E350cdi W212 comand security code 2011

[Scb33]

Has anyone had to replace a broken audio head unit with a used
(eBay) one? Was it easy to obtain a security code, and which website
Would you recommend?
My Comand unit (mitsubishi) is kaput and not repairable, I have
searched but have been unable to find an aftermarket replacement
for the w212.
There are a few comand units on eBay, and this appears to be
the only option.
I am a little nervous about buying a used unit
and being unable to get the security code.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Do they have codes ??

 

[Scb33]

I am lead to believe that if you remove a unit,
it will require a code when you reinstall it, the
code can be obtained from mercedes, or possibly
from a 3rd party website, but it is necessary to
either prove ownership or provide the VIN number.
I was wondering if anyone had experience of this.
The best outcome would be that I am misinformed
and no code is necessary.
I am not keen to spend £250+, to find out that the
new second hand unit is effectively security locked.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Every Merc I've owned with comand I've had to change the battery and never required a code .

 

[Diesel Benz]

Every Merc I've owned with comand I've had to change the battery and never required a code .

It isn't that simple with later MB models. The head unit is coded to the chassis code. No code needed when battery is changed but if you move the head unit to another car, a code may be needed. I just cannot remember if NTG4 already had this VIN dependent security code, perhaps not (no code at all).

 

[Scb33]

Every Merc I've owned with comand I've had to change the battery and never required a code .

Thanks for replying, I've done the same, ie taken battery out
and not needed a code, but I will be using a radio from a scrap
car, which might require a code.
I cannot be the only one who has had to fit a replacement radio
but finding any answers is proving very difficult.

 

[Scb33]

I have now connected a used replacement head unit NTG4.5,
and as expected the message "Anti Theft activated" has
appeared on the screen.
I now require a code to reactivate the unit.
I have tried the most popular site and they cannot supply a code.
I have approached MB main dealer who told me to take a run and jump,
even though I have both the registration and VIN of the donor vehicle,
and that vehicle has been scrapped.
I'm now getting desperate for a reliable source to supply the anti theft code.
I cannot be the first person to fit a used comand unit

 

[richard]

Talk to www.comandonline.co.uk - part of fitting a used COMAND unit should involve firmware update, SCN coding, and then you'll need to install a map (and need a map code as map on unit is licenced to the old VIN.

 

[Scb33]

Thanks Richard, I do appreciate your reply, can't say I
fully understand it, but I will chase it up.
If there was an aftermarket unit available, life would be a lot
more straightforward

 

[Chrishazle]

You might just find that Richard can supply and fit an aftermarket unit (Pioneer or similar) which will not only replace your NTG4.5, but will have much better capabilites, be more up to date and easier/cheaper to update! OK Lightwater Surrey is a hike from Somerset (3 miles from J3 M3) but if the car is a keeper, could well be worthwhile! Give them a phone call!

 

[markjay]

The antitheft feature locks the infotainment unit to the car's VIN

There are two ways to avoid the code issue.

The first is to disable the antitheft lock on the COMAND before removing it from the donor car.

The second is to use STAR to make a note of the antitheft code, again before removing it from the donor car.

If the unit was removed from the donor vehicle without disabling the antitheft lock, and the code is unknown, it becomes a brick.

Some eBay sellers actually say that the unit is provided with the antitheft code, and these are the ones to buy from.

I don't know if Mercedes dealers can technically resolve this issue, perhaps they can, but I do know they won't.

Regarding comandonline.co.uk, it might be worth checking with them, but to keep expectations in check just keep in mind that they are a commercial organisation and might have no business interest in unlocking second hand COMAND units bought off eBay.

Good luck with it.

 

[markjay]

Thanks Richard, I do appreciate your reply, can't say I
fully understand it, but I will chase it up.
If there was an aftermarket unit available, life would be a lot
more straightforward

What richard is saying (among other things) is that even if you get the donor unit to turn on, the navigation won't work because the maps data will be locked to the donor car's VIN, and this lock is separate to the unit's antitheft lock.

So even if you do get the new Command unit going, you'll need to reinstall the maps data.

If you know the PIN code for the maps data from your old unit, you may be able to reapply it to the new unit, but only if the version of the maps happens to be the same on both the new and old units (and the chances of that are slim, given that the maps versions range from v4 to v20). So in short the more likely scenario is that you'll need to purchase a new PIN code for the current/latest maps (~£150) for the navigation to work on the new unit, then download the maps data and update the system (again - assuming that you managed to resolve the antitheft lock issue first).

 

[Scb33]

What richard is saying (among other things) is that even if you get the donor unit to turn on, the navigation won't work because the maps data will be locked to the donor car's VIN, and this lock is separate to the unit's antitheft lock.

So even if you do get the new Command unit going, you'll need to reinstall the maps data.

If you know the PIN code for the maps data from your old unit, you may be able to reapply it to the new unit, but only if the version of the maps happens to be the same on both the new and old units (and the chances of that are slim, given that the maps versions range from v4 to v20). So in short the more likely scenario is that you'll need to purchase a new PIN code for the current/latest maps (~£150) for the navigation to work on the new unit, then download the maps data and update the system (again - assuming that you managed to resolve the antitheft lock issue first).

 

[Scb33]

At this point in the saga, I am just trying to acquire a code for my used replacement unit.
Navigation is of little concern, as I've never used it, and with the car being eleven years old the mapping is probably out of date anyway.
When required I use my phone for sat nav.
If I could get the unit to play music, I would be thrilled.
As I've previously said, there is no aftermarket unit available to replace the ntg4.5 in the dashboard of a w212, only updated touch screens that rely on the
comand unit to operate.
It's getting to the point where I am having to consider whether to keep the car
just because the radio is inoperable.
There must be a tech guy out there who can provide a code,

 

[markjay]

At this point in the saga, I am just trying to acquire a code for my used replacement unit.
Navigation is of little concern, as I've never used it, and with the car being eleven years old the mapping is probably out of date anyway.
When required I use my phone for sat nav.
If I could get the unit to play music, I would be thrilled.
As I've previously said, there is no aftermarket unit available to replace the ntg4.5 in the dashboard of a w212, only updated touch screens that rely on the
comand unit to operate.
It's getting to the point where I am having to consider whether to keep the car
just because the radio is inoperable.
There must be a tech guy out there who can provide a code,

Your only chance of getting the antitheft code for the device that you bought off eBay is if you find a cooperative Indie who is both able and willing to do this for you, but these are thin on the ground.

Alternatively, you can try returning the second hand unit to the eBay seller (logging a dispute with eBay if required) then take the car to a specialist like www.comandonline.co.uk who will source and fit a replacement unit for you (or make other suggestions if applicable, e.g. repairing your old unit).

 

[Scb33]

My original unit was manufactured by mitsubishi, it is not
repairable, it has been examined by a professional car audio
guy.
The replacement unit does work, when I connected it up
to my car it worked briefly, before the anti theft message
appeared.
So stage one is complete,(I know I have a good unit).
There are many sites on Google that provide radio codes,
with thousands of positive feedbacks.
I did input my details to the most popular (UK) site, serial number,
VIN number, registration, but they refunded me as they couldn't
find the code required.
I would hope to hear from someone who has worked this problem
out, many of these used units are sold on eBay at £300+, so I can
only presume that there is a fix out there somewhere.
I picked up my replacement for £100 so I'm quite happy
with that, I just require a code from someone 'in the know'

 

[markjay]

Best of luck.