Android Auto on Merc E class C238 2019 has mind of its own

[BMAY529]

I am the recent proud owner of a lovely low mileage 2019 C238, having previously owned 2 x C207's. I purchased the car from MB and it has the Command system. At he time MB told me it did not have Android Auto but referred me to a third party supplier. That supplier initially said they would not supply Android Auto for my car as they found it unreliable. A few months later they told me they were happy to install it and did (USB connection). Initially it would work perfectly for a while and then, after a few miles, would just drop the connection. If I reconnected the phone it would restart Android Auto automatically and pick up any destination I had previously entered... then cut out again after a few miles. The supplier changed the cable in case that was the cause... no change. I have tried altering phone settings to see if any effect... but none... in fact Android Auto will now start automatically as soon as I connect the phone... but then, within seconds, will drop the connection and repeat this any time I connect. I have fiddled with the cables to check for loose connections and all there seems fine. The phone charges without interruption when connected. Needless to say Google Maps and any other apps I have used work perfectly on the phone.

My phone is a Galaxy S20FE SM-G780F/DS running Android 13. Is anyone aware of a list of advised Android Auto settings for my phone so I can eliminate that possibility? Any advice would be greatly received. Thanks in advance.

 

[Trickythemerc]

Try clearing the cache in your phone. Do a search for Samsung android auto connection problems. Mine had me wondering what was wrong for a bit before I sussed it.

 

[BMAY529]

An update: I noticed "Mercedes Me", while registered when I got the car, was not 'active', so, while I have never really used it, I decided to reactivate it.... and guess what... Android auto started automatically and ran perfectly for an outward journey I then took of about 20 miles. For the return journey home, again Android Auto loaded automatically but disconnected after a few minutes. This repeated a couple of times before it then continued to work perfectly for the remainder of the journey. It would seem "Mercedes Me" has to be active but there may be some other element not yet correct. I will continue to try it and report outcome.

 

[markjay]

Did the garage make sure that the COMAND unit had the latest firmware? It will require the garage to have a genuine STAR with active subscription.

 

[richard]

Get a new high quality cable and try that. 90% of problems are that or the phone needs a reboot.
R

 

[BMAY529]

An update: I noticed "Mercedes Me", while registered when I got the car, was not 'active', so, while I have never really used it, I decided to reactivate it.... and guess what... Android auto started automatically and ran perfectly for an outward journey I then took of about 20 miles. For the return journey home, again Android Auto loaded automatically but disconnected after a few minutes. This repeated a couple of times before it then continued to work perfectly for the remainder of the journey. It would seem "Mercedes Me" has to be active but there may be some other element not yet correct. I will continue to try it and report outcome.

A 2nd update: While Android Auto (wired connection) continues to load automatically it drops the connection within a few miles and when then repeatedly restarted it drops the connection each time within a few miles. If I have a journey destination set it will pick up that journey detail as if the connection had not dropped. That would indicate to me that it is running continuously and correctly on my phone and that the problem is in the connection through the car to the screen. I also note that the speed limit only occasionally appears on the Android Auto car screen. It always displays on the Command system maps and when running Google maps in the car.

While the supplier has replaced the cable I am still thinking of getting a new cable. Can anyone recommend a suitable high quality cable I can purchase online?

 

[Uky]

To me it sounds more of a cell phone coverage problem than a cable issue.
Since my Sony Xperia is too old to use the NFC pad in the center console, I installed
a cell phone holder with a USB connection that keeps the phone at about the
same hight as the digital dash (but not blocking any view). The car initializes the
connection whenever I plug the cell phone in. I can see the Android icon,
tha level of charge and the signal strength as received. The only problem I had
was to lift the console module up, routing the cable inside and then cutting a
large enough hole at the edge of the cup holder plastic and then connecting the
USB connector to the cars USB outlet in the center console.

If attempting such an installation, select a LHD holder instead of a RHD one.

(I have a LHD car but selected a RHD holder) but modified the clamp so that it could hold on
to the vent panel a bit further away from the dash.

 

[Alfie]

I am the recent proud owner of a lovely low mileage 2019 C238, having previously owned 2 x C207's. I purchased the car from MB and it has the Command system. At he time MB told me it did not have Android Auto but referred me to a third party supplier. That supplier initially said they would not supply Android Auto for my car as they found it unreliable. A few months later they told me they were happy to install it and did (USB connection). Initially it would work perfectly for a while and then, after a few miles, would just drop the connection. If I reconnected the phone it would restart Android Auto automatically and pick up any destination I had previously entered... then cut out again after a few miles. The supplier changed the cable in case that was the cause... no change. I have tried altering phone settings to see if any effect... but none... in fact Android Auto will now start automatically as soon as I connect the phone... but then, within seconds, will drop the connection and repeat this any time I connect. I have fiddled with the cables to check for loose connections and all there seems fine. The phone charges without interruption when connected. Needless to say Google Maps and any other apps I have used work perfectly on the phone.

My phone is a Galaxy S20FE SM-G780F/DS running Android 13. Is anyone aware of a list of advised Android Auto settings for my phone so I can eliminate that possibility? Any advice would be greatly received. Thanks in advance.

Is this a factory Apple CarPlay / Android Auto system or an add-on?

email me the vin to sales@comandonline.co.uk

 

[BMAY529]

An update: Despite all efforts the Android Auto wired connection remained unreliable so the supplier gave me an Apple Carplay wireless setup via a small third party box connected to the usb port in the centre console. I am glad to say that setup has worked perfectly for the past several months.