DAB Radio E Class

[ras8963]

UPDATE - FIXED - Fingers crossed.

The car back in at the dealer Weds for 3 days as agreed, TBH I was able to collect it on the third day, during which time another E class loaner with perfect DAB signal.

First drive home it now works fine, takes the usual second or two to locate the station, however in and out of the car most of yesterday no drop out at all, albeit I would expect an occasional drop..

Now here's the strap..in all the exitement I forgot to ask what had "actually" been done, but I will call monday and update. On the plus side it seems MB are aware of a potential issue and have a fix. I was also informed of an AMP upgrade, I beleive they want to install this also and suggested they would call me when the part arrives, I think...

Sorry to seem vague, stressful work day yesterday so mind wasnt retaining as much as it might.....but I will post back on this in a day or two.

ATB

 

[Lightman]

My new E Class Coupe has been back to dealer 4 times now with DAB drop out on all stations no matter where. Replacement amp new DAB unit and replacement rear windscreen incorporating aerial all have failed. Latest instruction from was to test some control unit under rear parcel shelf and submit findings to MB Technical for next step. I await outcome but this really is not good enough- I have never had DAB problems with BMW or Jaguar.

 

[ras8963]

My new E Class Coupe has been back to dealer 4 times now with DAB drop out on all stations no matter where. Replacement amp new DAB unit and replacement rear windscreen incorporating aerial all have failed. Latest instruction from was to test some control unit under rear parcel shelf and submit findings to MB Technical for next step. I await outcome but this really is not good enough- I have never had DAB problems with BMW or Jaguar.

I totally agree it not being good enough. Of significance is that I have driven at least 4 other MB's recently, and have friends who I have canvassed all with late model Mercs and my car is the only one that I have personal knowledge of with the problem.

One point though if part of the problem was the amp (and assuming its not actually broken , if you understand what I mean), then simply replacing like for like will not be a cure. I was informed of a new amp solution (as in upgraded) and perhaps MB in seeing this as an issue now have a proposal.

There were other parts fitted which seem to have cured the problem thus far without the need for the upgraded amp but from what I understand they plan to install this in my car also just as soon as it arrives.

ATB

 

[Littleted]

Guys I have a question do either of you have stuff plugged in whilst driving. In mine I have usb in the USB hole with mp3 an iPhone 5s plugged into media port, and both 12v sockets are used by dash cameras when I drive. The last two days I didn't have phone in or dash cams and the signel has been perfect... Which leads me to think the issue is what I thought and how the aerials are amplified too much power draw and the radio takes the hit..I am Harmon kardon also, so when your dealer says amp I presume it's aerial amp and not music amp..

Let me know anyway

RAS can you try get the rundown Monday mate for me, I'm at Bradford merc Thursday and having this information to hand would really stop them dicking about with stuff.

Thanks guys

 

[ras8963]

Just a quickie....I do sometimes have the phone "plugged" to the car for music playlists etc, but nothing in the 12v's.....no material difference either way.

I will catch up monday with info,...
ATB

 

[Lightman]

Guys I have a question do either of you have stuff plugged in whilst driving. In mine I have usb in the USB hole with mp3 an iPhone 5s plugged into media port, and both 12v sockets are used by dash cameras when I drive. The last two days I didn't have phone in or dash cams and the signel has been perfect... Which leads me to think the issue is what I thought and how the aerials are amplified too much power draw and the radio takes the hit..I am Harmon kardon also, so when your dealer says amp I presume it's aerial amp and not music amp.. Let me know anyway RAS can you try get the rundown Monday mate for me, I'm at Bradford merc Thursday and having this information to hand would really stop them dicking about with stuff. Thanks guys

Makes no difference whether or not any stuff plugged in- signal still keeps cutting out

 

[Littleted]

been fine this weekend but ive just been pottering....

 

[Littleted]

RAS try get any technical part number or something I can show dealer, I'm gonna print out forum post, but anything that you think would help let me have it. Appreciated mate thanks

 

[Littleted]

Did you manage to ring them RAS. Thanks

 

[ras8963]

Well guys a whole weekend passed and a couple of days I have had nothing but DAB on and just one teeny weeny drop out...for me its measurably fixed.

Now as to what they did...(sorry it took a day longer for me to post back but busy at work yesterday..), they replaced the AMP .....thats it. Apparently MB sent a new one over under warranty TP installed it and hey presto.

I do believe there may also be an AMP upgrade in the "offing" for these but only my belief in the manner I was informed.

