DAB 'Device Unavailable' Message
- Thread starter hbentley1990
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- dab device unavailable
I am having this DAB 'device unavailable' issue frequently, every few minutes or so. I called MB Brooklands to book it in and they will not accept the booking saying it is a signal matter and not related to the car's hardware.
Mentioning that my wife's car has no issues with DAB fell on deaf ears.
What to do?
Mentioning that my wife's car has no issues with DAB fell on deaf ears.
What to do?
I don't know for sure, but expect to have to pay for the firmware update (and the risk associated that the unit may fail during a firmware update). (And actually, even with Mercedes Tier 1 warranty that only covers hardware failure according to my dealer, which is why I didn't leave them to update the firmware in my car to the latest to see if that worked (I did it, and it doesnt)).
Richard
gbjeppm
MB Enthusiast
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Currently sitting at MB Brooklands, so recognition that the "Device Unavailable" issue is a problem, thought to be caused by changes to the DAB network, which is causing the device to behave like this.
No fix yet, and no timeline on when there will be one, but a fix is expected.
It was also stated that MB are not the only manufacturer being impacted by changes to the Network, not so sure about that.
I am told that when the fix comes, it will be done under warranty, as I pointed it out before the warranty expired.
Hope that helps a few people.
No fix yet, and no timeline on when there will be one, but a fix is expected.
It was also stated that MB are not the only manufacturer being impacted by changes to the Network, not so sure about that.
I am told that when the fix comes, it will be done under warranty, as I pointed it out before the warranty expired.
Hope that helps a few people.
andrewmatthes
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Thanks Matt, that's really useful. Keep us posted.
Hi
GLA220, 2015
I have this problem. 2 weeks ago MB Epsom did a software upgrade and I think it made it worse. DAB cuts out for about 5 secs every 30 secs most of the time, although sometimes it will work OK for the first hour. I told MB Epsom they had made things worse and they said the problem was because a satellite had gone wrong and they could do nothing until it was fixed.
I was sure this was total tosh to get me off their backs - a bit if surfing informs that a US satellite did get taken out of commission and so DAB was down for 2 hours, on 26th January and new satellites had now taken over - not really likely to be the cause. For info - I understand that GPS Satellites are used to coordinate the signals from the transmitting stations.
A possible thread I have seen suggests that Mercedes set up cars for LBand which is what DAB broadcast on in Germany, but the UK uses BandIII. I do not know if this is either correct or a suitable fix, it also requires using a different aerial.
I will be speaking to MB in Epsom tomorrow and will report back (but I don't expect much joy)
ppitt357
GLA220, 2015
I have this problem. 2 weeks ago MB Epsom did a software upgrade and I think it made it worse. DAB cuts out for about 5 secs every 30 secs most of the time, although sometimes it will work OK for the first hour. I told MB Epsom they had made things worse and they said the problem was because a satellite had gone wrong and they could do nothing until it was fixed.
I was sure this was total tosh to get me off their backs - a bit if surfing informs that a US satellite did get taken out of commission and so DAB was down for 2 hours, on 26th January and new satellites had now taken over - not really likely to be the cause. For info - I understand that GPS Satellites are used to coordinate the signals from the transmitting stations.
A possible thread I have seen suggests that Mercedes set up cars for LBand which is what DAB broadcast on in Germany, but the UK uses BandIII. I do not know if this is either correct or a suitable fix, it also requires using a different aerial.
I will be speaking to MB in Epsom tomorrow and will report back (but I don't expect much joy)
ppitt357
So I spoke to MB Epsom and got the standard "broadcasters are upgrading their systems". As this excuse does;t make sense to me (surely if they are upgrading the system would not work, not cut out every minute or so). So I quizzed Omid (as per my message above) and he got stumped, suggested that Richard was the expert and he would get Richard to call me.
Unfortunately he couldn't speak to the mythical Richard (even though they both work at MB Epsom) so I am promised a call tomorrow.
I'll let you all know
Unfortunately he couldn't speak to the mythical Richard (even though they both work at MB Epsom) so I am promised a call tomorrow.
I'll let you all know
Thanks, I am sure there is more to this than "broadcasters are upgrading their systems". For instance, why does my son's Ford DAB and my wife's Seat DAB work perfectly?
My 2014 E-Class is in tomorrow so that they can "gather some info" on the problem. The only reason I am bothered to do this is so that the issue is logged for when the fix finally arrives.
