ICE not coming online

[Sky Bear]

I am hopeful that the knowledge of the members here will help to solve a problem I have with the ICE in my 07 W221.

Very occasionally when you start the car you will discover that you have the sat nav but all radio and cd/telephone functions are absent. If you turn the car off, lock it and start again after a few minutes everything will be back working.

It may be unrelated but I have a card and MP3 files in the changer for additional music. This works very well and never been a problem, however if the radio does play up it has always been whilst the CF card is in place and it has never happened with the card removed. As said though this may be a coincidence.

Any help appreciated.

Mike

 

[richard]

This is most likely to be a failing audio gateway. It contains the amplifier, radio etc but if it fails to start you get the symptoms listed.

We see this most often in diesels that have been used as taxis as they are left standing with engine on a-lot, and exhaust fumes get sucked into the amplifier and it gets covered in soot.

We see it most often on the Harmon Kardon version as that has a fan on it that presumably runs a lot.

As it has not failed completely, I suggest removing and cleaning internally with an air-line, and possibly surgical spirit etc. Its on the left in the boot, but is a bit of a task removing it.

I'd recommend anyone with a S class diesel, particularly with Harmon Kardon do this every now and then as the amp is very ££££.

Saying that, of course, it may be worth checking the firmware on the COMAND is up-to-date too (needs someone with on-line star diagnosis like Mercedes Retrofit Specialist - Comand.co.uk) in case it is a software issue too as you note this only occurs with the CF card in place.

But clean the amp first and see what happens, as its always worth cleaning those amps out.

Richard

 

[Sky Bear]

Thank you kindly for the information. It is not, as far as I am aware, an HK system. I will however follow your advice and take a look at cleaning the amp as well as checking the software is up to date.

Mike

 

[Sky Bear]

An update since my last post, hopefully anyone searching in the future will find this and may help with a similar problem and save some money.

I did not get a chance to clean and inspect the gateway due to travelling with work. However I have added 3500 miles since my last post and no problems whatsoever. I had left my card out and used the radio and CD for all of this time.

Yesterday I put the card back in for the first time and on the second start the audio was lost again. I am pretty sure now this is a conflict with the card and so whilst not sure why or how to fix it I would recommend anyone with a similar problem try without a card in before buying a new gateway. It may just save you some money.

Any ideas on why this is happening welcomed, will contact the guys at Commandonline next week.

SB