DAB Radio E Class

[B16grf]

As much as it won't help there does seem to be a bit of the "luck of the draw" about this.
Wifeys new C class no problems, great reception, my CLS suffered very frequent drop outs until it was seemingly fixed by MBGuildford, (see earlier thread reference). The E class loaner I had whilst mine was being fixed was superb also so whilst I have 3 14 Regs Mercs one of which had the problem initially all 3 ended good, if you know what I mean.......

Dispels the latest post suggesting all MB's/ DAB are crap but then you know that from your other recent experience.

I believe the techs will have to check the routing of all cables and connections for conductivity etc and possible even replace the head or amp unit....but somewhere in that lot I'm convinced there will be a fix for the problem.....but remember you must compel dealer to investigate, all to often the easy response will be to suggest its a non repairable issue.
ATB

Update:- car going in Monday as they finally confirmed not working how it should be I also said keep the car till fixed, as I said before my class had no issues in the area,

 

[ras8963]

Good luck - getting them to agree there is a problem should result in a fix...

ATB

 

[Red C220]

I just use FM now, I can't be bothered with a ball ache of trying get the dealer to actually admit there is a problem.

I will watch this thread with interest though and if there is a solution I'll get it booked it and direct them here.

 

[ras8963]

I just use FM now, I can't be bothered with a ball ache of trying get the dealer to actually admit there is a problem.

I will watch this thread with interest though and if there is a solution I'll get it booked it and direct them here.

The fact there is a solution is tangible, if you read the earlier posts MB have recognised some cars have this issue and (so it appears) resolved it.

I dont think there will ever be such a thing as a 100% perfect mobile signal on any wavelength, everything drops occasionally just rarely on most other than DAB due to signal location and strength.

I lose DAB on the wireless system at home on occasion and I would say since an apparent "fix" my CLS is now no worse than that.

I have noted however, and this was the case with mine, that MB need to sit your car alongside another that they claim "does not have a DAB problem" and wait for the drop outs to occur on the faulty vehicle, they will no worries, they will then have to explain, which they wont be able.....and admit there is a fault.

ATB

 

[Lightman]

My 2014 E class coupe went in again for 7 th time last week ostensibly to report to MB which DAB channels were not received with the upgraded amplifier. As per my earlier post although the upgrade seemed to combat the regular drop out when Satnav Tom Tom was searching for traffic it appeared to have generally weaker overall signal strength. However technician at Ashford has now made a dramatic improvement by separation of other wiring to reduce interference ( with the upgraded amplifier). Whilst still get more than occasional drop out of DAB signal this only happened between junctions 12 and 10 of M20 otherwise perfect all way to North London.
This could explain why some cars work ok and others don't - routing of wiring is important. I think MB DAB is never going to be as good as my previous BMWs and Jaguar but is 90 % and is probably now as good as ever likely likely to be.

 

[B16grf]

Update car still at Mercedes new amp and antenna fitted still same drop out, has now been passed to technical for full diagnostic and a new module been ordered will ask tomorrow what one it is and post tomorrow

 

[mogster]

I too have an ongoing issue with my DAB radio in my 2012 E500 Coupe
Station drop out and even music jumping are my issues.
It has been driving me nuts.
The car has spent a day back at my local MB dealer who has investigated the issue and all their testing has shown no errors. They can therefore not change out any of the modules until they find a fault. My warranty runs out in 3 months so realy want to get it sorted.
I have now contacted Mercedes Customer Services to hopefully can get some more support. Fingers crossed

 

[B16grf]

Car still at Mercedes all parts on the circuit have been changed but still errors they now are in contact with Germany as problem seems to be now present when braking etc like an electrical fault will update when I can but for now I got a brand new c class to drive around in and.no dab issues so can't be signalling

 

[Handydave]

I left my E Class Coupe in for its first service yesterday. I asked the service person to see if there was a software update to fix the DAB drop out. When I picked it up he said that the 'DAB Technician' advises that a DAB software update will be available in July. I'm a bit sceptical about this as he also said that the SATNAV update I had specially asked for would be done at that time, as a new version 11 would be out in July. This was presented as a fait accompli when I picked up the car and I can't help thinking the Satnav update is just too much of a nuisance for them, which throws doubt on the DAB update line.

