DAB radio in 2014 SLK

[contracts34]

Just got a 2014 SLK with DAB Radio. It is near on useless compared to the DAB reception I had in my E Class which worked perfectly.

It loses the signal every few seconds (sometimes lasts for over a minute!)Any other SLK owner had this issue?

 

[st13phil]

DAB reception in my wife's 2015 R172 SLK55 was very patchy, but perhaps not as bad as you describe and I mentioned it at service time.

I believe that the dealer changed the aerial amplifier, but there were various software updates too. Long and short of it is that it's fine now.

 

[BaldGuy]

I have the same in my SL and its fine.... sounds like you have an issue....

 

[contracts34]

Okay thanks guys. Will ask the dealer to check it whilst still under warranty.

 

[richard]

If it says "device unavailable" when you lose reception, it needs a firmware update. Theres a couple of independents that can do this for you (see Mercedes Retrofit Specialist - Comand.co.uk ) or the MB dealer network - as you need genuine Online Xentry Diagnosis to do the update, and few independents have the genuine system with online ...

R

 

[optimusprime]

Dab will be the only way .Plans for the FM transmiters to close down in the near future .

 

[contracts34]

If it says "device unavailable" when you lose reception, it needs a firmware update. Theres a couple of independents that can do this for you (see Mercedes Retrofit Specialist - Comand.co.uk ) or the MB dealer network - as you need genuine Online Xentry Diagnosis to do the update, and few independents have the genuine system with online ...

R

Hi
Whenever the signal goes, I get the antenna symbol with a line through it until the radio comes back on. Is that what you mean?

 

[Alfie]

Hi
Whenever the signal goes, I get the antenna symbol with a line through it until the radio comes back on. Is that what you mean?

No what Richard means is do you see the words 'Device unavailable' on the screen?

 

[contracts34]

No what Richard means is do you see the words 'Device unavailable' on the screen?

Hi Alfie

No not seen that

 

[contracts34]

UPDATE

Had a replacement antenna fitted yesterday and was assured it was fixed. On my journey to work this morning, the same issue, losing signal randomly. Not impressed!

 

[baxlin]

Daft Q maybe, but do you have anything plugged into the ciggy socket?

 

[Alfie]

Daft Q maybe, but do you have anything plugged into the ciggy socket?

Not daft at all. Very good point. Ive seen a number of DAB systems with signal issues caused by cheap devices connected to the 12V socket.

 

[baxlin]

Not daft at all. Very good point. Ive seen a number of DAB systems with signal issues caused by cheap devices connected to the 12V socket.

I suppose I could have put "don't ask me how I know", I put up with rubbish DAB signal on my leased Lexus, until the day before it went back, when I took all my stuff, including dashcam, out of the car. I then enjoyed perfect DAB cover for a full day!

And it had been back to the Lexus dealer to try and sort it, without success I might add.....

 

[contracts34]

Daft Q maybe, but do you have anything plugged into the ciggy socket?

Hi.
No I have nothing plugged in to the cigarette socket. I have hard wired my Dashcam (which is obviously fitted to the windscreen, but I have taken the power from a spare fuse in the boot.

 

[Alfie]

Hi.
No I have nothing plugged in to the cigarette socket. I have hard wired my Dashcam (which is obviously fitted to the windscreen, but I have taken the power from a spare fuse in the boot.

Disconnect the dashcam at the fusebox so there is no power to any of the wiring and remove the dashcam from the car (incase it has an internal battery) and see what happens.

 

[John N]

Daft Q maybe, but do you have anything plugged into the ciggy socket?

Before I "hard-wired" my Dash-cam I used to lose DAB Reception for a couple minutes in the same area on the A428 near Cambridge, didn't matter what Station, since the "hard-wire" it has worked fine!

 

[contracts34]

Disconnect the dashcam at the fusebox so there is no power to any of the wiring and remove the dashcam from the car (incase it has an internal battery) and see what happens.

Yep, not much else left to try

 

[garycat]

My dashcam seems to interfere with the DAB, strong signals are still fine but weaker ones are killed off.

 

[contracts34]

I'm thinking of trying an additional DAB aerial plugged in to the DAB unit in the boot. Does anyone know if it requires a powered aerial or not?
Thanks in advance

 

[Alfie]

I'm thinking of trying an additional DAB aerial plugged in to the DAB unit in the boot. Does anyone know if it requires a powered aerial or not?
Thanks in advance

Did you completely remove the dash cam right back to where the power for it is taken from the cars existing loom?