iPod and CD playback

[oscarisapc]

Hi folks

I have recently bought a second hand W203 320 Estate MY55 with an MP3 interface socket in the glove compartment. I have got Comand and Harmon Kardon sound. That all seems to work fine and the iPod interfaces with the dash display etc. The problem is that I can't play CDs. There is no CD changer but I don't mind that as singles would do fine but I can't even play those through the Comand slot as stated in the manual. Although there is a CD softkey it doesn't show as functional. The Aux softkey operates the iPod.

Is something not working or is disabling the CD part of the iPod installation? If this is how it is, what is the best solution to get CDs - have the iPod removed or can I get a CD player/changer installed as well? I only need to play single CDs.

Finally, as I am not technical at all, is there someone the forum can recommend in the Nottingham area who could do this for me? From reading posts on this forum it seems that a technical specialist is more likely to be able to sort Comand issues than a main dealer.

Thanks

Oscar

 

[chitaxmoto]

is navigation working (showing map) when dvd is inserted ? make sure the cd is not mp3 format

 

[oscarisapc]

Yes - the nav disk (I think it is a DVD) is working fine and shows maps Ok. The CDs I am using are original music CDs - not copies.
When I put a CD in the machine jams - it doesn't recognise it at all and will not even eject it. I have to turn the ignition off and on again - presumably the Comand equivalent of a hard reset of a computer. The Comand manual states that the soft key should show once the Nav disk is ejected and a CD is put in - well not in mine I regret to say.

 

[mr. shr]

Are you sure you don't have a multi changer above the ashtray? I thought all 211's had a multichanger.
There should be a little silver button just below the hazard warning button. Pressing this should reveal the cd multichanger.

 

[oscarisapc]

No there is nothing under the hazard warning switch except a warning light for the passenger airbag.

I have just been into the MB garage who could not suggest anything except by putting in a replacement head unit. However, I have solved one problem. I had assumed the iPod was connected to the Aux input to the Comand since the Aux softkey operates it. However, if I disconnect and remove the iPod and then load a CD the machine will recognise it and the CD softkey becomes active. So it is obviously an either/or system and not both. This will allow me to play single CDs which is a great improvement. However it is really rather naff for a 2005 prestige system not to be able to play CDs as well as iPod, not to display track information on the Comand screen and not to enable simultaneous operation of the Satnav and CD. Ho hum.

Thanks folks for advice