COMAND Nav starting to die...any fix or must I replace??
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 223
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
COMAND Nav starting to die...any fix or must I replace??
The occasional "no disc" and "loading maps" messages are becoming more frequent, and ejecting and reloading the disc is taking more tries to work (if that ever made a difference, lol). Also, my GPS antenna occasionally fails and shows me driving alongside the highway I'm on, directing me to "re-enter highway" at next onramp!
Thoughts??
Thoughts??
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 917
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From: NOVA/DC
20' RCF, 18' NX, 09' E350, 07' Solara, 05' STi, 01' Ranger
Had this SAME problem with our command unit. I even went as far as to buy another command unit thinking ours was going bad. Turned out to be the OEM Merc disc... Disc was in MINT condition/zero scratches. Hardly taken out actually... just one day said no map/navi... Instead of doing the least expensive method of getting the disc first as said above I got a new command but then wondered why the disc would work in mine no problem... Found another disc as mine, bought it, and put it in our Command unit. Boom. Has been working fine for over a year.
No rhyme or reason. Have zero explanation as to why. But definitely try the disc option...
-Nigel
No rhyme or reason. Have zero explanation as to why. But definitely try the disc option...
-Nigel
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 223
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
I did try using my previous DVD, which is how I ruled out the disc. I've gone back and forth and either will work eventually, most of the time. The one I'm using - which is from the group buy I led - is the latest and the last for our cars.
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The DVD drive in my CLK was beginning to make noises and about once a month, it would fail to recognized the disc. I could usually take the disc out, let it cool off (and let the drive rest) for a bit and it would work again. I've heard of some people disassembling the unit and cleaning the laser lens to extend its life. Also, the DVD drive used is supposedly the same internal part as a computer, so I have heard of doing a transplant once you find the correct part number.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 223
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
Had this SAME problem with our command unit. I even went as far as to buy another command unit thinking ours was going bad. Turned out to be the OEM Merc disc... Disc was in MINT condition/zero scratches. Hardly taken out actually... just one day said no map/navi... Instead of doing the least expensive method of getting the disc first as said above I got a new command but then wondered why the disc would work in mine no problem... Found another disc as mine, bought it, and put it in our Command unit. Boom. Has been working fine for over a year.
No rhyme or reason. Have zero explanation as to why. But definitely try the disc option...
-Nigel
No rhyme or reason. Have zero explanation as to why. But definitely try the disc option...
-Nigel
Originally Posted by Rudeney
.....take the disc out, let it cool off (and let the drive rest) for a bit and it would work again.
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MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
Just a bit over 53K on my 7 year old CLK so it seems odd for this to fail, especially when combined with the GPS antenna issue, which happened only a few times, all on one trip, IIRC. I usually have the turn-by-turn directions muted and the split screen for an upcoming turn caught my eye, as I knew I still had a ways to go on the highway. There I was on the screen, driving ALONGSIDE the highway I was actually on, and I turned on the voice to hear "enter freeway, on the left".....
I have had this happen when I am driving on a road that has been altered (say lanes added or rerouted), but not updated in the map database. Most of the time, the actual location used to be off-road, so it ignores that and just puts the blue dots on the screen. But sometimes it picks up a side road or cross street and assumes I am on that, so it starts giving me directions to turn.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 223
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
The DVD drive in my CLK was beginning to make noises and about once a month, it would fail to recognized the disc. I could usually take the disc out, let it cool off (and let the drive rest) for a bit and it would work again. I've heard of some people disassembling the unit and cleaning the laser lens to extend its life. Also, the DVD drive used is supposedly the same internal part as a computer, so I have heard of doing a transplant once you find the correct part number.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 3
2005 CLK500 Convertible
If you buy a new the condition of the DVD drive will be unknown and since it is the same age can fail soon as well.
I had a similar problem with my Command. Eventually it stopped reading discs completly. I removed the Command, opened up the top (1 screw) and the DVD drive is just below the main board. 4 screws removes the board and 4 screws for the drive. I ordered a replacement drive for about $50.00 on line and it has been working like new ever since. Difficulty is about a degree higher to upgrading memory in a laptop.
This is the replacement drive I purchased:
DVD mechanism loader DV33M12A DV33M01A for Mercedes-Benz BMNW Group65.90-6981944 DVD ROM navigation system Chrysler Lexus
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Alpi...08.4.19.gKP5Ry
I had a similar problem with my Command. Eventually it stopped reading discs completly. I removed the Command, opened up the top (1 screw) and the DVD drive is just below the main board. 4 screws removes the board and 4 screws for the drive. I ordered a replacement drive for about $50.00 on line and it has been working like new ever since. Difficulty is about a degree higher to upgrading memory in a laptop.
This is the replacement drive I purchased:
DVD mechanism loader DV33M12A DV33M01A for Mercedes-Benz BMNW Group65.90-6981944 DVD ROM navigation system Chrysler Lexus
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Alpi...08.4.19.gKP5Ry
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 223
From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
If you buy a new the condition of the DVD drive will be unknown and since it is the same age can fail soon as well.
I had a similar problem with my Command. Eventually it stopped reading discs completly. I removed the Command, opened up the top (1 screw) and the DVD drive is just below the main board. 4 screws removes the board and 4 screws for the drive. I ordered a replacement drive for about $50.00 on line and it has been working like new ever since. Difficulty is about a degree higher to upgrading memory in a laptop.
This is the replacement drive I purchased:
DVD mechanism loader DV33M12A DV33M01A for Mercedes-Benz BMNW Group65.90-6981944 DVD ROM navigation system Chrysler Lexus
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Alpi...08.4.19.gKP5Ry
I had a similar problem with my Command. Eventually it stopped reading discs completly. I removed the Command, opened up the top (1 screw) and the DVD drive is just below the main board. 4 screws removes the board and 4 screws for the drive. I ordered a replacement drive for about $50.00 on line and it has been working like new ever since. Difficulty is about a degree higher to upgrading memory in a laptop.
This is the replacement drive I purchased:
DVD mechanism loader DV33M12A DV33M01A for Mercedes-Benz BMNW Group65.90-6981944 DVD ROM navigation system Chrysler Lexus
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Alpi...08.4.19.gKP5Ry
http://www.mercupgrades.com/Comand%2...rticle-20.html
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 3
2005 CLK500 Convertible
I have attached a pic of the version of the Command that I have.
The way I did it was much easier. It took under half hr. working slowly on my kitchen tabke to change out the drive.
First I took off the top, one screw on the back edge.
Then inside is the main board. 4 screws and a few connectors just like in a computer. Just carefully disconnect them. They are different sizes and polarzed so you can't insert them incorrecly.
Lift off the board and the drive is right below. One of the connectors you removed from the main board is the one for the drive.
There are 4 screws, one in each corner of the drive, accessable through access holes in the top of the drive. Unscrew them, angle the drive out.
Reverse to install the new drive.
The way I did it was much easier. It took under half hr. working slowly on my kitchen tabke to change out the drive.
First I took off the top, one screw on the back edge.
Then inside is the main board. 4 screws and a few connectors just like in a computer. Just carefully disconnect them. They are different sizes and polarzed so you can't insert them incorrecly.
Lift off the board and the drive is right below. One of the connectors you removed from the main board is the one for the drive.
There are 4 screws, one in each corner of the drive, accessable through access holes in the top of the drive. Unscrew them, angle the drive out.
Reverse to install the new drive.
