DAB 'Device Unavailable' Message

[jfhuk]

Mercedes Benz Beaconsfield have the fix. I was number 20 on his list of thirty to do. Got to say the fix works really well, hasn't had one drop out since it was done.

 

[Snowgum]

Maidstone have it.

 

[Snowgum]

Does anyone know if the fix is a separate software patch or embedded in the latest full update of command software? My garage did the latter and halfway home I suddenly lost all audio for dab. FM and everything else fine. So came back to the garage, but Sod's law I took a call on the car phone just before I got back and when it ended the sound came back on! Not massively confidence inspiring.

 

[jfhuk]

Mine was a separate update. I don't know if it's in the latest Comand update as well.

Richard might know, or others that have access to a Star system with updates.

 

[Snowgum]

Alas an epic failure at Maidstone. When I first called them I explained about the device unavailable issue and the specific fix and they said they had the update so I booked in. This morning what they did was do a full command update, saying that there was no specific DAB update. As explained above I then suffered an episode of zero DAB volume and they plugged the car back in but could find nothing specific. Worst of all my device unavailable issue is exactly as before, completely unfixed. I've let them know and they say they have raised it as a technical query. I spoke to Beaconsfield who said it was a standard Mercedes update but as I'm not a customer of theirs were unwilling to give details over the phone. If anyone can provide any specifics of the update that would be brilliant. Yours slightly despairingly, having just wasted pretty much a whole day.

 

[Fudger]

Those who have had the issue fixed, please could you post which dealer fixed ? Most don't yet seem to have the fix.

R

Richard, I had mine done at MB Brooklands today. On my 30 minutes drive home I did not get a 'device unavailable' message so initially, at least, it looks promising.

 

[Snowgum]

Fudger, did they do the specific patch that takes 30mins or a full update of command (2 hours)? You may not know if you weren't waiting. Thanks.

 

[Fudger]

Fudger, did they do the specific patch that takes 30mins or a full update of command (2 hours)? You may not know if you weren't waiting. Thanks.

Sorry but I was not waiting and they had other things to do on my car as well. I could call them on Tuesday and ask?

 

[Snowgum]

That would be really helpful. If we could get actual details of the fix - software number or whatever - that would be brilliant. My dealer denied their was such a thing.

 

[Fudger]

That would be really helpful. If we could get actual details of the fix - software number or whatever - that would be brilliant. My dealer denied their was such a thing.

Ok, consider it done.

 

[andrewmatthes]

Gents,

Had the fix about 4-6 weeks now. Sadly there is still some intermittent dropping out. Grr.
Back to the garage again

 

[Fudger]

Ok chaps, I just had an interesting discussion with Paul at MB Brooklands in response to Snowgum's request for info.

My car has the full command radio system and the fix is a software update that takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.

He stated that there is also a 'lesser' system (An APS radio I think he said), which has the same problem but there is no fix for that type of radio, yet.

The fix applied to my command radio system is a trial fix that they, MB Brooklands, and a few others have, to test the fix before it gets rolled out to all dealers. This might explain why some owners are getting mixed results with their updates.

I had the update completed last Friday and to date, I have not had a drop out. Fingers crossed it continues!

He also stated that the problem tends to occur in cars who live in the South East due to the number of DAB multiplexers there are. In other parts of the country, where the number of multiplexers is below 100, the radios do not appear to have a problem. They might when they are driven in the South East, however.

MB Brooklands are happy to apply the fix to anyone who can get their car into their service centre. They do reasonable coffee if you can stay for the necessary time or even treat yourself to a trip round the track in an AMG 63 or similar

 

[Snowgum]

That's hugely helpful, fisher, thank you. I may be paying a trip to brooklands!

 

[Spin_bowler]

For those that haven't had the fix done and live in the South East are you finding the problem is better than it was? I've not had mine done and won't bother now as it's going back in less than two months but I'm using DAB daily and only getting one or two drop outs, whereas when it first manifested itself it was unusable?

 

[Red C220]

For those that haven't had the fix done and live in the South East are you finding the problem is better than it was? I've not had mine done and won't bother now as it's going back in less than two months but I'm using DAB daily and only getting one or two drop outs, whereas when it first manifested itself it was unusable?

I've noticed the same, the dropouts have reduced in frequency.

 

[richard]

It has dropped a bit for me in both cars too. I guess one of the test ensembles has disappeared so we are around the "100 station in a good reception area" limit, so not getting the issue as often.

R

 

[SultanTiger]

Haven't noticed much difference in the M25 J11 and surrounding areas. Regular dropouts with either just the previously selected station audible (display says 'No Reception') or complete loss of audio for 5 seconds. I think it's highly weather dependant with atmospherics.

I have the separate DAB with Audio 20 and HK in an a-class. First experienced it last October when near Market Harborough. That knocked the whole thing out for 4 weeks until it was re-programmed at Guildford MB. They never did get to the bottom of 'why', lots of spurious diagnostic errors.

I'm still waiting for an update from 2 months ago after they filed a 'technical' report. MB are very slow and I have my suspicions it's a hardware issue that they don't want to replace.

 

[A45AMG]

For those that haven't had the fix done and live in the South East are you finding the problem is better than it was? I've not had mine done and won't bother now as it's going back in less than two months but I'm using DAB daily and only getting one or two drop outs, whereas when it first manifested itself it was unusable?

Me also.
No update but when I am working regularly in the Slough area I hardly get a drop out in the last couple of weeks.
No problem at all back in the Northampton sticks.

 

[Snowgum]

Booked in withMb Brooklands for Friday morning. They are the first dealer who have sounded as if they know what they are talking about! Also very nice to do business with. Will let you know how I get on.

 

[Alfie]

Booked in withMb Brooklands for Friday morning. They are the first dealer who have sounded as if they know what they are talking about! Also very nice to do business with. Will let you know how I get on.

Its not that they necessarily know what they are doing with this issue, its that they are one of two dealerships that have access to the fix for it. Last time they got stuck with coding a car, guess where it came to? Guess also if they've paid the invoice for it in February? NO!