Good luck with the fix.
ATB
R

 

[Lightman]

Thanks RAS

Thanks but they have already tried that with mine without success. I am still awaiting MB Technical to advise dealer what to do next it is now 10 days and if no joy by end of week I will be back to customer services again. This whole episode has gone on since March.

 

[ras8963]

Thanks but they have already tried that with mine without success. I am still awaiting MB Technical to advise dealer what to do next it is now 10 days and if no joy by end of week I will be back to customer services again. This whole episode has gone on since March.

Thats not good.

Are you sure they replaced the amp other than simply removing and re fitting the original....I only say it as the difference in mine is pretty conclusive?

ATB

 

[Littleted]

thanks Ras ill tell them.

 

[jfhuk]

Well guys a whole weekend passed and a couple of days I have had nothing but DAB on and just one teeny weeny drop out...for me its measurably fixed. Now as to what they did...(sorry it took a day longer for me to post back but busy at work yesterday..), they replaced the AMP .....thats it. Apparently MB sent a new one over under warranty TP installed it and hey presto. I do believe there may also be an AMP upgrade in the "offing" for these but only my belief in the manner I was informed. Good luck with the fix. ATB R

Hi, I've got the same issue and my local dealer is struggling to find anything about an amp upgrade, or how they can get Merc to accept an aerial amp replacement as a warranty item. Do you have any details that you share about the part number of the part that was replaced and who at Merc suggested it? Many thanks.

 

[Lightman]

Hi, I've got the same issue and my local dealer is struggling to find anything about an amp upgrade, or how they can get Merc to accept an aerial amp replacement as a warranty item. Do you have any details that you share about the part number of the part that was replaced and who at Merc suggested it? Many thanks.

Mercedes Technical have now come back to dealer. They want it for a week so going in Monday. Will find out what they are now going to try. This will be 5th time back to dealer with two one week efforts. I am very unhappy obviously.

 

[jfhuk]

Dealer just phoned me, they have not replaced the amp as Merc says unless Star can see a fault it won't be covered under warranty.

They have had the car all day yesterday and most of today. So far they have upgraded and reloaded all the Command software as Star did find some errors plus Merc Germany instructed them to apply all the latest updates. Dealer tried to find out if any of these where DAB related, but only got very high level details from Merc.

They are getting the car back to me later this afternoon, then it's wait and see. The dealer is being really helpful, even offering a loan E class car with DAB to see if it's better or worse than mine, so they can prove to Merc whether it's a car or genetic DAB issue. Dealer did some research and off the record he's coming around to agreeing with me that Merc have a DAB problem across the entire range that needs fixing.

 

[jfhuk]

Car just came back, took for quick drive on route where DAB normally dies and so far it hasn't. Note on job sheet says customer to monitor and report back if not fixed. They certainly brought it up to date, even doing maps for sat nav, which are now at version 10, plus nicely washed and vacumed.

 

[ras8963]

Sorry chaps, missed the posts.

All I can offer is this...
STAR will NOT locate the problem as everything is fitted and "works" fine.....the DAB drop out is only intermittent albeit frequent and can only be picked up if you sit inj the car or take it for a drive for a while.....You need to do as I did and TELL them not to come back and tell me there is nothing wrong when the patently is.

I have to say my dealer benty over backward and couldnt have been more helpful.....updates etc were stage 1....the fix was a replacement amp...Im told this came from MB headshed....it works perfect since and from memory I have had only one drop out which was minor.

One thing get therm to park a car next to it maybe and put both on the same DAB station and monitor ther result.....did this with mine and it was a demonstrable difference. Note not all cars are having the problem but my guess is that there are a series of "dodgy" amps fitted....

ATB

 

[Littleted]

Ras me again have you got command or the bobby basic CD20

I have an update on my A45 today
MB Leeds coundnt find a problem, but did request a customer complaint to MB, MB replied that there is an AMP upgrade for command but not for the basic CD20.

Can you confirm that yours is command or CD20 ( none command ) and which dealer you used, and PM me any name I can ring. I know you said sollihull MB if I can get hold of there SD I may be able to get info that my dealer can use .

Any help would be great

 

[richard]

Hi

If the car has option B54 (communications module, used for live traffic), it can interferes with the DAB on 204/207/208/212. MB is developing a new DAB antenna amplifier - no idea when it is coming.

If your dealer needs to know what to watch for, refer him to TIPS bulletin GI82.62-P-059101

I imagine that antenna amplifier will generally work better as it will be resilient to GSM/3G interference.

I can assure you, DAB antennas are a pain in the back-side.

Cheers

Richard