 

[B16grf]

Still having issues even when new mod amp fitted, they did a quick after market aerial test, just a normal one from older car stuck to parcel shelf, reception was 90% better thus I reckon they got issues with rear window where dab is aerialed, all feedback sent to tech Germany and awaiting next.step from Mercedes

 

[kjl]

Satnav is now version 12, I had mine updated 2 weeks ago. It updates all the systems on the car according to the service department and takes up to 4 hours and is downloaded over the internet. My E class which I got at the end of March was a year old but have had no problem with DAB reception and think it very good. Unfortunately after the upgrade the nearside wing mirror doesn't dip when reversing and the bluetooth audio doesn't play the music on my phone despite the phone pairing and the phone working through Command. So it looks like another visit to the dealer.

 

[streethawk]

Satnav is now version 12, I had mine updated 2 weeks ago. It updates all the systems on the car according to the service department and takes up to 4 hours and is downloaded over the internet. My E class which I got at the end of March was a year old but have had no problem with DAB reception and think it very good. Unfortunately after the upgrade the nearside wing mirror doesn't dip when reversing and the bluetooth audio doesn't play the music on my phone despite the phone pairing and the phone working through Command. So it looks like another visit to the dealer.

Is the mirror switch on the passenger side? If not it won't dip.

 

[kjl]

Thanks, I'll check next time I'm out. I know what you mean as my previous CLK they were positive switches which changed which side was operative for adjusting but on the E a warning light illuminates for a while to show which side is on for adjustment but then goes out but I will give it a try and report back if successful.

 

[kjl]

Sorry for misinformation, have just checked my SatNav update, it is version V11 2014/2015.

 

[MBChauffeur]

Hi. I have a:
Mercedes E Class 220 SE Saloon
1st reg April 2015, with 2015 model year.
I have been suffering the DAB drop out + occasional repeat of a couple of words. The Sat Nav includes live services till 2018 and is showing version 2014-2015.
The vehicle is actually in the dealership at this moment, they initially said there was nothing they could do about it - however they do not deem the drop outs as a fault, "then what is it I asked" with no response. Will update upon return of the car

 

[ras8963]

Hi. I have a:
Mercedes E Class 220 SE Saloon
1st reg April 2015, with 2015 model year.
I have been suffering the DAB drop out + occasional repeat of a couple of words. The Sat Nav includes live services till 2018 and is showing version 2014-2015.
The vehicle is actually in the dealership at this moment, they initially said there was nothing they could do about it - however they do not deem the drop outs as a fault, "then what is it I asked" with no response. Will update upon return of the car

Hi,
There are two issues here,
1) The general strength of DAB signal in your area.
2) The quality of reception in your car.

Now if you can, test for 1 above, MB simply cant be responsible for this and there are locations "out in the sticks" where signal strength is poor....tough..

2) - is another matter - this is a fault, some require the antenna connections being checked or the amp checking /replacing, check back in this thread for my own experiences. Initially I was told the same as you and then, after blowing a fuse, - no pun intended, they relented and sat it alongside others in the car park where these were picking up reasonably good DAB, subsequently had to agree I had a faulty car.

Then they fixed it - these days I'm happy with it - very few drop outs, if any on most days.

ATB

 

[Pro Patria]

I have a 2013 220 e class coupe had it from new the dab radio is a waste of time it drops out and it is not worth selecting the fm also all the time bangs and pops toolkit back several times to my local dealer and have spoken to head office technical they changed the amplifier but that has made no difference has anyone had similar problems and had the problem fixed

 

[B16grf]

I have a 2013 220 e class coupe had it from new the dab radio is a waste of time it drops out and it is not worth selecting the fm also all the time bangs and pops toolkit back several times to my local dealer and have spoken to head office technical they changed the amplifier but that has made no difference has anyone had similar problems and had the problem fixed

had same done no better, even new unit with software developed in Germany for it went in Wednesday to get it fitted waste of my time services said same as part couldn't even pick up a signal have now emailed Mercedes-Benz UK complaining about product officially as been 6 months with issues and back and forth to dealership, keep at them as it is not general signal it's to do with car

 

[Bonemac]

I had a DAB radio in my 2007 C Class and it worked perfectly for the 7 years I had the car.

 

[wirephobia]

Richard, if you are still seeing updates from this old thread, could you tell me which fuse is for the comms module in a 218 please? I have the fuse allocation chart, but can't tell which one is for the traffic info / comms module.

Thanks

Ok, i've done some more research.

TIPS document GI82.62-P-059101 (which has strangely disappeared from the index) says this problem occurs on 204 saloon/coupe, 207 coupe, 218 coupe (218.3) and 212 saloon and is caused by the comms nodule (for live traffic) irradiating interference into the antenna amplifier. Disconnecting fuse for comms module fixes the issue thus proving this. A new antenna amp is being created
.......

Richard