W211 COMAND Shuts Down

[chris116]

Hi all, My COMAND system (W211 MY 2005) shuts down after between 5 to 10 minutes the system display on the HU & dash then appears to freeze with no response from the HU or steering wheel after a while the the system then switches off. The system will not switch back on unless the car has been turned off for reasonable amount of time. When working all modes work perfectly Nav, CD, DVD, radio etc. Any ideas are most welcome I suspect an item breaking down in the MOST ring. Would fitting an upgrade HU work or not and would this be an easy fit? I ask because the Nav is a bit primitive using only part post code Many thanks in advance Chris

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

We had the same issue on the COMAND in our W164 ML. It got gradually worse and eventually caused a battery drain, and a flat battery, so I would suggest fixing or replacing it as soon as possible in case yours does the same.

I used Audi BMW Mercedes Porsche Rover sat navi navigation gps head unit in car audio stereo radio cd changer player repair service london to repair ours, and I was impressed with the service and cost. If I recall correctly it was around £160 for the repair, and it was return a week or so after I sent it.

I believe it was repaired almost immediately but it was left on test for a couple of days to make sure the issue did not return. Probably been using for 6 months or more and it still works a treat.

 

[Alfie]

Hi all, My COMAND system (W211 MY 2005) shuts down after between 5 to 10 minutes the system display on the HU & dash then appears to freeze with no response from the HU or steering wheel after a while the the system then switches off. The system will not switch back on unless the car has been turned off for reasonable amount of time. When working all modes work perfectly Nav, CD, DVD, radio etc. Any ideas are most welcome I suspect an item breaking down in the MOST ring. Would fitting an upgrade HU work or not and would this be an easy fit? I ask because the Nav is a bit primitive using only part post code Many thanks in advance Chris

It is most likely the AGW in your car.

Fitting a different head unit isnt straight forward as all the aerials and speaker wiring etc is in the boot, not at the head unit.

 

[chris116]

It is most likely the AGW in your car. Fitting a different head unit isnt straight forward as all the aerials and speaker wiring etc is in the boot, not at the head unit.

Thanks for that Alfie. The next question then is;
can I carry out any fault finding checks to confirm a faulty AGW?
Would a comand upgrade be possible?
Assuming the AGW is faulty does this have to be a direct like for like replacement or are other options available?
Many thanks in advance again
Chris

 

[Alfie]

Thanks for that Alfie. The next question then is;
can I carry out any fault finding checks to confirm a faulty AGW?
Would a comand upgrade be possible?
Assuming the AGW is faulty does this have to be a direct like for like replacement or are other options available?
Many thanks in advance again
Chris

You need to isolate the other fibre devices leaving just the AGW and the comand display unit on the loop. If it still fails then its the AGW. you need to replace it with a near identical one. New ones are not hugely expensive. circa £379.

 

[chris116]

Thanks for all the support received so far the guys at comand on line have been great. Now virtually decided to take the upgrade NTG2.5 comand option but I have a few potential complications.
The NTG1 comand fitted to the car turns out to be a retro fit by the PO so which wiring loom adaptor do I now need?
Do I uninstall the adapter loom which I assume would have been fitted on installing the NTG1 then fit the new NTG2.5 adapter loom to the original wiring? Is it possible to identify the original wiring from the NTG1 adapter wiring making removal straight forward (ish)
Or just fit a NTG1 to NTG2.5 adapter loom to the existing setup? but this seems like modifying a modification.
My gut feeling is to go for a complete uninstall then retrofit the new system to the original wiring.
Can anyone recommend a reputable indie dealer around the Sheffield Chesterfield area?

 

[Mondayo]

Hi Chris,
I can't help on the electrical front but I'm looking for a Merc specialist in Sheffield/Chesterfield too...as I've just bought a new (to me) S211.
Someone called B J Mason gets good reviews and is based near Heeley I think. If you find anyone else/better, can you let me know please.

Alex

 

[richard]

It depends on what your car had before !

If it had Audio-20-Cassette, or Audio-50-APS, both of those have the AGW in the rear, so there isn't anything to un-install.

If your car had Audio-20-CD, then i'd remove the installed long adapter loom (assuming thats how they did it), and put in the nice Audio-20-CD -> NTG2.5 adapter set that Comand Online sell

Cheers

Richard

 

[richard]

PS, as you have a S211, unclip the panel in the rear on the left, pull up the felt, and take a few photos and post them, i'll try and work out what you have / had. (and PM me your VIN)

R

 

[chris116]

Hi Ricard,
As a newbie I can't PM so I've sent an email to comand on line marked for your attention I this is Ok I've been in a thread with Mark regarding this but don't have a reference number

 

[chris116]

It depends on what your car had before ! If it had Audio-20-Cassette, or Audio-50-APS, both of those have the AGW in the rear, so there isn't anything to un-install. If your car had Audio-20-CD, then i'd remove the installed long adapter loom (assuming thats how they did it), and put in the nice Audio-20-CD -> NTG2.5 adapter set that Comand Online sell Cheers Richard

Ok that's sorted that out thanks again to the guys from comand on line. I need to uninstall the old long adapter loom then fit the new audio 20 CD to NTG2.5 adapter kit from comand

Next question is I was about to purchase the required comand head unit from an online dealer but have found out the unit is sold as "unlocked" without the lock code is this a problem in the making?
I've asked repeatedly for the code the reply is it's not required and it's common practice to sell used items without it and the unit won't request it after installation so won't cause any problems.
His online website shop looks genuine with many new and used in car accessories and good reviews.
Any thoughts on this please?

 

[chris116]

The latest reply is;
"There is no code. They are unlocked. The dealer can store the code once locking to your car vin.
But nobody does that, people usually install them unlocked to have the possibility to sell them or move to another car easier without locks etc."

Is this normal practice? I thought these units were anti-theft coded and so if the dealer can "store the code once locking to your VIN" does this mean there is a code available?

I think most of the units on flea bay are unlocked too. I just don't want to spend loads to finish up with a unit that can end up u/s or future dealers wont touch.

Many thanks for any thoughts or advice

 

[richard]

Currently, When you get a brand new COMAND unit from Mercedes, and do 'initial startup' properly using on-line Star Diagnosis, the pin code is loaded (by the diagnosis system) into the Mercedes VeDOK database, and recorded against your chassis number. When PIN code first appeared on COMAND units (2010), the Star Diagnosis system used to tell you the PIN code as you installed it also - I don't think this is still the case, but as it is in VeDOK that should be no problem.

Therefore you need to get that PIN code if you are going to put a Mercedes suppled unit into another car.

Before 2010, there were no pin codes on the units - i.e no anti-theft prevention.

It seems that those dealing in dodgy units have found a way to remove the anti-theft prevention and sell units that behave like the pre 2010 ones...

I guess if the seller says there is no PIN code, and it turns out there is then you are protected by eBay seller protection.

Cheers

Richard

 

[chris116]

Many thanks again for your help on this Richard.
when I enquired about Comand on line fitting my upgrade it was one of your colleagues who advised me to be persistent about the pin and that they may not fit without it particularly if the unit looks 'dodgy' This advice made me change my choice of purchase to avoid a potentially expensive 'brick'
Many thanks again

 

[richard]

Many thanks again for your help on this Richard.
when I enquired about Comand on line fitting my upgrade it was one of your colleagues who advised me to be persistent about the pin and that they may not fit without it particularly if the unit looks 'dodgy' This advice made me change my choice of purchase to avoid a potentially expensive 'brick'
Many thanks again

I think that was good advice. All used units, except very old units, should have a PIN. Unless someone has done something very dodgy to them.

Richard