W205 Dab reception and 12v socket problems

[Longfellow78]

Hi,

I have a 65 plate c220d

I noticed that my DAB radio reception is non-existent when my phone charger is plugged into the 12v socket, but when removed the reception is as normal.

I have noticed others complaining about this. As I need the phone to be my satnav, I wondered if this problem has been solved?

Does anyone know if it only occurs when something is plugged into that socket? Or does it happen if anything draws current from anywhere in the system.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[flowrider]

The problem is easily solved, buy a better 12v lead. This issue happens a lot with cheap quality phone and dashcam 12v power leads.

 

[Longfellow78]

Hi, thanks a lot for the reply. Do you mean the actual usb to mini USB charging cable itself, like a shielded one? Or the 12v adapter that plugs into the socket on the car?
Cheers!

 

[garycat]

You can test what is causing the problem using a USB powerpack battery to charge your phone via the cable, and then try the 12v adaptor to charge the powerpack. It is most likely the 12v/USB adaptor so change to a quality version like

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Cigarette-Lighter-Charger-PowerDrive-Black/dp/B07PGT7LSR/ref=pd_sbs_107_1/258-4247304-1952566?

or

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charger-RAVPower-Adapter-Chargers-2-port/dp/B00Q2GFP4M/ref=pd_sbs_107_2/258-4247304-1952566

I have one each of these in my C204 and the DAB is OK

 

[markjay]

On a very general note... a firmware update is always a good place to start.

The COMAND NTG5*2 (or Audio20?) unit on your 65 plate car was first introduced in late 2014, so there would have been quite a few software updates for it since - the system was only retired when the facelift was introduced in 2018.

 

[Nick Harper]

DAB can be susceptible to interference. I have a DAB clock radio with a USB port. If I charge my Apple Watch from the USB port, the DAB is heavily distorted.

 

[richard]

Most likely to be the little 12v -> USB adapter. We see this very regularly - cheap ones just blast out RF inteference and destroy the DAB signal around them.
- The iSimple adapters are good, buy one of those from Amazon, of if you are near Lightwater just pop in ..

R

 

[baxlin]

FWIW, I piggy-back fused my dashcam on my leased Lexus, and it rendered the DAB useless, but I was not alone in not knowing it was the dash cam causing it.....

The car went in vain to two Lexus dealers to solve the DAB problem, one even said that DAB reception was poor in their area anyway. Funnily enough though, it was perfect in the courtesy car.

It was only when I stripped the dashcam out at end of lease that I realised. Wish I’d seen this thread several years ago!

 

[Longfellow78]

Thanks for all the replies. I think it is the wireless QI charger itself that causes the interferance as it did the same DAB interferance with a battery power pack not connected into the car, but did not happen with a usb cable plugged from the 12v direct into the phone.

This leads me to the conlusion i is not the adapter, or the cable, but the charger itself. It's a bummer as it was expensive and works well