NTG 4.5 Apple CarPlay Retrofit

[gotamerc303]

Sorry for the long post, but I’m hoping for some insight to a problem. My car is a facelift 2014 E350 which, has NTG 4.5 Comand & the factory 360 camera system. In June 2022, I installed an IMI-1000 Android / Apple CarPlay module, made by Intergrated Automotive.

Since then the IMI-1000 module itself, has presented no problems. However, around October 2023. I noticed, when selecting reverse gear, the screen appeared to flicker when the screen changed from CarPlay to rear view camera.

The flickering screen problem continued into 2024 & gradually got worse & progressed to an intermittent blank screen & eventually the screen went permanently blank. This occurred throughout, when in all the NTG screens, but when in Apple CarPlay mode, the screen worked normally.

I contacted my local Mercedes Specialist who diagnosed a video fault within the NTG head unit. A used unit was obtained, fitted & coded, which resolved the issue. (Mercedes Dealership would not fit or warranty a new head unit connected to non approved aftermarket electronic components).

The replacement NTG head unit, has now been in the car for around 9 months. However, I recently noticed the flickering screen problem has reappeared. Because of the problems & cost of obtaining a replacement head unit & getting it coded, this new development has caused me grave concern, prompting me to consult my local Mercedes Specialist yet again, this time for advice. They suggested the problem occurring again on the replacement head unit, could be coincidental or, it could be down to a power surge generated by the IMI-1000 causing an overload during the switching process from CarPlay to rear view camera leading to eventual video failure.

As Comand Online recommended & supplied the IMI-1000, I emailed them for comment, but they have not replied, disappointing, but predictable.

I’ve decided to remove the IMI-1000 & go back to the outdated NTG 4.5 Comand. However, I would be interested to hear from anyone else who has had similar issues with their NTG 4.5, either after fitting aftermarket upgrades or not.

Thanks for reading.

 

[rf065]

As Comand Online recommended & supplied the IMI-1000, I emailed them for comment, but they have not replied, disappointing, but predictable.

Many members here are quick to recommend them, although I had a bad experience with them myself.
Hopefully they will see this and get back to you!

 

[markjay]

The flickering screen problem continued into 2024 & gradually got worse & progressed to an intermittent blank screen & eventually the screen went permanently blank. This occurred throughout, when in all the NTG screens, but when in Apple CarPlay mode, the screen worked normally.

Are you saying that the screen is permanently blank, unless you're using Apple CarPlay via the Integrated Automotive unit?

This could make sense if the Integrated Automotive unit connected directly to the screen, I.e. via a splitter cable.

However, if the Integrated Automotive unit connects into a video Aux input on the COMAND unit, then I don't see how the video output on the COMAND unit can be faulty.

Also, when the replacement COMAND unit was fitted, did they reuse your existing screen, and more importantly, did they also reuse your existing video cable (between the screen and COMAND)?

 

[gotamerc303]

Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. The video cable from the NTG unit is connected directly to the IMI-1000 & then another cable goes from the IMI-1000 to the screen. Any issues within the head unit are therefore, transmitted through the IMI-1000, but the image produced by the IMI is sent to the screen separately. I suppose you could disconnect the video feed from the head unit into the IMI & still have a working CarPlay screen.

Initially, it was assumed the fault was in the screen, but that theory was quickly abandoned because the CarPlay screen was completely unaffected, so only the head unit needed to be changed. The same cables were used. But a faulty or damaged video cable was looked at. The head unit is the largest & most expensive component to change, so every other possibility was investigated first. A bench test proved it in the end.

 

[markjay]

Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. The video cable from the NTG unit is connected directly to the IMI-1000 & then another cable goes from the IMI-1000 to the screen. Any issues within the head unit are therefore, transmitted through the IMI-1000, but the image produced by the IMI is sent to the screen separately. I suppose you could disconnect the video feed from the head unit into the IMI & still have a working CarPlay screen.

Initially, it was assumed the fault was in the screen, but that theory was quickly abandoned because the CarPlay screen was completely unaffected, so only the head unit needed to be changed. The same cables were used. But a faulty or damaged video cable was looked at. The head unit is the largest & most expensive component to change, so every other possibility was investigated first. A bench test proved it in the end.

Fair enough, so you're saying that a bench test proved thar the video output on the old COMAND unit was kaput.

And you suspect that the Integrated Automotive unit is causing the video output on the COMAND unit to fail, possibly due to an electric spike.

However, at this point, the suspected spike can be caused by any other component in the car.

Also, I understand that the installer (Comand UK / Unique) didn't response to your queries. Did you try to get support from the manufacturer? They are based in Leicester, I believe.

 

[gotamerc303]

Hi, just to be clear, Comand Online supplied it & I had it installed locally.
You could be quite correct about other components within the car causing the overload, I haven’t definitively blamed the IMI-1000 although I do suspect it.
One thing I have noticed, however, at least so far as I can ascertain. When selecting reverse while in NTG mode, no flicker, when in CarPlay mode the screen will flicker.
Unfortunately, the labour costs involved with doing a full diagnostic are rather prohibitive & you rarely get a definitive diagnosis when you return to pay the bill.
I haven’t contacted Intergrated Automotive because I was hoping to hear of other people’s experiences.
I’ll contact them after the weekend & post their reply.
Thank you for your comments

 

[richard]

Sorry for the long post, but I’m hoping for some insight to a problem. My car is a facelift 2014 E350 which, has NTG 4.5 Comand & the factory 360 camera system. In June 2022, I installed an IMI-1000 Android / Apple CarPlay module, made by Intergrated Automotive.

