, in 2 or 3 weeks i’ll post an update
Thanks!
there were many NTG3.0 units, (I meant don't try NTG3.5 or a Japanese Mkt thing, nor a CL500 / CL550, which is another slight change in comand unit software) - other than that I believe the software update is the same for a given Mkt e.g. Europe is one vs USA another set of files
its not very likley you'll find an image randomly amongst users / the internet that has the exact coding on one car vs another - so you'll need to tweak it anyway
you would want the new setup to be running the last (late 2008 update) that gets 3 D bird's eye mapping choice and traffic working for USA
then you fix the time
Last edited by BOTUS; Apr 28, 2026 at 12:41 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 8
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W221 S320L, W221 S500 AMG
Good night guys!
Today arrived at home, msata SSD, IDE to mSata adapter, and so.
Cloned S500 drive, and uploaded to S320L msata,
Tweak in xentry codings, rear a/c, and so, everything working as before: Navigation fully working, audio working (except for dvd, still not reading, unknown format), video working, and,
vehicle settings, same symptom as before, when i enter the menu, it hard resets, and looses memory (Audio EQ and TA). I'm still not able to change date, time, or any vehicle setting such as welcome lighting.
I do feel a difference, in loading times, zoom in/out faster... But we still have the before fault
Also, when cloning drives, S500 did have some unreadable segments, the program said, and was quite noisy. S320L one was dead silent, I obviously felt vibration from the spining, and did not have any unreadable segment. Speed was 5Mb/s~ in S500 one, around 25Mb/s~ in S320L one. Maybe drive was not problem?
Any suggestions?
Today arrived at home, msata SSD, IDE to mSata adapter, and so.
Cloned S500 drive, and uploaded to S320L msata,
Tweak in xentry codings, rear a/c, and so, everything working as before: Navigation fully working, audio working (except for dvd, still not reading, unknown format), video working, and,
vehicle settings, same symptom as before, when i enter the menu, it hard resets, and looses memory (Audio EQ and TA). I'm still not able to change date, time, or any vehicle setting such as welcome lighting.
I do feel a difference, in loading times, zoom in/out faster... But we still have the before fault
Also, when cloning drives, S500 did have some unreadable segments, the program said, and was quite noisy. S320L one was dead silent, I obviously felt vibration from the spining, and did not have any unreadable segment. Speed was 5Mb/s~ in S500 one, around 25Mb/s~ in S320L one. Maybe drive was not problem?
Any suggestions?
Last edited by IllegalAMG; May 7, 2026 at 02:36 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 1,672
S500
I know Time and Date is not the big problem - but you are NOT reading the above posts correctly - on W221s with Nav, the time and date is automatic - no settings you change can be stored - update the system - if the DVD drive is dead update the 320 and clone that unbroken drive ?
check the clock fix post here - it has the actual info on making an update CD and how to get at the secret eng menu of a NTG3.0
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post8468441
check the clock fix post here - it has the actual info on making an update CD and how to get at the secret eng menu of a NTG3.0
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post8468441
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
W221 S320L, W221 S500 AMG
Hello guys!
After doing the clock fix, still no joy. I have found a unit in UK for 180€~, so I have decided to just swap it.
After making coding with DAS, everything is working as intended.
Thanks for the help BOTUS!
After doing the clock fix, still no joy. I have found a unit in UK for 180€~, so I have decided to just swap it.
After making coding with DAS, everything is working as intended.
Thanks for the help BOTUS!
