Problem removing Comand in W208

[Dinizulu]

Hi,
I'm trying to remove the Comand unit from my 2000 CLK. I have the correct removal tool, but one (the left hand side) has engaged and locked in place, whilst the other refuses to lock or engage.

I now have a key sticking out of one side that I can't remove. Any suggestions as to why the other will not engage or how I can get the unit/key out without destroying anything?

 

[sjmaxwell]

Try jiggling it a bit!

I seem to recall that it happens on these

 

[Dinizulu]

No dice :-(

I've jiggled, twisted, turned, grappled, spoken to it nicely, shouted out at and even given it a very stern look - it just won't release to lock on the right hand side.

Is there any other way of getting this thing out?

 

[sjmaxwell]

Are you able to get the other side released and remove the unit to see what has happened as I recall this happening to me and after a bit of careful brut force it did release the key

 

[Dinizulu]

If I could get the unit out there wouldn't be a problem

I can release it at one side only, the other just won't play.

 

[richard]

The key will only release once the clip is pushed in at the side - i.e unit has to be out, there is a hole with some arrows point at it which you stick a pointy tool in and pull the key out.

I suspect the latch that isn't working is just a bit stuck. Put the other key in the correct way up and wiggle the unit side to side (very little wiggle room) - they are often hard to remove on W208

Richard

 

[Dinizulu]

I'll give that a go, but I'm not holding out much hope at the moment - could it be the cheapo ebay tool I bought? It went in fine on the other side.

 

[sjmaxwell]

The key will only release once the clip is pushed in at the side - i.e unit has to be out, there is a hole with some arrows point at it which you stick a pointy tool in and pull the key out.

I suspect the latch that isn't working is just a bit stuck. Put the other key in the correct way up and wiggle the unit side to side (very little wiggle room) - they are often hard to remove on W208

Richard

Or he's missed the release latch on that side or its been damaged previously!

 

[Dinizulu]

OK - wiggling did nothing. One side moves, the other stays firmly in place.

I think, given that the other key went in perfectly first time and given the number of times I've reinserted the key on the other side, I think it's unlikely I'm missing the catch.

A damaged catch on the other hand is a worrying possiblity. I've just got this car so don't know the unit's history.

There's got to be a way around this (I hope)

 

[sjmaxwell]

Just a thought but the unit is fully pushed back into the slot?

 

[Dinizulu]

I've tried pushed back and fully home as well as at various slight angles. The key is hitting some sort of resistance on its way in, then just slides all the way in without releasing anything or locking itself in place.

 

[sjmaxwell]

OK, So one key is engaged and the unit moves and the other key isn't so won't unclip that side. Until the unit is removed the key cannot be released.

You say they are after market keys and when you try it in the locked side it hits resistance and then passes through it but does not disengage the lock nor stay on the unit to slide it out.

Have you tried the key both ways in the unit?

Is the unit an after market fit in which case was the proper cage installed?

 

[Dinizulu]

Pretty sure the unit is standard as it has the roof aerial. Tried the key every which way. Anyone got one of these units on a bench can tell me the exact location of the locking lugs or whatever it is that's locks the unit into the cage?

 

[sjmaxwell]

Sorry i had to ask about the retrofit but i have known people when they have done this to not purchase the correct parts!

From memory the release is on the side of Comand. Basically pushing the key in makes it retract the metal lugs that stick out and lock into the cage. This mechanism is made of thin metal screwed to the side of the Comand unit so can be damaged although I've never heard it happen to fail like this, however I have experienced it being a little "difficult " to undo in the past.

It seems for whatever reason that your key isn't sliding in to the channel on that side to retract the lugs for some reason and as you have tried removing and reinserting it many times I would have thought by now it would have caught it. The mechanism is thin and is tight to the side of Comand so you could try inserting the key so that it is as close as possible to the side of the Comand unit

 

[sjmaxwell]

I've found an image of the side of the Comand unit showing the two lugs (out) You can see the slot the key travels in and the two holes Richard mentioned for releasing the key with the two arrows

 

[Dinizulu]

I've found an image of the side of the Comand unit showing the two lugs (out) You can see the slot the key travels in and the two holes Richard mentioned for releasing the key with the two arrows

Finally got the thing out - wish I'd seen this picture first, would have made it easier. I had to "persuade" it out by sliding putty knives down the side of the unit where the lugs are - not easy, trust me.

Turns out the problem was the two small lugs that engage with the holes on the key, one of them was bent and pushing the key above the lugs.

The key must engage these lugs - when you pull the key forward a slider pulls the retaining lugs in, releasing the unit.

Here's a picture of the reverse of one of the locking panels, showing the slider.

A picture of the front of the slider with the key fully inserted and engaged - note the lugs are still sticking out.

A picture of the front of the slider with the key pulled forward, showing how the slider pulls the lugs in to allow for the removal of the unit.

I'm sure none of this is news to most of you

I also found when experimenting with the unit out, once I'd straightened the lugs and inserted the key, it didn't take much the the key to slip off the lugs and come out - although that may because of the damage mine now has.

Thanks for all the help the on this.

 

[sjmaxwell]

Thats good news. I think I did say it was thin metal!!

 

[Dinizulu]

Thats good news. I think I did say it was thin metal!!

Indeed you did

This mechanism is made of thin metal screwed to the side of the Comand unit so can be damaged although I've never heard it happen to fail like this, however I have experienced it being a little "difficult " to undo in the past.

 

[sjubris]

wow,thats what im looking for.thx for pictures dinizulu