Since then the IMI-1000 module itself, has presented no problems. However, around October 2023. I noticed, when selecting reverse gear, the screen appeared to flicker when the screen changed from CarPlay to rear view camera.

The flickering screen problem continued into 2024 & gradually got worse & progressed to an intermittent blank screen & eventually the screen went permanently blank. This occurred throughout, when in all the NTG screens, but when in Apple CarPlay mode, the screen worked normally.

I contacted my local Mercedes Specialist who diagnosed a video fault within the NTG head unit. A used unit was obtained, fitted & coded, which resolved the issue. (Mercedes Dealership would not fit or warranty a new head unit connected to non approved aftermarket electronic components).

The replacement NTG head unit, has now been in the car for around 9 months. However, I recently noticed the flickering screen problem has reappeared. Because of the problems & cost of obtaining a replacement head unit & getting it coded, this new development has caused me grave concern, prompting me to consult my local Mercedes Specialist yet again, this time for advice. They suggested the problem occurring again on the replacement head unit, could be coincidental or, it could be down to a power surge generated by the IMI-1000 causing an overload during the switching process from CarPlay to rear view camera leading to eventual video failure.

As Comand Online recommended & supplied the IMI-1000, I emailed them for comment, but they have not replied, disappointing, but predictable.

I’ve decided to remove the IMI-1000 & go back to the outdated NTG 4.5 Comand. However, I would be interested to hear from anyone else who has had similar issues with their NTG 4.5, either after fitting aftermarket upgrades or not.

Thanks for reading.

Hi
Do you know what email address you used ? Please use [email protected] and I will look at your email ! Apologies that we haven't responded, surprising because emails come to only me or Alfie (Mark) and both of us give email a high priority and check in evenings and weekends.

Also, do talk to Integrated Automotive - We use their product because they are in the UK and support is great.

Some more questions, you say you have removed the IMI-1000 (which I assume you installed) are you still getting flickering ? The IMI can't power surge the video feed from COMAND to it - all it does is use a relay to switch between that feed and it's own (you can even hear the relay click). This could just be a failing lead between the COMAND and the IMI. My first suggestion would be to replace that video lead and see if flickering still occurs.

Do you still have the failed unit ? Send it to me and I will hook it up on the bench and see if the video output works when connected directly to a screen ..... The bench setup to make one of these work enough to really see any video flicker or issue is not trivial and I would be surprised if an independent Merc specialist would have one ....

You may well see a flicker when doing CarPlay and going into reverse - because the IMI is switching back from using it;s video to using the video coming from the head unit (i.e the relay switches over)

Cheers

Richard

 

[richard]

Hi
Do you know what email address you used ? Please use [email protected] and I will look at your email ! Apologies that we haven't responded, surprising because emails come to only me or Alfie (Mark) and both of us give email a high priority and check in evenings and weekends.

Also, do talk to Integrated Automotive - We use their product because they are in the UK and support is great.

Some more questions, you say you have removed the IMI-1000 (which I assume you installed) are you still getting flickering ? The IMI can't power surge the video feed from COMAND to it - all it does is use a relay to switch between that feed and it's own (you can even hear the relay click). This could just be a failing lead between the COMAND and the IMI. My first suggestion would be to replace that video lead and see if flickering still occurs.

Do you still have the failed unit ? Send it to me and I will hook it up on the bench and see if the video output works when connected directly to a screen ..... The bench setup to make one of these work enough to really see any video flicker or issue is not trivial and I would be surprised if an independent Merc specialist would have one ....

You may well see a flicker when doing CarPlay and going into reverse - because the IMI is switching back from using it;s video to using the video coming from the head unit (i.e the relay switches over)

Cheers

Richard

Ps, unsurprising we have fitted hundreds of these and not seen a head unit failure with one of these installed, so I still doubt the IMI is breaking the head unit - so I still suspect an issue with the cable and that is why I really would like to test the old head unit on a bench to see if it's video output has really failed ...... seen too many dealers and the odd independent claiming a head unit has failed when it has not.

R

 

[gotamerc303]

Hi Richard, thank you for replying to my post. I used the ‘contact us’ option on the website.
I’ll send it again using the contact you’ve provided above & yes, I still have the old comand unit. I have just sent an email to Intergrated Automotive, I’m awaiting their reply.

 

[gotamerc303]

Update to my original post.
Richard from Comand Online, has been in touch & is arranging to bench test my old Comand unit.
He suspects a video cable as the source of the fault. I’ve also had a reply from Intergrated Automotive, they too, don’t think there’s a switching problem causing a power surge & have recommended both the Comand unit & the IMI-1000 should be tested.
Many thanks to Richard for the superb after sales support.
More updates to follow.