reverse camera not working
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 6
From: Atlanta GA
2011 gl450, 2008 s550, 2004 sl500
reverse camera not working
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
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
Last edited by elrover2006; Mar 14, 2024 at 10:34 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,344
Likes: 1,686
S500
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...
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...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 6
From: Atlanta GA
2011 gl450, 2008 s550, 2004 sl500
Thanks, I will look into it.
I decoded the vin and it came from the factory with option 218 REAR-VIEW CAMERA.
I decoded the vin and it came from the factory with option 218 REAR-VIEW CAMERA.
Last edited by elrover2006; Mar 14, 2024 at 01:27 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,344
Likes: 1,686
S500
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
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 6
From: Atlanta GA
2011 gl450, 2008 s550, 2004 sl500
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.
when I put it in reverse.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 6
From: Atlanta GA
2011 gl450, 2008 s550, 2004 sl500
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
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,344
Likes: 1,686
S500
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
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2008 s550
Resolved?
Hey ever get this resolved? I bought my s550 with a blank display screen. Replaced COMAND with exact model and the display now works. BUT there is no video tab and the backup camera is non existent. The car is equipped with a camera. Have you been able to figure this out?
Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 83
Likes: 32
From: Mount Vernon, NY
2011 S550 4matic, 2012 CLS550 4matic, 2021 GLA250 4matic, 2009 Maserati Quattroporte
Did you have to have the command unit programmed? Im assuming you changed the metal box with the cd changer? Not the actual screen?
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2026
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2008 S550 Base
When I got my 2008 s550 I would put it in reverse and the screen would flash the camera view for a split second then go black. I thought it was broken. Then one day I accidentally pushed the Disc/Radio button at the same time as putting it in reverse and suddenly it was working! Pushing it at the same time as shifting didn't really matter tho. The issue was I just didn't know that I needed to push a button to turn it on and off lol
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,344
Likes: 1,686
S500
when fitted to factory spec there is a menu in the cluster to swtich on or off the Rear camera - the camera can operate with this menu having been left uncoded
if you have the metal camera on an early car you can even have the camera operating going forward and off in reverse !!!! this happens when you switch the CGW from SW ending 1327 to 1427 - they fix is a small software update to the camera
if you have the metal camera on an early car you can even have the camera operating going forward and off in reverse !!!! this happens when you switch the CGW from SW ending 1327 to 1427 - they fix is a small software update to the camera
