DAB Radio E Class

[ras8963]

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

Hi, I do have command, (its a 14 my CLS)......the dealer is MB Guildford....good guys.

ATB

 

[Lightman]

Hi, I do have command, (its a 14 my CLS)......the dealer is MB Guildford....good guys. ATB

collecting my car from dealer this pm after they have had it for a week. On instruction of MB Technical temporary solution is disconnection of traffic announcements pending MB replacing antenna amplifier with upgrade due this quarter 2014. So after already tried replacement amp and new rear windscreen ie aerial it appears choice is TA or DAB at present.

 

[ras8963]

I share the frustration, why it seems so difficult is annoying..

I too was informed of an amp upgrade later in the year, I assume we get a recall. Meanwhile I guess I was lucky that a replacment amp was a fix for my problem.

Hope its all sorted soon.

ATB

 

[Lightman]

Only driven about 10 miles so far but DAB is working without drop out. When I say no TA this only applies to to the messages within the satnav. Still get radio stations interrupting with traffic news. BTW got dealer to update satnav to version 10. Would not have known about that availability without this forum so thanks to all.
Now just have to await recall when upgraded antenna amp is available.

 

[Littleted]

Guys an update from me, the AMP upgrade is for Command only nothing for CD20
ive done a POLL here please add yourself and comment

DAB Radio Issues POLL - Mercedes A-Class Forum - Page 2

ive had mine to dealers, and complained to MB, I will complain further as I find the DAB not fit for Purpose for Long jouneys, dropping out and switch to FM backup Mode often.

 

[Lightman]

DAB Radio issues and satnav map errors

After 5 months can now listen to DAB radio! However it has a weak signal losing it completely in major mostly hilly areas of Dover and Folkestone. Never had this problem with Jaguar or BMWs. Worked without drop out on M20 to London though.

I mentioned that I requested dealer to update satnav comand to version 10.
Still I have map error on M20 as per v9.0. Going to London it insists on taking you onto A20 and after 1 mile back onto M20. How stupid!

Who should this be reported to? Can errors like this be altered in the comand system -I cannot see a way?

 

[richard]

The latest NTG4.5 map on my ML did the same to me this weekend. Next time I go that way I'll look to see how many mercs are doing the same...

R

 

[jfhuk]

Mercedes Customer Services has now entered the loop in my efforts in trying to get the DAB radio reception fixed. They are claiming that tech bulletin mentioned earlier in the thread doesn't apply to the Command system installed in my 2012 E Series. I've just sent them the John McEnroe format reply. Has anyone else had this nonsense from Mercedes customer services?

 

[richard]

They are claiming that tech bulletin mentioned earlier in the thread doesn't apply to the Command system installed in my 2012 E Series.

They are correct. 2012 cars don't have the live traffic facility (option B54).

There is not interference other vehicles (such as R230), and in fact there is not always any interference.

Richard

 

[richard]

Guys an update from me, the AMP upgrade is for Command only nothing for CD20.

Yes, thats because the Audio-20 does not have live traffic facility - i.e can;t have option B54 which is what is causing the interference

R

 

[jfhuk]

They are correct. 2012 cars don't have the live traffic facility (option B54). There is not interference other vehicles (such as R230), and in fact there is not always any interference. Richard

Thanks Richard, any ideas on what the dealer should be looking at on a 2012 model with frequent DAB radio cut outs? He's upgraded all the cars software components to the latest levels, but whilst it's better it's still cutting out whenever a Greenwich time signal is broadcast and on trips inside the M25 radius on BBC national, independent and local radio stations.

Do you do fault diagnosis on DAB Command issues by any chance?

 

[jfhuk]

Decided to have a look myself and started by checking the cables from the aerial(s?) to the command unit.

I found a very slight kink in one of them. Luckily it was easy to rectify and seems to have cured the Greenwich time signal being transmitted stopping the DAB reception for 10 sec, it also hasn't had a drop out since. I'm not sure it's the solution, as it sounds far too easy.. It's a case now of wait and see, or should I say wait and listen ..

 

[richard]

Where did you find this kink? I ask because the DAB aerial goes to the DAB tuner which is in the boot on a W212. The aerials on the back of COMAND are for FM/AM, GPS, Bluetooth.

Yes, coax loses signal when kinked (but it should take more than a slight kink to cause real issues)

Richard

 

[14emerc]

I have a 14 plate E and the dab drop out happens all over the South of England.
Are we saying this can be fixed ?

 

[jfhuk]

I haven't got much in the way of documentation on what aerials are what, so I'd assumed incorrectly that the two antenna connections at top left when viewed from rear where the FM and DAB antenna. The one that was kinked was the left one off the two close together when viewed from the rear. When I had the unit out I checked each of the connectors where fastened tightly as well. I'm not sure what did what but there's a noticeable improvement in DAB reception.

 

[reason42]

Hello all, I have an E Coupe C207 64 plate with command. I have the DAB problem and it is driving me crazy. I'll let you all know how I get on with getting the dealer to fix it
.

 

[Lightman]

I have been contacted by dealer part has been received. Presumably this is new upgraded aerial amplifier. To be fitted Friday will let you know if this resolves our issues

 

[richard]

It would be really useful if you could find out the part number and the reference to the document that tells the dealer what they should be fitting

That way others will be able to get their dealers to replace the amp (and you'll know what they've done)

Needless to say the 'TIPS' document has not been updated to show this new amp yet !

Cheers
Richard

 

[Lightman]

Well upgraded aerial amplifier (compensator) is fitted - not a success.
Marginally better than original but DAB radio still regularly cuts out. I went one stop down motorway - radio 5 live must have cut out 20 times.
Went back to dealer who disconnected the traffic messaging from Tom Tom (it is apparently the regular searching of that that interferes with the DAB). Much better but the whole signal strength is definitely worse than with previous amplifier and so still get drop outs but borderline listenable now. Several channels I got before now have no signal at all.
We are back to square one. This has now gone on 7 months and I fear if MB need to carry out further redesign will be another several months at least.
Not that it is worth it but there is no part number yet - apparently MB have only limited numbers of these amplifiers and are issuing only to those specific cases referred to them. Perhaps I am a guinea pig.

 

[jfhuk]

I think Mercedes implementation of DAB is awful for a prestige car maker.

My wife's Skoda Yeti's DAB radio implementation is light years ahead compared to the Mercedes DAB.

The Skoda hardly ever loses a signal and on the few occasions that it does, it automatically switches to the FM version of the station. If Skoda can do it why can't Mercedes?