SL/R230: Horrible Static from Radio
#1
Horrible Static from Radio
I have had a totally random issue with the radio in my 06 SL500 as well as my 08 ML550. The problem is when I start the car, I get an unbelievably loud static sound that volume control has no effect on, I have to turn off the Command. This has happened on each of my cars before and there seems to be nothing I can find that triggers it. I can go for months with no issue and then one day there it is. This scares the crap out of me due to the sound level. It might happen again when I start the car but it may be fine for weeks until it happens again. Has anyone else had this happen and know what might be the problem?
#2
I've had the exact same thing happen in my 05 SL500. Same fix, shutting off command. It happens very rarely for me, maybe twice a year. Other than a me too, I can't offer any insight
Holding the power button for a few seconds fixes it.
Holding the power button for a few seconds fixes it.
Last edited by chad500sl; 09-18-2018 at 11:27 AM. Reason: Forgot to say how to fix
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saskwelch (09-18-2018)
#3
This also happens in other models that use the NTG 2.0 COMAND. My CLK550 did it, too. I would actually have to shut the ignition off completely to reset it. Once when it happened, I was a bit frustrated and grabbed the volume knob and just started turning it quickly up and down a few times and it stopped. If this were an old analog "radio" I'd say there was a dirty rheostat in the volume knob, but of course that's not the situation here. I suspect there is something in the COMAND unit or the amp that fails and causes this.
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Dr. Plastic (12-23-2022),
saskwelch (09-18-2018)
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saskwelch (09-20-2018)
#7
Yes, we experienced this as well a few times since we got the ‘06 sl500. I have the same questions...
My (un-) educated guess would be a software issue.
I did some digging and it appears to be possible to update the firmware. Can anyone confirm this and if so
how can I check firmware version?
How can I update the firmare to the latest?
thanks and good luck!
My (un-) educated guess would be a software issue.
I did some digging and it appears to be possible to update the firmware. Can anyone confirm this and if so
how can I check firmware version?
How can I update the firmare to the latest?
thanks and good luck!
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#9
The only thing that works is to turn the car off, open and close the driver door, wait until all lights on the dash turn off, and then re-start the car. This always seems to work. Simply turning Command on and off or rapidly turning the volume knob do nothing. The volume of the static I get is not affected by the volume knob, you can't turn it down. The big thing is that I have to open and close the door and wait for the car to go dark before re-starting. If you don't let it go dark first, the static will be there when you start the car and scare the crap out of you due to the volume.
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ml320x5 (01-29-2021)
#11
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 61
Likes: 13
From: Oklahoma
R230 2005 SL500, 1952 MGTD, 1973 MGB, 1998 ML320, 2002 X5
Just want to share. I too have this problem but only in cold weather, like 30's F. Only happened in the first cold morning start sometimes. I normally lower the volume to zero with my steering wheel. Drove about 10 mins or so without music then stop, go out and lock my car, do my bussiness. Came back, start up the car and everything back to normal...was planning to get to it someday. I thought my car, my Com unit is cold blood. May be something to do with solder joint or wiring connecting due to cold temperatue. Glad (Not really gald in that way) to find out it's not just me.
I haven't try the dark light trick yet. Will give it a try.
Edited: Confirmed it works in my case! Shut off engine, open n close door, wait for dash light goes off, restart.
I haven't try the dark light trick yet. Will give it a try.
Edited: Confirmed it works in my case! Shut off engine, open n close door, wait for dash light goes off, restart.
Last edited by ml320x5; 01-29-2021 at 11:25 AM.
#12
Mine did this for the first time this morning. The only real change is it got 21 degrees last night and she sat out in it. (vs the last 15 years in a garage).
Couldn't reset it. Volume control did not work. Changing from radio to cd did nothing. It did seem to trip some sort of protection circuit on the speakers.
Drove somewhere. Got it warm. Let it sit for a bit and now it seems to be back to normal.
I think this little princess doesn't like the cold.
Couldn't reset it. Volume control did not work. Changing from radio to cd did nothing. It did seem to trip some sort of protection circuit on the speakers.
Drove somewhere. Got it warm. Let it sit for a bit and now it seems to be back to normal.
I think this little princess doesn't like the cold.