My 2014 E-Class is in tomorrow so that they can "gather some info" on the problem. The only reason I am bothered to do this is so that the issue is logged for when the fix finally arrives.
Yep still having issues in my C-Class. My friend has the same issue with his E-Class. On top of this my brothers Toyota has the same issue.
So maybe it isn't Mercedes specific.
Any updates from anyone would be lovely, but for now just using FM radio and wow is it different!!!
So maybe it isn't Mercedes specific.
Any updates from anyone would be lovely, but for now just using FM radio and wow is it different!!!
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In terms of programming, or the better audio quality of FM?
Red C220
MB Enthusiast
Put both ours back to FM as I'm fed up with the breaks in broadcasts.
Fingers crossed they sort out a fix for this.
Fingers crossed they sort out a fix for this.
I have had mine back in FM mode for nearly a week. Quality is pretty damn good IMHO; not missing DAB too much save for those stations unavailable on FM. I can make do whilst MB sort out a fix as long as its not months.
In terms of quality. Certainly FM is louder, and a lot better for talk radio stations, but for music DAB is hands down the winner.
Not a lot we can do till there is a fix. It's been months already though
DAB Device Unavailable
Hi all
OK, so I have now managed to speak to Richard the DAB "expert" at MB Epsom. He says that DAB now has an extra multiplexer to allow for more stations and we are getting the device unavailable message/cutout when the radio scans and finds more than 100 stations. Apparently this is only ann issue for cars fitted with NTG 45. This product is compatible with various cars so COULD affect the following if you have it fitted:
Compatibility
Compatible to Mercedes Benz vehicles gerneration NTG4.5 with Comand Online or Audio20 (also with Becker MapPilot) with 4pin HSD LVDS connector on the monitor.
Comand Online (SD-card slot below ON button) are used inter alia in the following vehicles:
- A-class (W176) from 07/2012
- B-class (W246) from 11/2011 til about end of 2014
- C-class (W204) from 03/2011
- C-class Coupe (C204) from 06/2011
- CLA-Coupe (C117) from 01/2013 til about 09/2014
- CLS-Coupe (C218) from 06/2011
- E-class (S/W212) from 06/2011 til about 10/2014
- E-class Coupe (C207) from 06/2011
- G-Model (G463) from 07/2012
- GL-class (X166) from 11/2012
- GLA-class (X156) from 09/2013
- GLK-class (X204) from 07/2012
- ML-class (W166) from 11/2011
- SLK-class (R172) from 03/2011
- SL-class (R231) from 2012
MB are working on a fix for this issue but have not found one yet.
This seems plausible but it would be good to know if anyone is having issues without NTG45 fitted.
Can it really be something that is that hard to fix?
Hi all
OK, so I have now managed to speak to Richard the DAB "expert" at MB Epsom. He says that DAB now has an extra multiplexer to allow for more stations and we are getting the device unavailable message/cutout when the radio scans and finds more than 100 stations. Apparently this is only ann issue for cars fitted with NTG 45. This product is compatible with various cars so COULD affect the following if you have it fitted:
Compatibility
Compatible to Mercedes Benz vehicles gerneration NTG4.5 with Comand Online or Audio20 (also with Becker MapPilot) with 4pin HSD LVDS connector on the monitor.
Comand Online (SD-card slot below ON button) are used inter alia in the following vehicles:
- A-class (W176) from 07/2012
- B-class (W246) from 11/2011 til about end of 2014
- C-class (W204) from 03/2011
- C-class Coupe (C204) from 06/2011
- CLA-Coupe (C117) from 01/2013 til about 09/2014
- CLS-Coupe (C218) from 06/2011
- E-class (S/W212) from 06/2011 til about 10/2014
- E-class Coupe (C207) from 06/2011
- G-Model (G463) from 07/2012
- GL-class (X166) from 11/2012
- GLA-class (X156) from 09/2013
- GLK-class (X204) from 07/2012
- ML-class (W166) from 11/2011
- SLK-class (R172) from 03/2011
- SL-class (R231) from 2012
MB are working on a fix for this issue but have not found one yet.
This seems plausible but it would be good to know if anyone is having issues without NTG45 fitted.
Can it really be something that is that hard to fix?
Red C220
MB Enthusiast
That ties in as I have each of the above with problems.
andrewmatthes
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Good news. The fix is now available, just about to pick mine up after a week in the garage!
Red C220
MB Enthusiast
Give it a day or so of driving around and give us a report.
I'll book both ours in if the fix sorts the problem.
