Comand problem with navi.

[Norse]

Lately the Comand unit in my car (2005 W211) is no longer showing lat/long and no. of satellites. The position "bug" is way out in the ocean, and entering a adress to navigate to only results in the voice saying "Follow the arrows in the display" It looks to me as the navi unit no longer has contact with any satellites, but I don't know how to test this or how to maybe give the system a reset.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[richard]

As you say, this sounds like an antenna fault or a nav processor fault - the former being fairly common, the latter if there has been water ingress.

If you go to map, then display somewhere in there you can set what the screen shows at the bottom (ETA, etc) and I think long/lat also shows the number of satellites. If its a '-' then it can't see the antenna - which could mean a cabling fault or antenna fault. 0 means it can see antenna but is seeing no satellites (so an antenna fault)

Fuse 3 in the boot (the fusebox is upside down compared to the picture in the fusemap which does not tell you it is fuse 3) is the nav processor fuse, you should try pulling that for a minute or two first.

If that fails, remove the rear left boot carpet (see Mercedes Electronics upgrades, installation and retrofits for info on that) - There is a blue fakra in the back of the nav processor, follow the coax and there is a male/female wiclic, and then that goes off to the antenna on the roof. If you are seeing '-' check those connections. If the nav processor is rusty it has got wet (via the airvent behind the bumper and a careless jetwash) and that normally needs new nav processor :-( (do not buy from MB dealership, look at Comand Online Ltd for new ones or eBay for used ones, and talk to alfie here I know he keeps a spare used one)

If you decide its the antenna, then if its a saloon just put a new antenna under the parcel shelf and connect up to the wiclic connectors. If its an estate best replace the roof antenna as theres no great place to put an antenna near the rear. Use genuine MB part not a cheap aftermarket one.

Cheers

Richard

 

[Norse]

Thanks a lot Richard.

I will do some investigation on the antenna. The display shows '-' for lat/long and number of satellites.
I have a estate car, but no external antenna. Nothing on the roof or anywhere else.
Is the nav processor in the DVD reader unit in the rear?? If it is, I'll try to follow the coax from there and see if I can find any faulty connections.

Thanks again.

 

[richard]

Yes the DVD reader unit in the rear is the nav processor. On the estate undo the boot cover that hides the warning triangle, unscrew the 2 catches at the top which held the boot cover, and you can easily fold the felt away - you may have to remove the extra screw that holds the next trim in place (obvious what I mean when you look)

The GPS antenna (I think) is in the tailgate at the top, that top plastic panel that surrounds the rear window unclips.

PM me your chassis number and i'll post the part number of the GPS antenna.

R

 

[thegasman]

Hi there I too am having problems with sat nav in the Irish Sea Bristol Channel and always heading east. I have read articles to other members but feel need some experience recently became a proud owner of E320 CDI Avanguard estate 04 but have never been able to use set clock or in built Nav and phone also strangely the front cigarette lighter. The details of what I have Chas No WDB2116RA523687 e1* 2001/116 * 021 and I presume all the following was originally factory fitted except rear MB unit for tow bar not used.

Comand DVD head unit with Aux input in glove compartment

Audio Gateway in rear L/H wing could not get no but has two feral connections and multi plug connector with two orange fibre optic cables.

Map DVD drive Harman Becker A 220-820-60-85-004 Model 6059

Bosh Unit (on top not sure what it is) A 025-545-71-32 0-236-004-025

Europe DVD Comand APS Version 4.1 93/2002 211-827-815-9 B6-782--3395

A little history is that every thing audio and Movie DVDs works except vehicle correct location time front lighter and built in phone. The phone works well out of cradle but not in suture.

Now a wonderful MB centre not local to me rang me regarding an A class I had previously owned was due for an MOT. I explained it had been traded in for the on listed they said at no cost to me they would send a mobile engineer for a summer check. Taken back by this and restoring faith in MB (local dealer thinks we all have six figure incomes and poor customer support) sent out an extremely competent engineer as a citreous call as they.

After his 2.5 hr visit gave a report all ok except with his equipment said there is no GPS signal and quickly explained how and were things were meant to work. Cure was to take into local agent network link run in firmware and software checks and then most likely a cause a poor connection on GPS aerial easier to replace but have a good look around side panels rear window and tail door connections.

Local agent reply £125 to look and do not just check firmware or software. Last bill was £580 to replace a £60 switch on the A Class.

I have now checked all aerial and wiring connections I dare go into and that include removal of pillar covers and rear door panels, which revealed a unit on to the heated rear window (A211-820-96-26)? A strange thing noticed behind the map drive is a blue & greenish yellow wire with a female connector on not connected to any thing and can’t see where it could so I have tied it back to the main loom.

Other things tried are removal of fuses re-sets etc. Therefore before I spend any more time any money how does one replace this possible faulty GPS antenna. I purchased one of eBay and thought I would just plug into the one at rear of Map drive after removal of existing one. The one sent does not fit any connection, unless my worst fear total removal of head unit to fit it on rear of that. This is where I have started to loose the plot with part numbers components how too and not what to do.

Cheers Pete thegasman Dorset.

 

[jaymanek]

You can simply buy a GPS aerial of ebay as you say.. you will need one with the blue FAKRA connection.

 

[dickchailey]

Norse - Do what Richard says and pull the fuse for a while first!

 

[thegasman]

Hi there I too say a articles to other members but feel need some experience any help would be appreciated.

Itemes checked again fuse for Lighter underbonett all ok

Forgot to mention to previos post have a 6 cd changer fitted in dash as well works fine

Phone Cradel A 211 820 14 15

Cheers Pete thegasman.[New Member]

 

[thegasman]

Any help or advise to new member

Hi
I'm a new member who has recently become proud owner of 320 CDI estate. Only problem is in build sat nav need experianced advise I written a post to another thread giving details of car being located within Bristol Channel. [QUOTEComand problem with navi.][/QUOTE=thegasman;1040391] Cheers